To Go or Not To Go...

Anyone who knows me would say I am a gregarious, out-going woman, who enjoys people and social settings. And that is true--to a degree. Lately, though, I notice I am more and more willing to "stay home" from social events, even things I had wanted to attend.

Everything has a light and dark side, so there could be concern that I'm hiding or withdrawing. Yet even as I write, I realize I spent the first 17 years of life in a pretty solitary environment, on farms in the country, alone a great deal. My older sisters were away from home by the time I was 12. I had lots of friends and was active in school activities, but large chunks of time were spent alone.

As I approach age 66, maybe I'm slowly circling back 'round to that way of life. I feel a sense of God's call to spend more time in contemplation, to minister from a center that is strengthened by silence. In a time when choices are innumerable if one has the means, sometimes I find it easier to say no to all of them.

Well, this is self-indulgent navel gazing. One day at a time, right? Today I'll be social, going to the "breakfast gang" and later to Grand Rapids for the retirement party of a dear friend. As always, the desire is to keep balance and keep tuned in to the One who IS Life.

Praying for our country and its leaders and wishing all of you who read this the very best!
Stay warm.

"My Country, 'tis of Thee...

Norris took this photo in a nearby village on the 4th of July one year. With the flag's reflection in the window, the people looking out, and the sign "Yes, We're OPEN", he felt it made a statement about America then. And it still does.





...sweet land of liberty, of Thee I sing." So sang Aretha this morning and we all sang along, didn't we? I've sung this sweet song all my life, but only this week did it finally sink in that the first line is saying "it is of you, my country, that I sing." Growing up, we learned "My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing." And I learned it just that way, with no thought to what it was really saying.

Well, today I sang it from the heart along with the rest of this good land, and indeed along with the rest of the world, because today I rejoiced in the symbol of America, as well as the reality of America.

I'm sure everyone is writing something about what this day means to them--some are not as hopeful or excited as others. And yet, somehow, today it felt like we really ARE all one, no matter our several disagreements. I felt love for everyone and hope for everyone. And I felt the Spirit of God hovering over it all, rejoicing, too.

I missed Norris today and Martin Luther King, Jr. and James Farmer and Lyndon Johnson and my grandmother and my friend, Monique, who recently moved to the East Coast. All special to me in various ways; all important contributors to justice and equality and equanimity and godly love. Norris knew, or at least met, all those mentioned above. We are all connected somehow. And I accept, for my part, the challenge of doing all I can to increase connections, encourage forgiveness and understanding, and pray "without ceasing."

This has been one of the greatest days of my life and I will forever be grateful to have participated in it--along with you.

Tomorrow? Yes, we can!

Oh and by the way, Tessa the dog is feeling good, too. Thanks for caring!

Strange Morning

Last time I wrote here, "all was calm, all was bright." This morning it's not quite like that. I awoke with every intention of going to church. It's MLK Sunday and it was important to participate. My dog had other ideas. She's under medication (only recently) for epilepsy, so when I found her with urine and defecation on the floor of the den, I thought another seizure was imminent. And perhaps it was. Not sure. Then she began vomiting. Isn't this delightful to read? Not as "delightful" as cleaning up after it--four times. In examining the "product" I remembered she had accidently gotten into the cats' dry food yesterday. Or, maybe it was because my daughter, niece and I had a raucous late Christmas gift-giving orgy yesterday. Anyway, whatever it was, she isn't feeling good and I'm staying home from church.

Many people go to church to "get" something. I have long since attended church primarily to "give" something--to support and lend my self to the community; to smile and listen and hug and talk and sing and pray and commune with others. Of course I receive as much or more than I give. But it does take energy and after Tessa's presents of the day, I don't have much left.

So, instead I will go to a surprise birthday party this afternoon, assuming the dog is finally done barfing. And I will narrate a beautiful memorial tribute to MLK this evening. That will have to do it for this day. Maybe that's enough. Not every day can be super. And oh, I do love my little dog!

This week, this momentous week, looms large and exciting. Thank God for this hopeful time!

How Can I Keep from Singing?

Good morning! What a fabulously, awesomely beautiful day. You think I'm kidding? Yes, it's -5. But the air is still, the sun shows, and only a few minutes ago I could still see the full moon out this window. Icicles coat the sides of my house and the one next door. Not good, I know. But, beautiful. So much in life is this paradox of incredible beauty, great danger, potential for good or evil or something in between.

Perhaps because I am feeling nourished, loved, grateful, I'm particularly conscious of the gift of being alive today. My little dog is shaking the h--- out of her toy lamb, the cats are fed and asleep, the house is warm and my Social Security check arrived yet again. I am graced with about as diverse a group of loved ones as you can imagine, have friendships old and young with persons old and young and in between. How can I keep from singing?

Thanks for stopping by. Breathe, but not too deeply out in the cold. :)