It’s a really, really, really easy choice

For sixteen years I lived in Davidson, NC which was dubbed Pleasantville by my friend Debbie visiting from Chicago. The evening she was at our house for dinner she got an absurd dose. It started with our neighbor, Katie, coming to our shared fence to say hello and chat; then a colleague of Tim’s pulled in our driveway to deliver a basket of goodies for some occasion which I can’t recall; and then while we were dining on our front porch, people waved as they passed by sharing such sentiments as, “what a wonderful night for dinner on the porch,” and “your garden looks beautiful”. Although that was an excessively pleasant day, Debbie was not incorrect. Davidson is as lovely as it gets.

Now, I live in the city – Denver, Colorado. I’ve had nearly two full-time years here.

Tim and I specifically chose a city neighborhood in Denver when moving to Colorado due to its central location. And we also agreed that before we got much older, it would be nice to enjoy urban living for a while. It’s not my first time living in a city, but it has been over 20 years since the last time. Urban living wasn’t a culture shock by any means. But honestly, it is not always easy.

There is grime, trash, noise, crime, drugs, and many people struggling. The pandemic, and other societal issues have exacerbated all of this. There is even a Seven Eleven a few blocks from me that has permanently closed its doors because they cannot stop the shop lifting. Yes, that’s right. They just couldn’t afford to stay open any longer.

I am fortunate to have a home, with good neighbors, that I love and feel safe in. We do our best for each other. I especially appreciate my partnership with the dental office next door. Security cameras, lights in the alley and an ever-vigilant eye on things. And we all have steadfastly monitored homeless encampments near us. If you don’t know this is happening in every American city, consider yourself sheltered.

I do what I can to keep my community clean. I am very sensitive to litter and disarray. I learned as a child to have utter respect for my surroundings. I can even sing a song we learned in a third-grade film strip about my individual role in “ecology”. “Just add ecology to ME, that’s MECOLOGY!”

Rant alert. I am the one picking up the styrofoam cup and Doritos bag you threw out of your car. I am the one picking up the pizza box, used tissues, and greasy foil that fell to the ground when you rummaged through a can in the alley. I am the one walking through the park with trash bags, a wagon, gloves and a pic stick because you were hanging out with friends and left your red bull cans and candy bar wrappers on the ground. I am the one picking up the Snickers wrappers you mindlessly tossed to the ground while trick or treating. End of rant.

I know there is more than one battle to fight here. But, to me there is one clear truth. The Earth is home to ALL of us, no matter what. We all make choices, big and small. And it’s a really, really, really, easy choice to NOT leave your trash on the ground.

Of course, I miss the comfort of Pleasantville. And honestly, if I wanted to return there, I could. Perhaps one day I will. However, there are many reasons why I am truly good where I am now in the midst of the city – the energy, the diversity, the variety of activities and restaurants. While there is no doubt that I have experienced urban fatigue from time to time, it does serve as a reminder to me. There is growth outside of that comfort zone. I have to work a little harder for things in the city. Especially on my own. And just maybe this place needs me too. If you see me walking around with a trash bag picking up discarded masks and fast-food wrappers, maybe next time you will do it.

At the end of that third-grade film strip we were taught that if we all do our part and work together, we can make a bigger difference:

🎶”We can help save the day in lots and lots of many ways. Just add Ecology to We. That’s WEcology!”🎶

Happy Earth Day, April 22