270 (particularity)

270. Backbone -that trite word. Where does it come from? For me, from loved ones -- their voices, their faces. (Elaine's voice, Isaiah's face, mom and dad and Ruth's voices, seeing the aunts... Recalling times with my good friends.). From particularities of a relational, personal kind, see. And why "backbone"? Because purpose. Because responsibility ... to them. ... I think of this as my emotions are flung all over the place by Bill McKibben's latest book -so dire, I had not yet read anything so dire. But the disaster books don't do a good job of starting us from particularity, and so they promote some hysteria that shouldn't be there, I mean, not if we're going to be responsible. That's the thing that's going to keep me going when the economy goes mad from climate change disasters and oil market collapse -a voice, a face. Don't laugh. Or, do. I'll remember you and why life's worth living when your face breaks into joy.