Mibes:
Hey before you say a single word, I want a hug.
Me:
(giving the hug, speaking no words)
Mibes:
Good morning! That’s a great start to my morning. How are you?
Me:
Better than I was one minute ago, thanks, and you?
Mibes:
Happy to be alive and to be with you on a Sunday morning in December. On a
famous day. Or perhaps I should say infamous.
Me:
December 7, 1941. My mom said she remembered President Roosevelt on the radio
the day after.
Mibes:
(pulling out his phone) Amazing. I was looking at Roosevelt’s comments before
you arrived.
Me:
Is that why you brought it up? We don’t usually talk about history. Or current
events for that matter.
Mibes:
Here’s what caught my eye: “We will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost,
but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again
endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our
people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.”
Me:
Wow. I didn’t realize that he used the words “never again” reaching forward
into the future.
Mibes:
And that two word sentence: Hostilities exist.
Me:
That does reach into current events. Our racial divide.
Mibes:
And to life itself. We fight against dehydration, starvation, too much exposure
in terms of winter or too much isolation, sometimes in terms of even our
interactions with ourselves.
Me:
Alienation isn’t just about groups.
Mibes:
(silence with intense eye contact)
Me:
Thank you for caring, Mibes. Thank you for being here.
Mibes:
You’re welcome my friend, but remember I get just as much you do from our
friendship. Maybe more.
Me:
I don’t believe it. But I’m glad you do.
Mibes:
Enjoy your Sabbath. (giving me a hug)
Me:
Love you, Mibes.
Mibes:
Love you more.
