A Time For Renewal

Cows Anjuna Beach, Goa India November 2008

"In Hinduism, the cow is so symbolic to life, the virtual sustainer of life for humans. In a society if you only had cows and no other domestic animals or agricultural pursuits, you could still survive and the children could survive with the butter, the cream and the milk to feed the children. The cow is a complete ecology, a gentle creature and a symbol of abundance."

2008 was the year of abundance. In the history of America, we have never seen young people turn out to vote as they did in the 2008 Presidential elections on November 4th. Never in the History of America have we seen the financial industry experience such volatility. And never in the history of America are we seeing people on a daily basis lose their homes, their jobs, or close and dissolve their businesses. I know as you read you ask where is the silver lining.

As we did on November 4th, we voted in record numbers because we overwhelmingly wanted change and, “yes we can!” But as the weeks go by I have witnessed that momentum dwindle. Our conversations are filled with desperation and despair and a fatalistic gloom about the future, I too at times have found myself in that repulsive conversation. So today, I made a commitment that, change and renewal starts with me.

On a micro level, as an immigrant I came to America with my family and from nothing we made something. On a macro level, we can look to England, who rebuilt their country and cities after the war. London is a shining example of what can and must be done in the face of adversity.

We look at other countries that are experiencing effects of the global meltdown. India, a land where the gap between the rich and the poor is staggering, benefited enormously in the past ten years from globalization and outsourcing from the first world. They had the opportunity to be greedy and reckless with their newfound wealth. There was potential to have been a part of the meltdown, but have continued to regulate, be humble and lean in their financial decisions and their country. A lesson we all can learn from.

What does this all mean for me as I mulled all the gloom? Like this last year we believed and set out intentionally to create change. This cannot be done by one individual but by a movement. A movement that says we are taking our communities back. Back to creating jobs inspire a new spirit of entrepreneurship and shift the mentality of the haves and the have not's. But that change must be tangible for you and for me, Nelson Mandela believed that South Africa would be a free place; he enrolled and enrolled an entire movement to make this happen. And he did it!

Like we did during the civil rights movement we came together as a community, we believed that Americans should have equal rights. What we are experiencing, no one will be immune from. The effects of this economic crisis, has penetrated every single class structure, as we have seen rich and poor become victims of this economic crisis. So today I am doing my part. Like so many, I too will have no choice but to charter a new course. But we must never give up and if we fail we start over again. So like this past year, the year of abundance. We have the opportunity to charter a new course for the year 2009. So be the change!

Happy New Year from Star Apple Diaries.
Mechel Thompson

A Tribute to a Joyful Spirit

I walked into Chelsea Market eight years ago on a clear spring afternoon. As I walked through the flower shop and eyed the birds of paradise I noticed a human bird of paradise. There amongst the foliage was an elegantly dressed elderly woman with a bright red hat, a sharp eye for flowers, and a crisp tongue.

I immediately went to the Manager whom I knew and said, “Who is that vivacious lady? I would like to meet her.” My friend said to me , “Oh, her name is the Queen of the Hudson.” I was stumped and said, “The Queen of the whom?” “Yes, her name is the Queen of Hudson,” he said. I feverishly went over and introduced myself and, she, of course, introduced herself as The Queen of the Hudson. I replied, “I am delighted to meet you.” I gave her my business card and after a long and cheerful conversation about our passion for beauty and flowers, we agreed that we would meet for lunch. The first of many.

The Queen of the Hudson’s given name is Dorismarie Welcher, and for the last eight years we have had breakfast at least four times a month. Dorismarie became my adopted Grandmother in New York City. She was married to a legendary Jazz Musician. She decided to name herself the Queen of the Hudson because her view of her home overlooks the Hudson River in Chelsea, and it was years ago when she arrived in New York City she saw this cruise ship the QE she said I am inspired so why not call me the Queen of the Hudson. We shared an amazing friendship of the young and the old and a zest for life. She loved Serena and Venus and every US Open she would be at Arthur Ashe stadium cheering them on.

She was a school teacher and had a passion for words; she marched in the civil rights movement and went to School with Coretta Scott King. She referred to me as her Hunk of a Protoplasm “The living part of a cell”. I never asked her why that was my nickname. My mailbox was filled with constant clipping of articles she felt I needed to read and should read. Every holiday, every birthday, every occasion; there would be a card and every birthday there would be a gift.

The last time I saw her we had breakfast at Pastis and she scolded me for walking too fast. I asked if she was okay. She replied in her steely way that she had just learned from her doctor that she had some water on her lungs and that she would be fine. I was concerned, but she was never the type for a pity party. She said to me you just keep doing that yoga because you are sure looking brighter and brighter. After my return from India I tried to call her as my dearest friend Nadine had gone to see her while I was away and said please call her, sooner rather than later. At this point I still did not inquire why the “sooner”, as in my world Dorismarie was invincible, she was an active New Yorker and her age never hindered her from taking a cruise, as this spring she took a cruise to Alaska, or getting on a plane to her destination. She would meet me at Bathazaar or Les Halles, or, her least favorite place, Country. She would take the bus or walk several city blocks to enjoy our breakfasts together. I laughed at her always complaining that Country never had an egg holder for the soft boiled eggs and their low seats at Country, and tried to assuage her with the great fruit salad.

