A discussion shared yesterday with a friend went straight to the heart of why so many of the social norms we carry into adulthood have been tarnished by childhood. The discussion point centered around Catholicism. As the child of Irish catholics, lent always brought welcome relief from the drunken family tirades so often experienced under the veil of Divine intervention while sporting patent leather shoes.
My life today is unfortunately void of the family trama-dramas that forged most of my personality. The unfortunate part you ask? Where did you think the old adage "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" came from...dis functional families perhaps but why take the "fun" out of dis functional? Parish the thought.
I still seek a shared vision of community, just not sure how to re create the vision.. Remember those delicious mushrooms we dabbled with in the early 80's? Certainly liked THAT vision but alas the only people to embrace that particular culture had the whole drug culture monkey on it's back. Not a great community to ingratiate oneself into.. The Episcopalians seem to be on the right track-open to individualism, embracing women and gays. Hey! What a concept, makes me wanna be a part of something so tolerant.
Dante's Inferno spoke to me the first read thru when I was 14 years old. A recent re read made me even more confidant that he was on to something really bold. I like bold.
So with Lent approaching, I will light a candle for Buddha, say a hail Mary or two, and toss down a few martini's to celebrate all thoughts and deeds Dante. Covering ones spiritual bases can't hurt right? See me sporting a forehead smudge this Wednesday? Never.
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