People sure are important. But there are two kinds of “important”. At least, that’s what I think. There are those folks in life that show you love, care, compassion, and tenderness. They have warm and giving hearts. They make the world a better place for being it it. They share their experience, strength, and hope.  They are stars to me… as bright and brilliant as they come.

Then, there are the other kind of important folks. I call them the “Too Big For Their Britches Bunch” or TBFTBBs. BFBs for short. Some people are so dang pivotal and consequential, they will be the first to tell you so. Oh… maybe they don’t saunter right up to you and say…”You know Joe. I am about as prestigious and significant as they come.” But they will show you in other ways. They are good at it.  They have a real case of themselves.

Up the street from us, we are fortunate enough to know the “Gullah Basket Weavers.” These are warm-hearted, good-natured ladies (and some gentlemen) who have learned the West African Slave “Art & Tradition” of Gullah Basket Weaving. They pass it down, from generation to generation.  They tell great stories.  They are gifted Artisans.

Downtown here…. there isn’t any city “permit” system for these ladies to occupy the sidewalk and sell their wares. No. The “spot” on the street also has been handed down from generation to generation, and they are all very respectful of the social stratum. It is a Charleston Historical Tradition.  It is cool, really.

So now back to the TBFTBBs. They remind me of Dr. Seuss’ Star-Bellied Sneetches. These folks are so important, that they don’t even acknowledge the presence of of these ladies on the street. They pass them by, day in and day out… in their suits and fine dresses. They cannot say hello, or smile at these women. No. These BFBs have much more paramount and momentous items on their agendas. There are luncheons to go to, hair appointments, real estate deals, and “charity” functions to attend at the Yacht Club.

I know it bothers these ladies. They have told us so.

It bothers me too.

The fact of the matter is…… none of us are perfect. There have been times in my life when I probably got too big for my britches. And…that bothers me too.

But these days, I try to remember that I am merely a speck. From dust I came and that is where I will return. Carl Sagan once said…“Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people.”

Now if today’s writing doesn’t cheer you right up…. I don’t know what will.

But no matter what Sagan says… many of you are stars to me.  Shine on.