Land, Air and Water

Basic elements of life. We should add fire to the list, and maybe some others, like food, shelter, safety, clothing and the like. You know, the basics. What about them? Well, we take them for granted most of the time unless there is something missing. Like not enough food, or water. Maybe clothing is up to the job we hope them to be given specific situations, and then temperatures enter the picture. Are we too warm or not enough? You see the possibilities.

And of course, shelter may be too rude or rich for tastes, and fire remains a need mostly hidden in furnaces and radiators. But the need for flames to cook, to warm, to burn rubbish, to flicker before our eyes of emotions. Yes, fire is many things.

But the others? Land, water and air? What do we say of them?

Ah! Well, we need the land to stand upon, or sit, or do activities that matter to our wellbeing. Land that defines home, of course, and local areas common to daily life. Land upon which we grow our food, hunt animals for our meaty proteins, land that adds to our wealth whether real or perceived.

Water, too, a basic for drinking and preparing other foods for consumption. But water also for bathing, sailing, shipping, beauty, recreation and power. So many uses. So many hopes from each of them.

Then there is air. Air we breathe to sustain life, to produce oxygen in our lungs for the heart, brain and tissues requiring oxygen, which is all living things. Air quality. Not too much smoke or dust, or water, or chemicals derived from so many sources. Air quality. The thing we think of only when it is poor. When it makes us sick. When it does not sustain life.

Illnesses surrounding air are many. They rob living organisms of life-giving oxygen. Shrink the supply or restrict it in anyway and the brain warps perceptions, thinking, awareness, alertness. You get the idea. There’s a reason people with breathing or lung disorders suffer nightmares. Lack of oxygen causes the terrors, you know. They really do. Took me decades to finally realize that. So, I take care of my air supply and its quality. Oxygen. Tubes. Breathing masks. Meds, even. And not only in old age. This has been a lifelong task of mine. And for so many others.

Easy to take air for granted. But also, water. Is it where it will do the most good? Or is it slipping out of shorelines, down mountainsides into mudholes and streets and yards. From thence to our homes and buildings. We think of these things when they pose a problem.

I think we should have been thinking of the basics all along and kept them healthy. For all our sakes. Yes. Indeed.

October 7, 2024

 

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