THE TOP OF THE WORLD

On 6/20/11 I visited Hammerfest, Norway, purportedly the northernmost city in the world. There the Museum of Reconstruction documents the almost total destruction of the town by the retreating Germans in 1944. Only the small funeral chapel remained. It strikes me that back in the USA I was worrying about studying and proms. Question: What is the advantage of ignorance of the suffering of others?

It was relaxing on the Holland America Line’s cruise of the Norwegian fjords to hear so little news – only the basics in the daily New York Times summary. In fact, I find that I’m choosing music over news on public radio now that I’m home. But in Hammerfest in 1944 the focus was on working together to restructure their town and lives. In fact, it’s interesting to note that it’s the Museum of Reconstruction, not the Museum of Destruction – emphasis on the positive -- cooperation.

What if we all allowed ourselves to be aware of the events of the world: slavery, poverty, unjustified imprisonment and torture, mass murder of populations, prejudicial treatment, pollution of our world, enforced ignorance? Would we find it intolerable? Or would we be more cooperative in working to reconstruct?

HOLD ALL CALLS. JUNG WAS RIGHT

My brain is swollen tight up against my skull, and my heart is about to break my ribs. No. It’s not a medical emergency. It’s just time to retreat to my introvert for some recovery time. I’ll tell you why, and then I’m withdrawing until I feel like getting back into the extraverted fray again.

Swollen heart. I spent time this past week with my college roommate and her husband – in Maine. Even had a whole lobster, gift of other Maine friends. Overlooking the water, of course. Oh, and a brief swim in a very cold lake. But it’s the friendship that counts. And that continued with a trip to New London for a Connecticut College reunion. (It was Connecticut College for Women then.)

We don’t look like our yearbook photos any more, and widowhood is almost as common as toothpaste, but zoom in close and there is community warmer even than it was when we graduated. “Wise Women” was the theme, and that we should be – lots of experience to ripen us. “Mrs. Job” and my forgiveness books were included in a signing at the bookstore. No surprise – I was the oldest author there, but in the group attending were rows of the CC scarves that mark our class. Would that everyone could have such a rich store of friends. OK. So much for the heart.

As for the swollen brain, I’ve been deep into getting to know my magical website – still not released to the public, but the work of some very clever people. I have more to do on my part, but I need time out. Remember Jung’s opposites? Every once in a while the extravert has to retreat for replenishment. I’ll be back before too long with the bells and whistles (well, sort of) of my new web site.