I Asked Timothy Leary

Many, many years ago a twenty-two old mouse asked an icon a very childish question.

"Mr Leary," mouse asked, "What is the meaning of life?"

It's true, mouse's personal brush with greatness and she asked Timothy Leary the meaning of life -- like he has NEVER been asked that before. Even in that moment mouse mentally kicked herself. And did offer a bit of an explanation, to her thoughts, nervously of course.

Timothy Leary was someone who hung out with the Beatles, The Grateful Dead and just about anyone else who was anyone during the 60s. He told a generation to "turn on, tune in and drop out." and that generation largely listened. He didn't simply drop acid, he studied it and the mind's ability to let go.

Maybe he took pity on mouse or her youth, but he did answer. He explained that life was within us and around us, answer to the meaning, while different for every creature, but arrived the same way, to learn to let go our ego and simply allow it.

Twenty years later, mouse still pondered the reply.

Yet, in odd way mostly due to her slavery to Daddy the answer, at least for mouse began to reveal itself -- letting go of her ego and society constraints and pursuing the pleasure of service to Daddy. Yesterday, those thoughts all came together, as tho completely clear to mouse. Well, it really started to fit together the previous night (Monday).

Daddy had a horrible day at work, so bad he only sent one text saying he was busy. Yes, mouse was a bit nosy and offered to bring him lunch, knowing he'd likely never take the time to eat a proper meal. Maybe part of her wanted to see...dunno. Whatever the reason, baby in tow, mouse delivered lunch to a grateful Daddy. Plenty of hands to waiting to make silly faces and hold the baby, while mouse laid out his meal -- it made her feel good to fuss over him. A good cloth napkin, and real cutlery brought from home, he despises plastic forks, but will make due when he must. The poor man was famished. 

He stood and genuinely thanked mouse for taking the time. He kissed us both goodbye by the elevator. On her way home, mouse thought about how good she felt to help Daddy.

Cleaned up the table and got it ready for Daddy's meal. He came through the door as mouse was coming downstairs (having finally got the baby down -- hopefully for the night). Immediately taking his coat, hat and briefcase, placing them in their appointed locations. Then fetched him his drink, kneeling down before him to take off his shoes and make him comfortable with a cool towel.

While mouse's day was totally no parade, it was lovely to do these simple things for the man who carries often the weight of the world on his shoulders.

After dinner, while mouse cleared and put everything away Daddy went to his study, mouse presumed to work. A short while later, mouse found him, stretched out on the sofa, cocktail resting in his hand on his chest and fast asleep. Softly and quietly, mouse took the glass from his hand, loosened his tie and covered him with a blanket.

A few more hours passed, the baby woke screaming and mouse raced (it wouldn't do for our youngest to wake the house) up the stairs to her room and rocked her and let her again nurse. We're cutting our first teeth and going through a growth spurt (lovely), yet, this time is very precious and something honestly mouse never believed she'd be doing. As frustrating as it is, mouse is grateful to this little sweet baby for bringing so much different purpose to her life.

That was when the words Mr. Leary had spoken to mouse all those years ago came back and found new meaning and place in her heart.

Song Selection: The Seeker; The Who