Have you ever visited Pawnee, Indiana? Probably not, because the town only exists as the locale for the once popular NBC sitcom, “Parks And Recreation.” Now streaming again on Netflix, I’ve rediscovered the zany comedy and, interestingly enough, how it relates to my own life.
One of the funniest shows ever, the series follows the lives (and loves) of a municipal department set in a modest-sized community in America’s heartland. Whether its watching Amy Poehler’s overly ambitious Leslie Knope, Chris Pratt’s dim-witted Andy Dwyer or Nick Offerman’s stone-faced Ron Swanson, the cluster of characters has a unique brand of comedy. And, what’s amazing is how the various styles blend together.
But, it’s not just the non-stop laughs that make this show resonate with me; there’s also an undercurrent of poignancy. During my recent binge-watching ordeal, I found myself crying (a good cry!) as the different characters’ hopes and dreams became realized – even if it took several attempts. This has certainly happened to me in my lifetime.
“Parks And Recreation” is also a master of serendipity, that magical or karma-infused chain of events and people. I can’t tell you how many times an insignificant occurrence (or so I thought) took place in my life, only to have it intersect months (or years) later with another event that ultimately brought me closer to something for which I’d longed. The same has happened with people, who, at an earlier time, might have only been cameos in my life, yet, later return in major roles.
My TV trips to Pawnee, Indiana don’t just remind me to always have a sense of humor about myself and my day-to-day affairs, they encourage me to believe that everything can happen for a reason.
Love and light (and laughter),
Tony
