To the editor;
I apologize and wish I could delete the last paragraph of my letter regarding Dr. Buxbaum. (Sept. 15, 2010)
Orcas Island IS an evolving model of generous support and providing for the best interests of the community. It is with appreciation that I am hoping for creative alternatives for retaining a valuable medical resource person on our island.
Rivkah Sweedler
Rivkah,
I’ve known the Buxbaum family for a while and whole heartedly agree about all of them being a benefit to our island. I lament their imminent re-location to somewhere other than Orcas island.
Your last paragraph was troublesome for me also because you called for a paradigm shift. You didn’t go the easy route and ask for help from a (or more) person. Paradigm shifts aren’t an idea first. The are only seen after the fact. We can’t change social structures in the abstract. They change because one or a group of people act differently than might be expected. They act unselfishly because they see that, obviously, ‘I’m’ only a part of ‘us’, and ‘I’m’ only here to serve ‘us’. It’s to my (and everyone’s) benefit to support those people who know and act from this obvious fact, like Dr. Buxbaum.
Your final paragraph might have gone something like: ‘Is there someone(s) residing on Orcas Island, who has sufficient resources and awareness of Dr. Buxbaum’s value in our community to financially underwrite Dr. Buxbaum’s pediatric clinic? Then we (our community) can continue to benefit from his presence and good works.
Supporting good hearted people who operate with good intentions is real, and worth supporting.
The labels will come in their own sweet time, and are not realy as pertinent as the good will.
Thanks for your love and concern.
Jim Ekberg
Orcas Island