Thinking About Abraham

Articles

Risa Roberts

Thinking About Abraham
May 29, 2004

Avraham avinu, which translates from the Hebrew to Abraham, our father. Abraham, the first enlightened being of the Middle Eastern Peoples. An enlightened being in a land of …idol worshippers. The first monotheist. Monotheism, the Jews gift to the world. The concept of One. And the concept of None. The concept of Unity. He had a wife, Sara. Abraham taught Sara. He taught the men, and she, the women. They lived in a tent that was open on all four sides.

Form follows function. So, the main function of living like that was…is open for speculations which include the concepts that shaped such a form. It is much easier to think about the form.

First of all, he kept his tent open on all sides. One reason, it’s been said, was in this way, he could welcome travelers from all directions. Of course, as the stories go, he had water on hand to wash these wanderers’ feet.

In this age of fear, the threat of mass destruction, the ever present presence of “watchers”, it is almost unimaginable to live such a life. Vigilance is one thing; the sense of an omnipotent spying electronic and otherwise “Eye” is quite another.

Who would dare, with utmost faith in their hearts, plant themselves, or find themselves, in the middle of a desert and live like Abraham? It’s almost unimaginable, except, a few pockets do in fact exist. One of them may in fact be the active senior citizen’s park that I live in. Let me describe it to you.

First of all, the park is a trailer camp. A more upscale term is a mobile home park. It is specifically available as inexpensive housing for people over 55. It is low density, so there is ample room between dwellings. The atmosphere is one of a small village, nestled somewhat off the beaten path right in the middle of Fort Lauderdale.

It’s quiet. It’s peaceful. It feels safe, if anything is safe. I have and have had valuables on the open screened Florida room that have never been disturbed. My three cockatiels live happily in their cage, and for breaks, in the Florida room. It’s an easy access place. The neighbors watch with loving concern that no one disturbs this peace. The people in my “neighborhood” compete for the recognition of “Best Yard of the Month”.

Do you remember the last time you left the doors and windows open at night? And lay your head down and slept?

I briefly considered the possibility of an expensive eastern move, more toward the beach. That of course depended on entertaining thoughts of a windfall of money. I decorated all the rooms in a house that I had already had in mind, somewhere in Del Ray. I planned all the gardening, even hiring a gardener! I saw myself shopping for new sheets and towels. All this for about two nights, as well as more than a little day-dreaming. All this because I had an incredible business opportunity offered. In fact, it was so incredible it gave my computer a virus. I let myself consider the previously mentioned fantasies, and still checked the internet. It was a well-known scam already having been published as a warning to those who would inquire.

After having considered in a serious way the supposed possibility, I realized that all I wanted were a few more repairs on the modular, some more pots for my plants and gardening supplies, get my truck fixed, new eye glasses and dental work. I figure I would continue leading a regular life, going to work, maybe keeping only one job and the gallery. I could invest enough to live off the interest and have a nice retirement fund. The greater portion I would distribute paying off debts, a few belated gifts, and maybe some foundation or grant, or scholarship.

I also realized that my simple existence is quite free. This freedom is something I have regained, and really didn’t/don’t want to give it up. I differ from Abraham, however, in that I am far less welcoming. These recent government alerts and heightened terrorist awareness have put me in an Israeli state of mind. You are potentially my enemy, no matter who you are, with the exception of a few, carefully chosen friends. From a clinical point of view, I wouldn’t touch you without my hygienic gloves!

One of my closest, and dearest friends once told me that “talk leads to other things.” Over the years this has proved to be good advice. I need to know that you can pass the test, the test of about 10 questions before I will be anything other than polite to you. To calm my own inner terror regarding a likely terrorist attempt sometime during our coming holidays, my best friend reminded me that what’s going to happen will, there’s nothing I can do about it, so I might as well sit back, enjoy the movie, and relax. My friend, I think, is closer to Abraham than I am in that respect. He keeps a gun next to his pillow at night, though. Maybe that’s why he’s so calm. Watering my garden will have to do for me.

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Email Risa: risa008@yahoo.com

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