There Is A

I’ve been ill.

Fortunately, not seriously, but I became one of the countless victims of the 2020 version of flu, virus, or whatever name the current terminology has given this annual malady. .

While feeling unwell is never pleasant, there are a few pluses. While recuperating and far too weak to clean a closet, or in my case, unpack from a trip, or even converse via phone or FaceTime, there were privileges.

One distinct one was streaming a current documentary on “A Death In Central Park” which provided insight into a story that gripped NYC during the 80’s. As I watched the screen flicker throughout all six chapters of this sad saga, I thought about many things.

I remembered where I was during the years the narrative was emerging describing culture in The Big Apple. And then I remembered, a few of my own mistakes (not criminal,) but lacking wisdom and kindness and yes, common sense.

And as the various voices spoke on the screen telling their version of the story, I wondered about those who traveled with me on our own quite different journey at that time if not place.

I wondered where their paths had taken them in this vast universe. Had they emerged intact into middle age and then progressed to the peaceful world of seniority?

Had they found happiness, elusive as it may be for anyone?

Had they suffered? If so, I hope it was short term and resolved.

And slowly as the cough abated, and strength returned, I once again began to forget the many others who knew and traveled with me at a different juncture in life.

While feebly I attempted to keep them intact in memory, they slowly ebbed back into the softness of yesteryear, and I admitted that was as it should be. I knew it was now time to recover, clean a closet, unpack a suitcase and emerge into a world of today.

“To every time there is a season

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.”