Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Star Trek Next Generation

I'm lying in bed watching an episode of Star Trek Next Generation.  Lying because the endless nausea of votrient seems to dictate my lack of energy and strength.  Watching this particular program because we've latched on to another series that will wile away the moments of chemo chaos that seems to be my lot at the moment. Rich is my constant companion...always at my side...always seeking ways to support and lighten my struggles.  I'm blessed beyond measure...truly blessed.

As I'm watching, I'm remembering fondly the weeks and months following our return from Germany, in South Carolina.  In the afternoons this series played reruns and the kids were always eager to watch.  It hadn't played yet on AFN and so it was entirely new to the kids.  It was a fond remembrance to me of coming stateside after Australia and knowing television was like a portal into American life.  It also was a sweet remembrance of my teenage years in Germany when AFN finally got some of the newer shows and Star Trek was one of them.  We were so excited to watch it each week...again...it was a portal into America. 

As I watch now, it is with eyes that are quick to see how it was pushing the boundaries I consider in harmony with my beliefs.  Probably I saw that then too, so many years ago...but I must have thought it benign enough.  But with hindsight I wonder if it really was that benign.  Our culture is reflected in its media and our media often molds our culture...it really is a portal...to our souls.