I kept calling throughout the whole week I returned from India. My thought was that perhaps she was off to Colorado because she liked the mountains and spent extended periods in Aspen and knew I was away and failed to inform me she too would be away. My nightmare occurred fifteen minutes after her death when her caretaker called me to advise she was in the hospital, had passed and I was on the top of the list to be called. She was Eighty Seven years old when she passed away on Friday November 28^th, 2008. She never revealed to me she had lung cancer and deteriorated rapidly over a three week period of time while I was away. I was shattered.

As I grapple with this loss, each moment I fall into "wow" I never got to say goodbye. And my sense of loss becomes overwhelming. But each day I find ways to honor her. She was a big bright spirit and the moment I saw her all my troubles would disappear with her laughter, joy, and the most rewarding intellectual conversations. She had no time for small chatter and a big heart and a massive love for life. She has shared with me so many lessons that I use each day.

Many of you knew my sacred friendship with the Queen and have inquired about her wishes. She requested to be cremated and part of her ashes be sprinkled in the Hudson River and in the mountains of Aspen, Colorado.

My friend and my Kindred Grandmother your spirit is still here with all those lives you touched. I love you and honor you.

Namaste

MechelThompson

Transformation

A Devotee of the Guru Baba Gee Dev

"Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."

George Bernard Shaw

India, whose ancient culture and mystical traditions, is a land I have always dreamed of seeing. On Wednesday November 5th, 2008 that dream became a reality when I landed at Mumbai International Airport at 9:30pm. As I left the airport my dream of this land of mysticism and spirituality was quickly diminished as I drove from the airport to my hotel in Mumbai. I was immediately overwhelmed by the sight of packs of women digging through garbage, the sounds of rickshaws constant tooting and the smell of garbage that was seemingly not removed for days. I knew, in that moment, my time here would be one filled with many experiences that I either embraced or I would hit the panic button, and I learned quickly one had to exercise patience whether using the bathrooms or crossing the streets was an experience one from the west does not take for granted.

Over the next few weeks I will share with you my time in India. Today, this post is dedicated to the people of Mumbai. A population who already have challenges that are more than that of the average human and now a city under siege. I was fortunate enough to leave India just before this occurred, but what I know and have experienced is that the people of India are fascinating, loving, and spiritual beings which will nurture their community back to some sense of normalcy.

Namaste,
Mechel Thompson

CELEBRATION 35,000 FT

On Tuesday November 4Th I boarded a plane to India. AT 2330 over Reykjavik there was an announcement from the captain. "Ladies and gentlemen for those of you who are interested in the Presidential race, John McCain is now giving his concession speech" At that moment the cabins erupted in cheers screams and crying. In a corner were two flight attendants who were crying uncontrollably, I could not help and I melted into tears and joined the two.

For a flight that was sixteen hours long it felt like half and hour, every single person was elated.
As I walked through the cabin people could not wait to get to their destinations, as most of the conversations that I overheard was there is a new sense of purpose.

As I landed in Mumbai on Wednesday evening at 2130 and deplaned and walked through the airport the first words I heard from the ground crew at the door was Obama. I muttered to myself wow this is larger than life. Those were the only thoughts that came to my mind.

There was also something magical at 35,000ft to hear those words will be one that I will never forget. Even though I thought wow I would have loved to be home to celebrate this occasion but to have this point of view from this view was priceless.

Namaste
Mechel Thompson

The Star Apple

"In Cuba, Jamaica, and several other tropical American countries, the Star Apple is a tree and its fruit is held in much the same estimation as the sapote, the sapodilla, and the sugar apple. For its ornamental value alone it merits cultivation. Charles Kingsley, in his brief account of West Indian fruits, refers to the beauty of this plant. "And what is the next," he asks, after mentioning some of the trees seen on one of his rambles, "like an evergreen peach, shedding from the under side of every leaf a golden light, -call it not shade? A Star apple"

So why call this blog the Star Apple Diaries? Growing up in rural Jamaica, the Star Apple was my favorite fruit and still is. I wanted to name this blog the Star Apple Diaries because my biting into that fruit was nothing but pure joy and life should be filled with more joy than sorrow. Enjoy this cultivation process with me.

On November 4th 2008 I will have the opportunity to vote in my first U.S. Presidential election and then Board a plane on the afternoon of election day. I will be en route to India to pursue a burning passion I have embraced called yoga. I will embark on a 16 hour flight to India where I will not know the results of the elections until I arrive in India. Not only is this a monumental journey for me, but it will be the actual day of my birthday and my 40th birthday. Yes, so much to celebrate.

Over the next few weeks and months, I would love to share my journey with you.

Namaste

Mechel Thompson