July 2019, Meaningful Moments Remembered While New Events Enliven the NWCT Area and US All

Thankful for our caring communities over the years and decades...I explore ideas like this here for quite a few years on livfully.org .share with wider circles and welcome  respectful comments and differences of opinion (DOOs). This youtube is a segment of Kaelan Alexander Palmer Paton's Memorial Service from July 12, 2009, ten years ago. https://youtu.be/qWhvqm8sI8s

There was a Facebook Memorial Fundraiser that ran through Sept 1, 2019, Remembering Kaelan Palmer Paton's Legacy, running through August 2019, to promote safety and to raise funds to donate to a scholarship in his memory. Thank you for all donating to this cause and to others in their area to help youth and promote safety and accountability with a sense of teamwork!

Thank you for sharing as you can and donating in honor of another, living or departed. I feel we can lean in and learn from one another's challenges and even the losses and ways to honor those who have journeyed ahead or those we want to celebrate as well while they are alive. Likely we would all agree that would make more sense.

When we wish people a Happy Birthday we can also give thanks for their parents, families and support team, since we are all part of social networks. It's up to us to become more appreciative whether keeping people's names or photos handy, taking time to think kindly of those in our families and circles or otherwise find ways to connect with our heartfelt thoughts and feelings.

The overall experience of the turn of events (covered online with CT Teen Kaelan Paton aiding his friends at the Housatonic River in Falls Village Ct but losing his life in the process) on June 16th, 2009, the last day of high school in Falls Village CT, about a mile from the center of town and The Falls. The 'lay of the land' and freedom which we generally enjoy with a lot of responsibility, factored into the adventurous outing which was unfortunately not prevented by adults...even with prior agreements not to allow for unsupervised or dangerous outings at the river.

 These kinds of situations can spontaneously take root, so reviewing terms of 'legal and societal norms for our modern times' could transform our country and world. Taking a few steps back from the edge of danger is a great new insight for many people who didn't have such serious guidelines 'back in the day' when there weren't laws against drunk driving or even a 911 system to alert emergency services.

 Even with such measures in place, having a 'double layer of approval' from parents, schools, communities and states for instance, with a little extra caution would make sense to prevent the kinds of 'accidents' that claim lives or seriously injury people and often put many others at risk in rescue or recovery efforts. We are learning as we go and getting wiser in time for more 'climate events' or other concerns, politically or in society. We are taking the idea of 'thinking like a team' more seriously realizing it's basically a win-win way to approach things in life.

 Still there is a strong dynamic of 'wanting to come out ahead, provide for one's own (person, family, small group) and learning to 'deafen the concerns or the cries for help.' I would think more voluntary think tanks would be able to emerge in every state and county and particularly small town whether geographically or with low population numbers to find ways to help people obtain basic services, and access other options should temporary changes be needed to be safe, get some training or help medically and so on.

 The elderly are a 'silver tsunami' with many facing important decisions and needing low levels of support to 'stay in their home' or age in their area with support. Many cities, towns and neighborhoods create their own non-profits or informal groups to help welcome people of various ages, with meetup.com type groups or more formal outreaches through faith or social service venues.

 The idea of 'neighbor helping neighbor' can be promoted within reason to check on people who would appreciate a phone call weekly or monthly or during times of extreme heat or cold weather. Sadly even with such 'plans' sometimes those needing help will not comply even regarding not driving or going out on their own. One elderly person (now departed) ended up almost perishing outside or her home due to falling while trying to get up a difficult snowy path because her usual access was blocked by snow.

 Even with family nearby, it almost wasn't near enough. Thankfully the person managed their way back to their home. 

Another elder (also since departed) was trying to drive a short distance but his driveway was particularly wet after work had been done and it had rained. His front tire was sinking in the mud and he was trying to dig that wheel out with a spade...and that could have proved dire in terms of getting himself stuck in the mud. Thankfully someone came by to check on him.

 He would also use serious power equipment which was basically a high risk and no one thought he was still doing that...so again looking after someone may require far more 'precautionary measures' which would mean 24/7 serious supervision. That of course could be the case for anyone with even mild dementia since someone with capabilities to walk, drive, make calls and so on can possibly figure ways to get themselves places they don't know how to get back from or possibly become lost in the woods. 

The efforts to search for a missing person can be extensive and very taxing on a community and services emotionally and financially. The endless questions and sidetracks police and family may feel they need to review to leave 'no stone unturned' can be another level of ongoing stress, worry, cost and concern. 

With youth or others wanting to 'push the limits' even if some adults are not clear about 'what the limits are' whether of rivers that change levels, the way a group of people can become more adventurous if not reckless, and if any drugs or other factors of 'loosening the basic safety standards come into play' need other layers of advocacy and prevention  and meaningful responses rather than assuming 'somebody's dealing with that.' 

