I have written before about “the season of joy,” and how we can share in it and spread it. The media has brought to us many reminders of the ways we can touch and enrich the lives of others. We can — and do — sponsor families, gather toys and coats and pick up checks to pay for strangers’ meals. Some of us will do these good works in a rush at the end of “the season”; many of us will be dispensing disposable income to vendors for the benefit of families and friends, and some among us will prey on the weaker of us, the vulnerable and inattentive. We need to be careful out there, to make sure that our porch lights are on, our keys are out as we search for our cars in the mall parking lot, and that we are shielding our PINs from prying eyes at the supermarket.
In the award-winning TV series, “Hill Street Blues,” Sgt. Phil Esterhaus, at the end of roll call, would caution the assembled police officers to “be careful out there.” I loved the show for many reasons, not least among them the fact that the creator of the show, Steven Bochco, went to college in my hometown and is alleged to have taken the name of the show from my home place, the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Penn.. But when I think of the Sergeant’s iconic remonstration now, at this time of year, I think more of “care” than “careful.”
At a birthday celebration recently, I mentioned to someone that I had an abundance of dress shirts, most of which I was unlikely to wear again. I said that I needed to donate them to some organization that would put them to good use. The people to whom I was speaking recommended an organization that would put the shirts — many of which have been lightly worn — to good use, on the backs of men who need them. I am still ironing shirts, aiming for the big statement.
I should be focusing on the good things that I can do each day. I need to integrate good works into my daily life, to make my daily routine, “wash butt, brush teeth, do good, show care.” My desire to have us all be “careful” is more in the root of the word: care. As a noun, “care” is defined by “distress and uncertainty; worry.” We have that in abundance, and I will not give the reasons for that here. But I think that we need to be careful in what we do and think, and how we explain, rationalize and justify. And in that vein, I am advocating for greater attention to the verb intransitive form of “care:” to be concerned and interested.
It is a positive reflection on our decency as Americans that we respond with compassion to the tragedies that befall people all over the world, as well as the deprivations of our neighbors. We proudly demonstrate an international humanity that is a model for other countries, and a national benevolence that mobilizes us to feed, clothe and house those who have suffered some disaster. We make the big statement at the biggest times, and we are right to do so. As for me, I need to focus on the small, incremental works that build toward an architecture of care. I will make an effort to show care in both my concerns for personal safety and the needs of my neighbors and friends.
Let’s all reflect, let’s be concerned and considerate and take the path to the great joys of generosity. And let us all be full of care, out there.