The Briar Philosopher - April Showers and Touchstones (Free Access)

Well, y’all, it seems the April Showers took themselves a little too seriously so far this month. I know they say they bring May Flowers but I think they got confused as there were some spots down Clover Bottom that I’m pretty sure could have floated the Mayflower itself. I don’t mean to make light, of course. A lot of people throughout the state are hurting pretty bad, including folks I know in Frankfort. A dear friend, Barbara Murray who used to work for the Sun back in the day was out this morning coordinating efforts to evacuate a couple whose home was surrounded by water but who were reluctant to leave because they had no way to take their pets with them. She got busy and by the end of the morning, the couple and pets had all been evacuated to safe ground. I am very proud of her efforts and of the efforts of all those who have pulled together to help those around them. Another dear friend who recently moved to a house on the Kentucky River had his home flood for the second time this year. The first time it didn’t get into the house. This time the house was half submerged even before the river crested. He did get his most precious items out in time but the house will be a total loss. Though a rental, he dearly loved living there. One hopes the Landlord will be compensated for his loss and renters insurance will cover the items our friend lost.

Right here in Jackson County, our EMS aided in helping a Hospice worker reach folks who were cut off by flood waters so they could get the medical care they needed. There are heroes all around us and most of them are unsung so let's sing their praises whenever we hear of them. We spotlighted some of our local front-line heroes a couple of weeks ago. Be sure and thank them if you see them out and about. The most unsung of them all are our dispatchers. Be sure and thank them should you need to call. 

On another note, I know that those of you “of a certain age” will remember folks carrying what they called “touchstones” in their pockets for various reasons. Some would carry small stones that were good for rubbing when you were anxious or just stewing on something or the other. Some carried buckeyes for good luck or marbles or something like that. It was just something you could reach for and touch. I think it gave folks a sense of “grounding,” bringing them back to themselves when their minds might have wandered or focus might have been lost. 

I myself took up the habit at a young age, probably because Grandpa carried one and I thought he was the coolest human being that ever walked the earth. I did keep the habit, though it’s not a constant thing. I carry one when I’m not feeling all that great about things that are going on around me or when I know a stressful situation is upon me. In this day and age, there is a lot to stress about so I tend to carry one frequently. My “stone” of choice of late had been either the 9,000-year-old spear point I found on my property in Florida or a 2,000-year-old pottery shard that came from the rivers down there. I suppose I chose these things because they remind me that 2 thousand or 9 thousand years from now, no one will even remember the things that seem to cause me such stress in the here and now. The touchstones help me keep things in perspective and keep me from despairing when there is so much to deal with and worry about. 

One of the things we’re worrying about at present is Social Security. I know most folks around here are saying it’s much ado about nothing and there’s nothing to worry about but it’s hard not to worry with all the personnel cuts and changes going on. The Boy’s brother, Tommie, is now drawing his social security and without it I don’t know how we could afford to take care of him. He had a stroke over 20 years ago and the Boy promised his mother that Tommie would never be put in a nursing home and he would care for him for the rest of his life. That’s a promise we intend to keep so we hold our breath every month until we know his check is in the bank. Hopefully, all the uncertainty will settle out and we’ll know for sure what is going to happen going forward. We’ll be very glad if it is indeed much ado about nothing. Things change all the time and we’re both very good at adapting to them. We try to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. 

Of course, not all touchstones are actual stones or even carried in a pocket. Some folks have other ways to keep themselves grounded and to reduce situational anxiety. From lucky socks to little rituals like drinking out of a favorite cup, we often find ways to ground ourselves in the here and now and put other things in perspective. These are coping mechanisms but, unlike some coping mechanisms, they are not fraught with negativity or potential for harm. 

So, keep that touchstone in your pocket or in your mind as the days go by. If you don’t have one, holler, I’ve got a stone or two to spare from my collections.