It was a gathering of MINI Cooper owners. A club (phillymini.org) that I belong to because my cool friend has one. I navigate for her. Which really means that I ride along pointing out the occasional right turn on this street, landmark along the route, or traffic pattern that needs to be taken notice of; but mostly I am there as a companion to sing out loud the silly songs that we love, grab the snacks from the back seat, take pictures, and shout WHHEEEEEE!!! and laugh as we hug the curves of the road in her capable hands.
This evening did not include a train of MINI's through the countryside, just a small group enjoying a yummy meal (Blue Fig Cafe). As I enjoyed the conversation around me, it struck me that if these people from diverse backgrounds could all come together and a enjoy one another's company why couldn't the rest of the world? What was it about these people that they could accept all that come into the fold? Even me, the introverted-misfit-tagger-along. After all, I don't own a MINI. I don't even have immediate plans to buy one (I drive a 2003 Toyota Matrix with just shy of 60,000 miles on her). I am the sometimes NAVI, occasional "sister-wife", and life long friend of a MINI driver; and that's good enough for them. It seems that anyone - be they friend, family, future or former driver - is welcome.
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| Winnie! photo from LEHenry |
It is true that this is a social club with a somewhat large membership. Generally at a rally there will be 20 to 60 plus cars all with a driver, many with a passenger, some with two. Even the dogs come along. It is a small sampling of the larger social incubator. There is representation from many walks of life all enjoying a well planned, theme rich day on the road. To be sure there is a hierarchy and some clicks. You make friends with some or remain acquaintances with others, but in general there is a camaraderie. Everyone is there to enjoy the event and to help others enjoy. We are all there for the same purpose. To enjoy the curves of the road, the scenery around us, and a potential meal after. No matter who or how many attend.
If our communities, our country, the world, could follow suit.... how many problems would be solved. Or just never exist to begin with. If everyone would set there egos aside and look out for the well being of just one other person. If we truly looked at someones life, walked in there shoes, paid a little attention. Wouldn't we be too involved to hate? Wouldn't we have a better understanding of what life really is about? Wouldn't we extend a helping hand instead of a raised fist?
This may be very simplistic and "Polly-Anna" of me, but it's worth a try.
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| Photo found on www.smarterservices.com by doing a word search of "helping hands |
