Being Visible
I celebrated my birthday a few weeks ago. The birthday celebration got me thinking about just what we do on people's birthdays. We pay attention to them and give them some love and some support. Make them more visible. This year I felt that love and that support. I turned 56 this October. It feels weird to say that. I am in my late 50s. At the age of 56, I've outlived both my father and my brother, both of them passed away earlier than they should have. I often think about how my life would be different if I had more time with them. The Covid pandemic makes me aware of how vital it is to use my time while I still have it.
On my birthday, Marcia, my wife, suggested that I go to the High Museum to take in some art. She knows me well. Seeing the art in the museum fed my soul and inspired me, especially what I saw when I left the museum. It was a rainy day; however, the rain paused. In the courtyard is a statue called the "Invisible Man." It's a unique piece of art. One side looks like a conventional statue, yet you see a mirror when you walk around to the other side. In the mirror, you see your reflection with the silhouette of a man with his fist in the air. It is there if you find a way to see it.
The statue commemorates the protest by Tommie Smith at the Olympic games in Mexico City in 1968. He and John Carlos displayed a black power salute on the podium after they received their awards. I thought about this simple act of protest and how these athletes took the opportunity to make their point, to be seen. I thought about how the title of this piece of art, "Invisible Man," was appropriate. These men were expected to be recognized for their physical ability. Yet, they stepped out of that role, making themselves visible in a new way.
For my birthday, I asked for donations to Clowns Without Borders USA. Clowns Without Borders USA is a wonderful organization that takes laughter and joy to areas where it is needed most, areas of strife and violence, and natural disasters. Inside these dire situations, there can be a sense of laughter and joy. That's what the work of Clowns Without Borders is about. It's beautiful work to be able to make people smile and laugh amid the pain. That joy, that smile, that laugh can be visible. It's there if you find a way to see it. I'm grateful to be able to participate in this work.
The fundraiser has been a success. Thank you to all of those who gave to my birthday fundraiser. I decided to leave the fundraiser up to give more people an opportunity to donate. If you haven't donated, please take this opportunity to help us bring laughter, joy, and smiles to the world. A link to the fundraiser is here.
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