There are many reasons to be thankful, and this week we take a brief break to celebrate our blessings. Some are already doing that from what I read. . . .
The November 2007 issue of Architectural Digest brought my first exposure to the wisdom of our cultural moment. In an inviting article about a couple’s beautiful multi-million-dollar home near the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island of Hawaii, I found myself out of step and apparently all too ungrateful. I give you the inspiring words of the owner of this splendid bungalow: "Whether it’s Balinese or Polynesian or whatever, the house feels like it ought to be here. We sit here, look at the residence and thank the universe we’re so fortunate."
Alas, my good fortune to find such grateful souls is not limited to the idle rich. I read this weekend in the Dallas Morning News about a wonderfully affable chap by the name of Jimmy Belasco. Mr. Belasco and his partner, John Lowery, rescue dogs. According to Mr. Belasco, most of his more than 30 rescued and rehabbed dogs find him, not the other way around: "I don’t do it purposefully," he says. "It’s just what the universe has sent me. Now, I’ve asked the universe to stop. We’re all full-up on crazy over here."
This sudden thankful relationship with the universe has me wondering which universe we’re talking about. Surely it can’t be the accidental, random, impersonal, dying, black-hole dotted universe I read about elsewhere. My goodness, that universe is the product of chance, is said to have no future, is a completely random collection of atoms and molecules, and has no feelings, no affections, and no purpose. So I can’t imagine that it is creating vacation spots for the rich or havens for needy dogs. Why would it care?
I think the universe they must be talking about is a nice old universe that comes over to your house and eats turkey and pumpkin pie with you every Thanksgiving. My gosh, with people as thankful as these, how could that friendly old universe stay away?