No Hard Feelings

Sometimes I think the world is so angry these days. Well, not sometimes . . . most of the time. It takes a lot of effort and attention to remember that there is so much good in the world. But sometimes, that goodness just jumps out in front of you. For instance, the other day, when I was frightened about "THE MEMO" and what it might do to our security, I engaged in an unrelated conversation with some old friends. Trish and Joey were students of mine back in the day, and Joey has painted my condo for me. We are working out a schedule for him to paint one more room. I'd inquired as to how Joey had spent his recent birthday, and Trish told me that they spent the day painting for two lovely women who'd been ripped off by a contractor. The women had paid $1500 for painting that never happened. So Joey did the job . . . but he would not take payment from them. In Joey's way of thinking, they'd already paid for the work (that the contractor had not done). And then, because Joey is Joey, he also took care of their damaged roof and then pressure-washed their driveway.

Needless to say, that story made my day. For a brief moment, it counteracted all the anger in the world. I am reminded of Mr. Rogers telling his TV audience something his mother had always told him. "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" Joey and Trish are helpers.

This weekend, I watched the HBO music documentary, May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers. I've loved the Avetts for years and got to see them in New Hampshire in 2013. Lots of energy in that show! But the brothers have a pensive side, too. At the end of the documentary, they performed a song from their 2016 release, True Sadness. The song is "No Hard Feelings," and it's a contemplation of dying in old age, a compelling subject for relatively young men. Seth Avett sings the song with harmonizing vocals by Scott Avett. It's a beautiful song.

No hard feelings
Lord knows they haven't done much good for anyone
Kept me afraid and cold
With so much to have and hold

At the end of the song, Seth repeats this line four times: I have no enemies.

I, of course, immediately questioned if I have any enemies. Of course, I know that there are people who do not like me. I would think that is true for all of us. But enemies? I could not think of any. And I thought what a great way for each of us to end our lives . . . with no enemies. Shouldn't be that hard, should it?

So here's to soft feelings! And here's to the helpers! And here's to your team winning tomorrow! And if they don't, no matter . . . it's just a game.

No hard feelings.