The laws may not be adequate to do the kinds of education and advocacy needed to help more people 'come into the circle of wisdom and making meaningful contributions and safer choices' rather than going along with the crowd. There are many aspects of these kinds of situations to consider, with internal physical and mental factors as important to address along with the social and external factors. CT has passed a Mental Health Parity Law to require insurance companies to provide more coverage for mental illness and care as they do for physical needs. 

That should tell us that we really were 'far behind what would benefit our society' and could use many more people from all walks of life to weigh in on sharing important basic healthcare and social support information such as can be found on 211.org. Learning one's A1C ( average blood sugar level) or at least monitoring some daily blood sugar levels would help youth, athletes, pregnant women and other adults in general begin to understand the influence of the carbohydrates (bread, pasta, pizza) and sugar intake on their blood and physiology. 

The carbs and sugar can raise blood sugar to unhealthy levels, initially and over time. Preventing diabetes is about monitoring one's diet and doing some exercise ( both aspects as it is safe to do so with your physician's approval) Too much exercise, not eating, being ill and so on can cause low blood sugars which are also unsafe.

 Many doctors don't agree or know 'what is involved with teaching people about blood sugar levels or becoming their own health advocate. I explore many of these ideas and other important major modern concerns such as safety in family and social relationships, again with a more informed stance about modern laws and guidelines in many departments even if they vary in states in the US and among countries in the world.

 We are becoming a global community and hopefully we can apply lessons from our own lives and communities and country to that of others to see our way through to a safer, brighter future. Thanks for tuning in as you can and enjoying your life with gratitude and appreciation for all who have come before us to create what we enjoy.

 A special thanks to all volunteer and paid rescue workers, particularly those who risk their own safety to help and save others. The modern 'hometown heroes' who step into those roles in other jobs or because they are feeling called at the time to do so are also much appreciated. We can realize these kinds of situations do reflect the wider values and plans in a community and work to improve the odds for more to live reasonably and for fewer 'emergencies' to arise out of the blue.

I will light a candle much like one was lit July 2019 in memory of Kaelan at his service, to remember all who have departed to the other side. At a gathering recently The Berkshire Medium Pam Ellis shared many moving messages to a group of about 50 people. She had a caring  respectful way of conveying meaningful messaged to help people know their loved ones were 'their people' (with specific details) and overall messages to encourage people to forgive themselves and others, to be caring and take time to be with people in their lives and to comfort one another.

She expressed added sympathy for those losing a child or younger person in their lives which does seem unfair. She did share as others have that most likely people would leave 'one way or another.' Some go quickly and others with more of a struggle or decline. There were many important questions raised and considered. She offered that a sould does enter the physical realm at conception. She did share there is much more than we can understand and that forgiveness and healing, being helpful to others (and not necessarily telling someone everything if it can create more harm) may be a reasonable approach.

I happened to also go to an intuitive painting class. There was a sense of connecting playfully with our own energy (inner child, higher self) and not needing to know all the answers before stepping into the art experience. That can be an analogy for life... so even though I am often exploring ideas for safety and respect it's not to say to never go out or connect. Most people I meet I am very happy to get to know on some level. Even if there's never enough time or a clear way to do that, trusting that we are all more alike and friendly and wanting good for one another seems to create that sense of flow. When there are tougher topics, exploring questions with courage and allowing for feelings and deeper understanding to emerge...whether from others or dreams etc, is part of the 'living fully' experience I hope to convey. Sharing some insights 'anonymously' such as is done at SoCo in Great Barrington MA on the wall with What Does Freedom Mean to You...could be a more common way to tune into what others are thinking and consider such questions for oneself as well. I took pictures of what was posted so will share that when I get more time. For now, I'm off to the free 'over the top' Falls Village Car Show, the 10th Anniversary, on July 14th from 10-3pm.

.That's a time to appreciate everyone's talents with cars, restoration and contributing to the community. Fees and donations benefit the FV Fire Department which has a handsome new facility on Route 7 near the Housatonic Valley Regional High School, HVRHS which serves the towns of Falls Village, North Canaan and Cornwall, Salisbury, Sharon and Kent CT for grades 9-12.

Every town deserves a wide team of support, sister towns and benefactors who grew up or otherwise are connected and appreciate the area. Thanks for donating to any of these humble yet mighty fine efforts that keep our small towns going and glowing. FV Fire Dept and Ambulance, DM Hunt Library, Falls Village Daycare Center. Falls Village Congregational Church, FV Historical Society, 12 Moons Coffee House, Center on Main, Kellogg School, HVRHS or other helpful funds such as FV Scholarship Fund. 

See more on FB at a town or group website or the  Northwest Corner Chatter and CATV6.com as well as the independent newspaper The Lakeville Journal.The next Car Show locally is in Great Barrington MA on Aug 1st, from 4:30-9:30pm. See more events in The Shopper's Guide.

You can see prior coverage of a FV Car Show online with Dennis Gage too.