Summer is finally here. Some of us refuse to believe it and get ready for the next 40-degree-drop before our overlapping spring/summer season has a few last gasps. These early days of summer reflect the kind of life we have year-round, really. Yet, for those among us, whose busy seasons need both kinds of weather, this has been a long difficult, stop-and-start winter. Finally, every one of us is able to spend time outdoors, in town and out of town, trying to get the yards in shape with so little time before we hit the dry season and the only reprieve we get are the short afternoon monsoon rainstorms in the high country and the fires rev up all over the county. The reality we all face is the same, we just deal with it in different ways. Throughout the years, I got used to locals urging to me to come and “set a spell” with them.
By the time I was usually able to take time and hang out with someone else, the brief time I had allotted for any time besides work or family slipped through my fingers. I am finding that I am going out of my house purposely each day not only to see people but to hear them. They are back to getting their daily tasks accomplished while making small talk again with each and everybody they see or hear. As walking all over town continues to be my main form of transportation, I find it reassuring to see small talk thriving.
I have been so desperate to get back what I thought of as normalcy and I know that I have to return to my comfortable routine with a few changes. Realizing that small talk is never, ever too small. It always is what it appears to be on the surface. Short, predictable, and shows me that word I learned at an early age — empathy. I never had a problem before so I know I am still unable to hold back with some of my need to add to the conversation. I understand what I need to do to continue to feel comfortable in my own skin and go forward in every part of this community. Listen, really listen, which remains difficult these day. I continue to wear a mask for my own compromised health issues and taking care of members of my extended families over these past three years.
Everyone’s story is just as important as mine. Our stories and lives are all very different, but we have one thing in common still — we must share them with someone. Friendly signals given off by both children and adults when they are ready to share their experience with you are still the same. The places we share these short bits of communication are the same and are still happening in very public arenas. Everywhere, out in front of Pioneers Medical Center and hospital, in both back and the front of the entrances of the same old gathering spots, gas stations, coffee shops, restaurants and most of the small businesses that continue to hang on. Small talk is the only way to keep us sane and sensible. It is also serious business as we move forward. I am so glad to see our community getting down to a comfortable place for everyone. We seem to be “back to bidness.
By DOLLY VISCARDI – Special to the Herald Times
