The Continuing Journey

A poem by Marge Piercy entitled “To Be of Use” begins—–

“The people I love best

jump into work head first

without dallying in the shallows

and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.”

Indeed, I agree and that’s how I like to think of myself as well. However, recently I’ve been hampered by a injured ankle for which I’m wearing a heavy orthopedic boot to stabilize it until it heals. This is causing me to “dally in the shallows” where I’m not used to being. I’m used to getting around with ease and accomplishing the tasks that I enjoy in my home and in the community I live in. This clumsy boot unbalances me, gets in the way and tires me out dragging it around all day, despite the fact that it it enables me to move about without pain or the risk of further injury.

I enjoy in our community a responsibilty for a second hand shop for residents and staff to both recycle uneeded goods and to acquire needed items for practically no cost. Keeping all the accumulating wares in order requires a great deal of moving about, lifting, carrying and sorting. It is good physical work with a purpose and it brings joy to others. It is useful work. It is an enjoyable activity for those of us who work at it and it is appreciated by others.

I must admit that my dedication to this work has become somewhat obsessive. Though it is purely a volunteer job I treat it much as I did any work I ever did before I retired many years ago. I try to spend time there every day to keep on top of the incoming goods and to be sure that the shelves look attractive and appealing. I awake in the morning thinking of the things I need to do there and eager to get into the work.

So it was with nagging frustration that I sat by the other day while others busied themselves at the work that I was used to doing. I had tired quickly from the minimal work that I was able to do in my limited condition and I sat watching them carrying on with the enthusiasm and agility that I usually brought to the work. I felt useless—–totally useless—–surrrounded by busy bees doing work that I normally do with ease.

Like many of us I grew up with parents who kept me on task with responsibilities in our home, in school and in the community. So many times as I sat reading or watching TV or just day dreaming I was admonished to “Get off your duff and be of some use!” Such early parental demands echo for me into my 84th year as I strive to still be relavent even as my energy and strength diminish. I and my friends still want to be of service in whatever setting we find ourselves. We say it “keeps us young”. We might have been heavily committed to high powered jobs in our younger years and were far more than just useful in the world we inhabited. Or, our work might have been simpler but meaingful and needed in a relatively small circle of associates and dependants. So, whatever bits of responsible work we might do now have the same degree of importance and value to us, but in a smaller, unique universe.

What gets forgotten in our world these days is that it is quite honestly important to be useful to ourselves. A very active and responsible member of our community was heard asking an older less able neighbor “So, what are you doing for our community?” The neighbor thought for a minute and replied, “I wake up to hear the birds, I listen to music, I am joyful.” That is useful living! she is doing what she wants to do and what she is able to do at her age. She is appreciative of the music she hears and what’s outside her window and that is quite enough. She enjoys the beauty of nature and the creativity of others. No more is expected. No more is needed.