Annual conferences are a thing of the past for me. I don’t remember when I stopped going, or even why. Being with crowds of people no longer appeals to me. I now live in the smallness of things.
Several years ago a row of one-story businesses around the corner from my townhouse, including a two-story car garage that extended to just behind my backyard fence, was scheduled for demolition. A seventeen-story apartment building was to replace the little businesses. We, the inhabitants of the townhouses, were distraught over the impending loss of light and our view of the city skyline. I had recently experienced the sudden loss of vision of my left eye and was adjusting to a new way of seeing. There was a lot of change all at once.
Brick walls were the first to go in the demolition process. I walked over to the lot to investigate and found the man who was re-moving the bricks talking to the manager of the wrecking crew. I learned that the bricks were destined for New Orleans to become part of rebuilding the city after the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina. I spent two years in New Orleans when I was in college there. I visited the city shortly after the hurricane as a concerned friend to see how everyone was doing. I marveled at the recycling of my neighbor’s torn-down bricks in the process of rebuilding the city.
I don’t have to leave home to participate in events of the universe. They arrive at my door. It only takes opening my eyes to what is going on around me.
poetrybyheart.me 
I too have experienced conferences, until this year. I missed the camaraderie, the shared experiences (good and bad) the highs and the lows and most of all the laughter. I can fit myself into your post – minus the boxes. Thank you for helping me re-live those day at conference.
Your comment helped me get in touch with the things you miss about conferences. I got so wrapped up in my long view I forgot the inter-personal experiences. Thanks.
New eyes, new scenery!
Thanks. I really gave up on my old voice. Your comment helps restore faith in believing I have a voice.
You said so much in just a few words about how life changes, and how small things become important. With the phone, email, and Skype we can keep up quite well with people and not have to attend actual events. I feel the same way as you do about those things. In your story I love how the bricks were going to NO. Here’s to your new voice!
Thanks so much.
I love that the bricks were going to be recycled. I had no idea they do things like that. I wonder if it was only because of the need to rebuild New Orleans or if that is common practice. I like the possibility that it is.
I enjoyed reading your post.
I also like the possibility of “free” recycling. In this case the bricks were recycled as a business transaction. They were fairly old and just what a contractor in New Orleans wanted. And when I told my townhouse neighbors that the bricks from the demolition were going to New Orleans to help in rebuilding, they felt better about the new development going on next to our homes.