Cornucopia

The words that follow were written by the hands, the mind, and the heart of my friend Robert, or “Robere” as we know him in the community. Everybody needs a friend like Robere.

I am blessed with plenty — in the world where billions go without. While the meaning of life may be elusive, nonetheless it seems it must include joy and beauty. Otherwise, how are we to make sense of such things as a familiar tune that sets our foot a tapping; a baby’s smile that warms our heart; a sunset that fills us with awe — all ephemeral yet providing riches beyond count.

Thus, I choose to dedicate a portion of my riches to the joyful celebration of life and an appreciation of its many beauties on behalf of those who are not so richly blessed. I choose to become duty bound to experience joy in what might otherwise seem mundane.

The simple things I might take for granted — entering my home; eating a meal; drinking clean water; lying in my warm bed; all take on new and celebratory significance. All become sacramental acts and evidence of my sacred pledge to others, that I will enjoy my bounty as their ambassador to a world from which they are not yet included.

By recognizing I live in a heaven that others can only dream of, I consecrate my every fortune and action. In doing so I raise my life to a level of holiness shared with those of the cloth who by choice go without and those who without choice can only wish such bounty lies somewhere to be enjoyed by someone. Here is that somewhere. I am that someone.