My son ran some errands for me earlier today. He offered, needing something from the hardware himself. We live together now, an elderly mother and a middle-aged son. It’s an unusual arrangement in this western culture, but for many generations it was considered the norm. It has taken a great deal of presence to make this a healthy lifestyle choice, working through the power struggle of our conditioned selves, clinging to our expectations like they were precious law. Now we are so very grateful for this opportunity. Turns out multi-generational living has a lot to offer…like, just for starters, he’s a gourmet chef and I hate to cook. We are each other’s biggest support for our creative endeavors.

The old man who owns the local hardware was talking to another man when Steven walked in. They were talking about the bear. Everyone is talking about the bear. It just woke up. Yesterday it was seen playing at the skate park, rolling around the sun-warmed concrete. The hardware customer is a retired DNR officer from the upper peninsula. When my son suggested sheepishly that the bear might weigh over 500 pounds, the officer confirmed it. Seems he’s weighed bears.

They discussed the implications of having a bear comfortable with wandering through town. The DNR retiree spoke of it probably being trapped and relocated. It’s a common practice.

I’ve been directly behind that bear in my driveway, having hurried down the front steps of my house and almost running right into it’s backend. It was rounding on me when I took the stairs back up two at a time…fastest I’ve moved in years. Given the option, I would choose not to be that close to a bear ever again. I make a lot of noise now every time I walk out the door!

That said, I would also vote to leave the thing alone and learn how to live with it. Not relocate it. Leave the poor thing and it’s family alone. It’s a black bear, and they are not aggressive unless cornered. But people are stupid. They will want a selfie. And the second it swipes at someone who is taunting it, it will have to go. Let’s face it, there is no such thing as survival of the fittest anymore. It’s survival of the richest now. I’d have voted for the bear, but he with the most guns wins. Don’t get me started.

I’m going back to the old ways to the best of my ability. I’ll be over here minding my own business and practicing sympathy magic. “So I don’t have to be worthy…I no longer try to be good. It didn’t keep me safe like you told me that it would.” I’ll take my chances with the bear.