The Daily Celebration

Posted on March 21, 2018 by robert okaji

The Daily Celebration

Life here is good, but sometimes scary. My community has been rocked by four explosions, four bombs meant to maim and kill. Sunday’s occurred just a few miles from my home of 34 years, and it seems that the package that exploded overnight some sixty miles south of Austin at the FedEx facility in Schertz (coincidentally just a few miles from my sister’s house), was sent from the nearby FedEx store that I frequent. All this is to say that no matter how we try, we ultimately control little. Each day, each step, could be our last. Thus I pledge to celebrate today’s breath, to speak kind words and do no harm. To listen, to taste, to see. To feel, to thank.

That incessant buzz around the mountain laurel hummingbirds are back!

68 thoughts on “The Daily Celebration”

lovesdeepwaters on March 20, 2018 at 3:43 pm said:

I’m so sorry for the fear and grief that has shaken your home. 😟

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 3:57 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much. We certainly live in interesting times!
  
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  - Steph on March 20, 2018 at 6:21 pm said:
    
    Interesting??? minorities are being killed by a psycho who is leaving bombs on their porches..and you call this interesting. God help us from apathetic souls like you.
    
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    - robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 6:27 pm said:
      
      Interesting, as in the curse “May you live in interesting times,” Steph, not as in how wonderful that others are being blown up. You jumped to a conclusion rather quickly, thinking the worst of someone who has given you no reason to think so.
      
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      - ダニエル・シュネー on March 21, 2018 at 11:31 am said:
        
        Don’t worry about it, Okaji Sensei. Some people see through words like windows, imagining the worst inside when you are looking out through that same word, seeking transcendence of the worst.
        
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        robert okaji on March 21, 2018 at 1:57 pm said:
        
        Thanks, Daniel. I admit to being upset at the comment, but then realized that something beyond the use of one innocuous word must have triggered the response.
        
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        ダニエル・シュネー on March 21, 2018 at 6:27 pm said:
        
        It just goes to show we are often having two different conversations when using one word, assuming our own personal preferences are universal. Your soul is anything but apathetic, as well as your poetry.
        
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        robert okaji on March 21, 2018 at 7:02 pm said:
        
        I have experienced that on multiple occasions.
        
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merrildsmith on March 20, 2018 at 3:45 pm said:

I saw a post yesterday from a FB friend in Austin saying everyone was staying inside and it was very scary.
I hope they catch the person or people doing this.
Yes, celebrate life–and the hummingbirds.

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 3:51 pm said:
  
  I refuse to hide and will conduct business as usual. But it’s not like I go out much anyway. 🙂
  
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cote8050 on March 20, 2018 at 3:49 pm said:

so beautiful… remaining positive in the face of this world’s evils is the only way! but so hard sometimes…

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 3:54 pm said:
  
  I don’t know why I’m still here, but I plan on making the best of my allotted time.
  
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  - cote8050 on March 20, 2018 at 3:56 pm said:
    
    I agree! I believe its all we can do and if everyone did it, so simple but so hard, the world would be a safe and wonderful place…someday it will happen, I am sure of it, someday!
    
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    - robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 3:59 pm said:
      
      Let us hope!
      
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Parmis on March 20, 2018 at 3:55 pm said:

A wonderful post and testament to your resilience. Hate cannot win.

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 3:59 pm said:
  
  Only if we let it.
  
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rivrvlogr on March 20, 2018 at 4:15 pm said:

Your haiku to complete this is a much needed tonic.

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 4:17 pm said:
  
  Those fierce little birds bring such joy!
  
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Skyscapes for the Soul on March 20, 2018 at 4:53 pm said:

Sorry that this is so close to home for you.

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 5:27 pm said:
  
  It just makes you realize that it’s always close to someone’s home.
  
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Luanne on March 20, 2018 at 5:45 pm said:

Stay safe!

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 6:19 pm said:
  
  As much as possible! Thanks, Luanne.
  
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10000hoursleft on March 20, 2018 at 5:46 pm said:

I’m glad you’re okay. I was as surprised to learn you had a sister as I was to read of the bombings…always nice to add more layers to what we imagine of our online friends.

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 6:21 pm said:
  
  My only sibling. The bombings are an unfortunate symptom of our ill society.
  
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  - 10000hoursleft on March 21, 2018 at 3:24 pm said:
    
    So senseless.
    
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    - robert okaji on March 21, 2018 at 6:05 pm said:
      
      Always.
      
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jankeough11 on March 20, 2018 at 6:21 pm said:

Thinking of you and all in Austin.

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 6:29 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Jan. One thinks it’ll never happen here…
  
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Andrew McDowell on March 20, 2018 at 7:36 pm said:

Praying the violence will end.

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 9:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Andrew. I can’t fathom this need to destroy.
  
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  - Andrew McDowell on March 21, 2018 at 6:23 am said:
    
    You’re welcome.
    
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Lynne Burnett on March 20, 2018 at 7:41 pm said:

Well, many echoed my sentiments. Your haiku was a beautiful way to end bad news. Glad you and yours are safe, Bob!

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 9:07 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Lynne. The idea of safety seems to be fragile these days.
  
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nanciec13 on March 20, 2018 at 8:05 pm said:

I hope you and all your neighbors in Austin will be safe.

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 9:07 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Nancie. We all hope so, too.
  
