Howdy true believers,
What's new? I'm doing really well. I'm doing so well that even when something bad happens, it somehow turns into something good. Like last weekend, at a big multi-day party-campout on a beach not so far from from Santa Cruz...well, I'll just let you read the letter I wrote to a couple dozen friends after I got back home. Check it out:
dear ones,i’d like to share how i feel about having had my stuff stolen at the beach sunday morning. it might surprise you. for those of you who weren’t there, or only heard about it third hand, here’s a quick summary: i left my backpack & cooler sitting at the door of andrea’s tent saturday night. i last saw it around 3am. at 7:30am, as a few of us came back from lounging on the beach, i saw my backpack was gone. among the contents were all my keys (car, house, work, etc.), my camera & memory cards, a fine selection of [stuff], sunglasses, headlamp, [other stuff], blahblahblah.
all it took was a quiet word from me, and kelly, holly, andrea & todd were totally on it, searching everywhere. by the time holly, kelly & i came back from the office (to report it, and tell them not to let the thief steal my car from the upper lot), todd & andrea had my pack—found behind the porta-potties, contents all dumped out. everything of value was gone. these four scoured the area—a pretty nasty location, too—mainly looking for my keys, in the undergrowth, picking through the trash cans, everywhere. word was spread, and others went on the lookout, and offered me support.
i’m pretty good at separating what’s really important from what isn’t, so i was never really too upset about any of this. it was bad news for the community, knowing that someone was around who would do this. and i was tallying up in my head what a pain in the ass it would be to replace all my keys, plus the loss of all the other stuff. but at the same time, here i was, in the company of friends who were COMPLETELY with me. i’m not used to needing help, or asking for help, and when it came, with such selflessness and love, it surprised me. i really wasn’t expecting it. and you know what it did? it lifted me up, up way higher than the loss had taken me down. it’s true!
the worst part of a loss like this is feeling that you’re alone in it. and this time, i never felt alone, not for one moment. the support i got was complete, and it was really moving to me. when i gave up searching and sat down in a camp chair, i was recalling the sight of kelly, picking through a trash can in the early morning light—for me! and just then, carnen came over to me & said, “sweetie, can I get you anything? something to eat, something to drink, anything?”—i had this overwhelming sensation, of ABUNDANCE.
i know, you were just doing what you do! and yes, i know i’d do it for you, too. to know it is one thing, but to feel it like I felt it sunday morning…well, you all won me over in a whole new way.
and so now i can tell you what would’ve probably sounded crazy without first offering the story above: having my backpack stolen was the best experience i’ve ever had at [this location].
thank you all. i’m feeling it deeply.
with love, jason
Two other things: First, what I didn't mention is that these fine folks had been up all night when this happened—not a time when you'd expect people to make such a generous effort. But they did! Shoot, I was almost too exhausted to care myself. Second, did you know that a locksmith can fabricate a new key to your car, on the spot? On the Sunday morning before July 4? In the middle of nowhere? Yes, with money, all things are possible. :-)