Humbling indeed! Maintaining and nurturing an inner sense of being grateful for all that I have, from being able to express myself right here using words and transmitting them out into the world, to smelling the salty air over the harbor at sunrise, as I wait for my rowing teammates to arrive, it is all gift, here for today, and for this moment, with no guarantees of the same for tomorrow. That simple realization stops me. It takes my breath away. And as my breathing returns it does so with prayer and thanksgiving.

I believe this happened in two stages in my life. First, back in 2013 when I stepped down from running a Quaker children’s retreat program that I founded 26 years previously. And a second, and huge “letting go” took place in 2015 when I retired. After 31 years of a rewarding and at times challenging career of working with young people, it was time to go when I turned 66. I intentionally spaced those two major transitions apart because I knew that my head and heart would have exploded had I not had a chance to process each of those changes separately. To be honest though, I cannot say that I have “become more,” at least not yet, in letting those two major life events go. There have been welcomed changes, such as having more time to do whatever I want and at whatever time, but that’s about it so far.

Hello Craig, I remember reading that book actually way back in grade school! And, my wife and I have been enjoying this series by the same name on the Masterpiece Theater/PBS on television. What’s more, the TV ‘s series ended for the season just last week and your note here reminds me that the phrase or word “attend” was in that episode as well. Maybe there was a subconscious connection with me using the word in my reflection here but I know for sure it has a lot to do with those involved in ministry, like myself, as the word “Attend“ is frequently Invoked when caring for others and attending to that of the Spirit present in their lives.

“I go to work to work!” Now there’s a concept, my friend. When you think of it, there’d be a whole lot less whining and moaning in the every-day workplace (excluding oppressive working environments) if more people were able to remind themselves that they “go to work to work.” There is a pervasive work ethic floating around out there that the goal of work is to actually due the opposite, which in the end makes people feel miserable day after day. A few years before I retired people would come up to me and say, “I bet you can’t wait to get out?” And I replied, “No. I love my work.” And I loved it until the day I needed to retire.

Oh boy, sounds like you’re a true rower now, Howie! The mishaps are like merit badges over time. When someone goes off their seat in whaleboats, we call it “catching a crab,” and you’re right, it’s always good to get the first one behind you, that way, you can forget how many times it happens after that! Because we row in large work boats, which allows us to change positions under way, whenever any of us try to get into a shell it’s usually a disaster. Step in on port and crash over the starboard side into the water…and not just once! Honest. Hope that the healing goes quickly!

You are a terrific writer, Howie. You really are. Before my back issues become worse I used to do more writing, especially blogging, which I really enjoyed. But I just can’t sit for large blocks of time like I used to be able to do. Seems like you have fresh writing topics every time you pick up a new customer with your work! Your 1500 word a day plan, which is what writing coaches always tell people to do, also reminds me of Mark Train’s famous line when he was once asked how he managed to write so much great stuff. He said, “Don’t worry if your writing is good or not, just write. I write one page of masterpiece for every 99 pages of shit.” That line always kept me going!