James Joyce once wrote of the little sacraments of everyday life. I get the impression that you, madam, understand that. For you, perhaps, every meal is a sacrament.

A sad part about American life is that the little sacraments have turned into a meaningless ritual, or at worst, a thoughtless, automatic habit.

Habits can comfort us, but not fulfill us.

Living in another culture forces you to think about life’s rdinary, mundane things. The stuff that creates our daily lives, and ever so subtly, confirms our view of the world.

Japanese often complain that their rituals of etiquette are so numerous and silly that they’ve become meaningless. I wonder if that’s really true; in most cases, at least those rituals force you, consciously, to think about those around you, and how you affect them.

Maybe the Fedex guy calling ahead was a little sacrament of everyday life. A habit of his, to be sure, but one which honoured you. Ritual respect, like the gift a Japanese would carry on the rare occasion he is invited into someone’s home.

The walk around DelRay showed that you bring back to Virginia a foreigner’s eye. Not taking the ordinary for granted. Does it not seem new again to you? For how long?

Has your experience abroad opened your eyes to some truths about home? Forced you to think about things you used to do without thinking? Forced you to reassess what’s valuable and what isn’t?

Celebrate your sacraments where you find them.

HB8

P.S. Many thanks for your kind email. A punishing work schedule kept me from blogging and reading as often as I’d like. I intend to catch up over Christmas.

Madam says: Well, holy hell dude, now that’s a comment. Too much to think about and answer at once, some future blog posts will cover some of these questions. Thanks so much for the inspiration.