Dropped in on Sam this (yesterday) morning to plan a countryside drive this weekend. We got to talking about “belonging” and he asked me how long I’d been in Vermont – wouldn’t you know it was my ten-year anniversary! A solid decade. That means I’m on the verge of setting a longevity record – we lived in Denver for about 10 years when I was a kid (aged 4-14). Wow.
Sam noted some of the characteristics of Vermonters, concluding that “we’re direct, but we get things done quietly.” I thought that was an appropriate motto for starting to facilitate the mentoring grant project today…but when I told Sam I was going to work on accomplishing directness in a quiet fashion he said, “I doubt it.” Alas! My personality precedes me. 
The trouble with indirectness is that in some venues it just doesn’t translate. For instance, I think Sam’s desire to have me write about him here is not only that old friends and family read “the news,” but that they actually engage with each other (through the comments function). And, what do you want to bet he wouldn’t mind it if he made new friends this way? Or at least got somebody thinking about something…I suspect (because Sam certainly hasn’t said anything so blatant) that being published on the web is an act of life for Sam. It’s a way of asserting the fact that he IS still thinking, feeling, curious, engaged, and caring, even if his body is crapping out on him. He wants to do what he has always done – bring people together to share their experiences in stimulating ways.
Discussions about family have been percolating lately. For me, because in so many ways I feel without family – not the kind that gives that rooted sense of belonging. So I’m always seeking connections in other places. Which connections/needs can family fulfill, and which can (perhaps should, or need to) be satisfied elsewhere?
The mentoring grant meeting went all right today, I guess. It was grueling setting the schedule, but we got it done and responded to technical and methodological concerns that were raised. The turnout was great – yahoo! Hopefully the momentum will build and energize us all. Its going to be a consuming project for me and Li for the next 9 weeks, there’s no doubt! (Then we’ll get a break until the massive editing push in January.)
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