Stillness

This weekend, my dad came to visit. Being from out of state, we decided to do a bunch of Rhode Island-y things, including biking the East Bay Bike Path, stopping to eat lunch at a clam shack on the water, and going to Waterfire. We did a lot of stuff, but I also realized how much we didn’t do. And it was nice. After lunch at the clam shack, we just sat and watched boats for half an hour. In the evening at Waterfire, we just stood there without talking and stared at fires on the river for at least an hour. We did absolutely nothing, but it was so relaxing, and we still really enjoyed each others’ company. But as I looked around, I saw that I was surrounded by a sea of cell phones. Even as I looked down on the river, a gondola drifted by among the blazing fires and their glittering reflections, and every single person had their heads bent over their smartphones. Doesn’t seem very smart to me.
    I began to think about my little siblings, who are visiting in a few weeks and want to attend Waterfire. I began to wonder, Is this an appropriate activity for them? How quickly will they get bored? Can they just stand here and look at fire without doing anything else? That remains to be seen. But I have faith in them. They don’t have smartphones yet. But as for other people of my generation or younger, it seems doubtful.