One long-gone summer’s day, my brothers spoke to me across the rooftops.

When I was a NYC Transit cop in the city, I drove about forty-five miles from West Islip to Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx to patrol the subways.

There was a lot of heat, noise, and danger.

Those forty-five miles from family were bearable because at the end of the day, I’d return home.

The work was hard, sometimes risky. But I knew every day I made that trip to the city, why I did it.

It was love for my family.

My brothers and sisters across America and Canada know what I’m talking about. You do it too.

My readers in Asia, South America, Europe, Africa, and Australia, you also know.

I watched these men labor from a tether’s end, one mistake from disaster. They risked all, yet they continued again and again.

They did it for the same reason we all do it.

Love of family.

If they had spoken, I wouldn’t have understood them.

But they didn’t have to. They communicated wordlessly, and I heard them clearly.

I understood.

I was them.

They were me.

They are all of us, traveling, at times, great distances, across this planet. They take risks, doing whatever they have to—for family.

Yes, I heard them, and I recorded them:

Many of you are followers of humankind’s user manual:

“Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself.” (Confusious, five hundred years before Christ)

“That which is hateful to you don’t do to your fellow. That is the whole truth of the Torah; the rest is commentary.” (Rabbi Hillel, first century)

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against your people, but love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus, Old Testament)

Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” (Mathew 7:12 New Testament)

“One should never do that to another which one regards as injurious to one’s own self.” (Hindu, Baghavad Gita)

“Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.” Mohammed’s Farewell Sermon)

“Just as pain is not agreeable to you, so it is with others. Knowing this principle of equality, treat others with respect and compassion.” (Jainism)

Maybe we need to refer to our cherished manual now and then.

Be well,

Leebythesea

See my darker side essays: Wherethesundontshine.