Remembering Roots

Do you remember leaving your 'college' city and feeling a strong need to put a system in place that kept you connected to that city and community? This question is for those of us who didn't have social community blogs to interact with alumni and other tools like it.

I went to college in London, so I found myself subscribing to three London newspapers, asking friends to send me taped versions of BBC programming, Yes Prime Minister and ship food, perfume and other products I missed.

We do this because of our strong yearning to be part of a community, whether that's family, college, church, synagogue, a club or social group. And 'things' like the products we miss, re-engage us with that community in a very 'raw' way.

I found myself requesting to remain on my Boston book group list, so I could keep tabs on what books they were reading, see their names, hear their voices through their words and smile when I'd read a familiar dialogue. While Boston is not my 'home town hood,' east coast voices, faces and attitudes certainly are, despite so many years abroad.

Remembering your roots and occasionally reflecting on them is an activity that will bring you back into focus. Recharging 'via your roots' gives you a different kind of focus that yoga and meditation brings. It's a wonderful 'child-like' focus and clarity, which for me cranks up the creativity..

I was reading a thread of emails from my Boston book group (co-ed btw), and had to smile when I read this:

"Of course we have to postpone - due to the "almost blizzard" of 2006. See you next month. For food - let's get into spring and think of warmer climates! Mediterranean, Caribbean, and South American cuisine as a suggestion!"

It brought me back to a time when everyone was stranded at our house after a holiday party because of a blizzard of one year or another and couldn't leave. The storm was so bad, that we slept 12 people with only two bedrooms for two days. I could write a novel based on the stories we told around the tree over breakfast as we munched on yet another piece of pumpkin pie.