The topic of one of my college courses taken many years ago
was “Utopia.” The class came to believe
after many readings and discussions that utopia, at best, is a short-lived
phenomenon. Jump forward 18 years, and I
now beg to differ. In this world of
people wanting precise definitions and everyone being on board to having
the same definition, I again accept
being the odd (wo)man out.
As most who know me know, I spend a portion of my year on the
east coast and the remainder in WY in our permanent residence. Due to a family marriage, my 4-month stint
(stretched into five) was done earlier than usual this year, giving me the full
summer indulgence of being bordered with the ocean on the east, bay on the
west, and large pond on the north of me.
(That alone is utopia to the lady who opts to be a dolphin in her next
life.)
During this year’s stay, I
had conversations and experiences with a few friends that caused me to look
deeply at my life from several angles. Older
friends reminded me that life is short, and gets shorter every day, so enjoy
what I can. A couple other friends reminded
me that there can be stagnation and unwanted compromise and submission as years
roll by.
Having always felt blessed by people who have come into or
even just crossed my path prompted me to bring to my husband my desire to spend
more time in the east coast residence these next two years. Luckily, he understands my love for this
environment equals his love for the mountains and the western way of life and
supports my desire as it will include back-home trips in-between the times he
opts not to join me in the east.
A few people are fascinated by this. But the bottom line resides in the fact that
the more I am granted freedom by people who surround me, the more attached I
remain to them. That’s not to say I shun
what I consider responsibilities any person in a relationship -- despite what
kind of relationship that might be -- should uphold. But it does mean cherishing the love that
allows someone else to let me experience people, places and things that are
important to my mind, body and soul. Through love, I grant the same to others.
Utopia? I’ve found it
because, for me, it lies in the quality of circumstances and people that/who
surround me. Family members and friends
guide me, my husband and people I care about give back to me the freedoms and
respect I give them, and I remain involved with groups that throughout life
help me make the changes in and about myself that need changing so I can better walk the walk I talk. Being forever impressed by and with the
universe and basically thankful has certainly brought Utopia into my life permanently.
Copyright ©
September 2015 by Maeke Ermarth
Ocean City, Maryland
