VIGIL AUNTIES: Celebrating Success
Looking beyond all the mud-slinging, expressions of mistrust and playing the blame game of past months, I still see people who really care about the survival of their community. Local issues have never been so urgent and time does not seem to be on our side to find and implement solutions.
“Sometimes when things fall apart, they are actually falling into place.”
This is a quote that I particularly HATE – when I am going through a personal crisis. I will put a lot of energy into resisting the idea that there is a good side to what I can only see as a bad situation.
It just seems to take time before you can appreciate the good side. Until then, there’s a lot of wailing and flailing to go through. It seems to be a necessary part of the healing process. If it wasn’t so darned embarrassing, frightening and humbling, one might be able to enjoy a crisis, now and then – for the new freedoms and opportunities it often brings (the good side of things falling apart).
The difference between an individual’s personal crisis and an entire community crisis is the sheer number of people involved – with all the diversity of dreams, beliefs, world views, thinking style, history, lifestyle, etc… It’s only natural that the wailing and flailing will be volatile and seemingly “out-of-control” with so many hearts and minds – all out for survival. Like so many other animal species, humans will ramp up their need for control as part of self-preservation. Consequently the urge is to attack whatever we perceive as a threat. Takes time and courage to check out our perceptions.
The danger of going too deep in the turmoil is that we forget or downplay what we are doing well.
Lest we forget, “Celebrate what you want to see more of.”
The Vigil Aunties gathering on Saturday, May 25 will honor the success of the Gathering of the Scots annual event. This festival, among other great local festivals, is a classic example of how rural communities can forge out new directions and opportunities – from the ground up. Congratulations to Roddy MacIntosh and company! Your success is our success.
Due to longer daylight hours, the campfire will be lit at 9:00pm. Should there be a ban order on open fires at that time, another form of lighting will be used.
Wearing something plaid or other Scottish related accessories is encouraged, but not mandatory. There will be some prizes awarded to those who wish to partake in some light-hearted competitions such as Best Scottish Joke delivery, Most Impressive Bag-Pipe Impersonation, Most Memorable Scottish Accessory and other such silliness. The prizes will be worth the effort to compete for (not being Scottish, I will spend money on these prizes!!).
There are many other events going on in the area on that day and I hope that many of you will choose to end the day at the Vigil Aunties gathering to engage in some friendly conversation in the spirit of fun, in the fresh air on a moonlit night.
Francine St.Amand
