Touching Base

I left a comment the other day on Kyla's blog where I used the phrase "touch base." Although it is an expression I use fairly frequently I had a sudden and very strong image of all of us, this whole virtual community, "touching base."

When I was kid "base" was usually a tree used as the safe spot for a game of hide and go seek with the neighbors. We'd all sneak out of our hiding spots and dash for the safety of the tree, then stand there, with our hands on the rough bark, panting, and yet revelling in our safety.

And so the image I had was of us all meeting at the tree, coming out from our hiding place, or whatever it is that keeps us busy. With our palms on the bark we lean into the tree trunk while we talk to each other. We've come back to this base - this safe place - to reconnect, to share, to play and rest and just be....) Then we'll run back out for another crazy game.

But we'll be back. To touch base.

Jen's post comparing writing and reading blogs to gathering around each other's campfire made me think of this same thing, too: how when we would go camping when I was a child there was nothing like a campfire to bring us together at the end of the day, to sit, and talk, and sing. Walking through the campground we'd often be invited to sit at a stranger's campfire, and we'd share conversations and s'mores. Campfires are a lot like "base." Only don't put your hand ON one. Please.