Beautiful creatures in a
pseudo natural environment. Blue green feathers, brown and tan-tinted skin,
trunks, manes and gills fill the exhibits. Glass, fences, rope swings keep them
in. In a place to be observed by hundreds a day, thousands a week, millions a
year. Zoo animals. Captivating membership and field trips since the ancient
kings had menageries.
Somedays I can relate to the polar bears, giraffes and
baboons trapped in zoos around the world. Kids sit on my open doorstep or stand
on chairs to peer in. Just staring. Like my natural moments are worthy of study
and observations. I write letters. They watch. I make lunch. They watch. I read
a book. They watch.
Like the
giraffe, elephant and other larger animals I occasionally leave my room to walk
out in the open. My movements are watched by many. Some goggle as I twirl kids.
Some call out "forgengi" to see if I will turn my head. Many just
stare.
Some days it becomes a feeling I can't escape. Like the fish that know
eyes are following it wherever it goes or does. Sometimes I'm like a chimp who
still has fun, forgetting the people pointing or talking about it.
My new
analogy of life? It's a zoo. Sometimes you do the watching and other times you
are being watched. You adapt to new environments. Sometimes you are surrounded
by similar creatures, other times you are a penguin surrounded by peacocks.
But in the midst of different colors, cultures, habits one thing remains. The
zookeeper cares and provides for all. He recognizes and appreciates the
uniqueness of differences. He watches with a protective, caring, genuine
interest.
So, I may be different. I may be in a new environment. But we all
are, in one way or another. "This world is not my home." Good thing
the keeper of my life has everything under control.
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