A smaller sphere

Sean Lee during the Detroit/Dallas game 10/27/13

The idea of “six degrees of separation” is familiar: that we are connected to anyone else on the planet by no more than six different relationships. There is even a tongue-in-cheek axiom: “six degrees of Kevin Bacon” where it is asserted that any actor can be connected to a movie in which Bacon appeared through six instances of various actors and their co-stars.

I can’t vouch for the reliability of “six degrees” – I suspect that there are farmers in North Korea with whom I have no connection. Conversely, I can easily trace short steps to Presidents, Celebrities, Serial Killers, CEOs, Popes, and Royalty from my little splash of Lima Township.

It’s likely more productive to consider a simpler degree: with whom are we personally connected and what do those connections mean?

This last weekend, I got to reunite with enatic cousins and watch one of them excel at the highest of gridiron levels, the NFL. Cousin Sean Lee and the Dallas Cowboys came to town for a match-up against the Detroit Lions. Sean had two interceptions (he’s a linebacker) and some key tackles in a game where the Lions managed to squeak out a victory with 12 seconds left. While I can only imagine Sean’s disappointment, I was very proud to have this connection to such a successful and gifted athlete.

I’m also proud to be connected to a number of others: to my nephew who served in Afghanistan; to a good friend who, after losing his wife, re-energized his life and became a chef; to friend who is a firefighter and another who is a police officer; to the friend who is a State Senator; to several friends who are committed to keeping the Constitution alive in our Republic; to a brother who faces life’s challenges with enviable faith and optimism; to my mother who inspires me and makes me laugh. There are also cancer survivors, activists, caregivers, artists, actors, moms, dads, plumbers, educators, farmers, restaurant workers, lawyers, judges, entrepreneurs, scalawags, bandits, and many others who comprise my life’s tapestry.

I guess that may be tonight’s reflection: we are enriched by those friends and family who nurture and support us and we are educated by those who disappoint and betray. Each, in his or her way, contributes. And we too, in turn, contribute.





Photo credit: Shannon DeVilbiss Gallup