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Betty Hayes Albright on March 20, 2018 at 8:27 pm said:

Do take care, Robert. It seems no one is safe anymore, even close to home. Hope they catch those responsible.

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 9:09 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Betty. Here’s hoping that the unexploded package will provide evidence to locate the bomber.
  
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  - Betty Hayes Albright on March 20, 2018 at 9:13 pm said:
    
    I’ll be watching the news and hoping. Keep us informed if possible.
    
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    - robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 9:20 pm said:
      
      What a crazy month! We’ve had another bombing, but police believe it’s unrelated to the others. What next?
      
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      - Betty Hayes Albright on March 20, 2018 at 10:21 pm said:
        
        I’m sorry to hear you’ve had yet another bombing. A copy cat maybe? Very scary, rough times we’re living in. Stay safe, Robert.
        
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        robert okaji on March 21, 2018 at 7:58 am said:
        
        Turns out it wasn’t a bomb but an incendiary device. Shaking my head over that.
        
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        Betty Hayes Albright on March 21, 2018 at 2:59 pm said:
        
        Sounds like it’s all over now, thankfully. Will hope there aren’t any more bombs set to go off anywhere. Do take care, Robert.
        
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        robert okaji on March 21, 2018 at 3:08 pm said:
        
        I’m curious about the motive. I hope some information is released soon. Grateful that it appears to be over.
        
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Planet Dream Diaries on March 20, 2018 at 8:32 pm said:

So very frightening. Times they sure are changing. I’m very happy to hear that no one you knows has been hurt (I hope no one was hurt). I agree, in the upside reality that is this reality, there is nothing left to do, but to “celebrate today’s breath, to speak kind words and do no harm. To listen, to taste, to see. To feel, to thank.” And, if enough do, maybe we can turn our world right side up again. ❤ Be safe.

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 9:10 pm said:
  
  Let’s hope this ends soon!
  
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  - Planet Dream Diaries on March 20, 2018 at 9:32 pm said:
    
    Yes – LET’s!
    
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Writergurlny on March 20, 2018 at 8:33 pm said:

Glad your ok.

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 9:11 pm said:
  
  Thank you. I wish everyone could be safe, but that’s not been the case.
  
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Onisha Ellis on March 20, 2018 at 8:49 pm said:

When I realized my mother was dying, I vowed to try to live my life with no regrets. To actively love my family and friends and savor moments. I can’t wait until our Hummingbirds arrive!

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 9:12 pm said:
  
  I came to that same conclusion after a heart attack. More hummingbirds!
  
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Sunshine Jansen on March 20, 2018 at 8:55 pm said:

I’ve definitely been thinking of you, RO. There’s no making sense of this or any of the other thousand things that are falling apart right now, but it’s courageous to live and confront the absurd and somehow manage gratitude.

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 9:15 pm said:
  
  We can’t give in and let ourselves be cowed. We must continue living our lives.
  
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Jazz Jaeschke on March 20, 2018 at 8:56 pm said:

I share your perspective – love the haiku – cross my fingers that this does not become a pattern akin to school shootings.

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- robert okaji on March 20, 2018 at 9:18 pm said:
  
  Strangely, I don’t feel unsafe in this city of ours, Jazz. But I am saddened that others do. And now another bomber has struck in south Austin. Will there be other copycats?
  
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ebbtide on March 20, 2018 at 11:38 pm said:

Choosing to live your life as you would and remembering at the same time how precious it is is powerful. Be well, Robert. ❤

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- robert okaji on March 21, 2018 at 8:00 am said:
  
  It seems to be the only way I can move forward. Thank you, Sarah.
  
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Smitha V on March 21, 2018 at 1:25 am said:

There is so much uncertainty these days that one simply has to make the most of the present. Living in fear and dying every moment is not an option.
What happened must be extremely scary. Take care all of you. Wish an end could be put to this madness.

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- robert okaji on March 21, 2018 at 8:03 am said:
  
  The political climate here has made it more difficult to live in the present, and these bombings are just a symptom of our ill system. But we move on.
  
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derrickjknight on March 21, 2018 at 6:01 am said:

So well said, Bob

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- robert okaji on March 21, 2018 at 8:03 am said:
  
  What else can we do, Derrick? Thank you.
  
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nananoyz on March 21, 2018 at 5:59 pm said:

Hoping this nightmare is over.

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- robert okaji on March 21, 2018 at 6:06 pm said:
  
  I sure hope so, but there are so many questions unanswered.
  
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  - nananoyz on March 21, 2018 at 6:33 pm said:
    
    I really hope he left an extensive record of why he committed such evil acts.
    
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    - robert okaji on March 21, 2018 at 7:03 pm said:
      
      Me too.
      
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Jilanne Hoffmann on March 27, 2018 at 1:32 am said:

Very glad that this particular set of gruesome incidents will not continue. Why does it feel like our world is falling apart when just a few years ago there was so much hope?

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- robert okaji on March 27, 2018 at 6:05 am said:
  
  The corruption of our political process and those in power certainly doesn’t help.
  
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Melanie Ann on March 31, 2018 at 11:58 am said:

I am so sorry for the loss of people in your community. We will never understand the mind of people. At least the minds of those that are lost and want to hurt. I hope you and your community are healing. 🙏

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- robert okaji on March 31, 2018 at 1:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Melanie Ann. I suppose we are fortunate that more lives were not lost. I especially hope that the families directly affected are healing.
  
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