Fire and Smoke

Well, we started the weekend out with morning burning on Friday evening. I was thinking about writing about fire as a meditation tool, and comparing it to doing candle shen (qi gong). Then there was the observation that the fire in the backyard a few days ago burned so easily and quickly, and a lot seemed to be accomplished in a short time. The fire on Friday was slow and arduous to start and to keep going, and the amount that i perceived to be burning was much less than the previous time. Hence, there was a comparison and thought between a quick combustion and a slow burn. Interesting.

Saturday morning came early. I came downstairs and looked over at Sam and thought, "shit". His face was puffed and red to the point where one eye was swelling close. Anyways, after a few telephone calls and a peruse on the internet, i made the decision to take him into the emergency room. Once there, we encountered a fairly full waiting room, including a family w/seven kids. I have no idea why they all where there and why they all had to be seen. Hopefully they were all alright and their parents knew better than to use an emergency room as a doctor's office.

We were seen in fairly good time - perhaps an hour. We received the prescriptions and were back home before noon. The afternoon was spent at the pool.

This morning, we went back to the pool, only to find that a lifeguard hadn't shown up. So, I'm wresting with the responsibility issue. There were lots of parents who had dumped off their kids - no lifeguard, and a few adults. Although i used to be certified as a lifeguard and can still swim fairly well and long, I don't want to be held accountable for children whose parents don't feel accountable - but in fact, I still do feel like I am responsible.

Lately, though, i have not been able to do much of anything about anything. It's frustrating, but I'm learning to just sit back and watch things unfold. Part of this is like sitting and listening to someone and not offering my opinion unless it's asked for. Part of this is standing by and watching people's interaction. It's another thing to sit by and watch someone drown. However, if they are adults or children of adults who are not taking responsibility, is it still my obligation to step in, or do i observe and let things unfold?

I came home. Hopefully, the lifeguard will show up.