Writings: See it. Call it.

“Look out! It’s a deer!”

As I pulled around the corner in the wooded part, just outside of Nanaimo, BC, my friend’s words drew my eye to the crouching, then bounding doe who suddenly jumped from the side of the road in the dusk. I slowed, and just missed her flank as she bounced by.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure if you saw her,” she placed her hand on my arm as I downshifted.

“No, I’m glad you told me. I saw her, but what if I hadn’t? It’s good to have a warning, and an extra set of eyes. Keeps me from hitting things. No, I was gonna tell you thanks.”

Don’t you think that’s the way it works? Most of us don’t really like being told what to do. It makes us jump if someone just yells a warning, and sometimes it’s kinda annoying, because you can see it & don’t need the warning…but isn’t it nice, sometimes, when it keeps you out of a jam?

And there’s all kinds of things people warn us about.

“Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” It’s the intention & good will, isn’t it. I’ve never seen anyone call the exterminator when told this.

“Be careful.” Usually doesn’t mean I think you’re dangerous with a death wish. Usually means I hope you come back in one piece.

“Watch out…she’s in a bad mood.” Depends on who it is. It may mean: “You need to be funnier than usual,” but usually it means, “Let me do the talking. You be quiet.” And the tiptoeing on eggshells begins.

“Do you like dogs?” Usually they ask as the dog plants her front two on your chest & licks your face. Or something. More of a post-warning, really, in that case.

What’s really useful, I think, is when the “warning” becomes inbred, built-in good sense, so that the next time you drive a road with lots of deer, or hang around a perpetually grumpy grandma,  or you see someone with a jumpy dog, you have hardwired a useful, ready-to-use response.

But be sure & say so. If you see something, say so. It doesn’t help to be thinking it, and have it happen without your help. Say so. It’s a way to share & to heal. Often as not, being quiet, especially as the tune of “I really don’t want to bother them” plays in our head, really does bother folks.

So, sing out. I want to hear you.

Loving you,
Brother Ian