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Gratefulness
Today I am grateful to be alive, to feel, see and know the grace and power of something we call Spirit. That alone is joy and gift enough!
Probably the one piece of advice that has made the most difference in my life came from my parents who always encouraged me to “follow my passion” in whatever it was I was doing.
The beauty is life itself, the cat curled up on a nearby chair, our dog, content and old asleep at my feet as I write within my little room, not quite an office, my shabby sanctuary and keeper of decades. Right now, the gentle patter of rain against the window behind where I have the privilege to sit, reminds me just how small I am in the whirling cog of things. And my never tidy counter, adorned with favorite rocks that speak; a two-foot plaster sculpture of who else, but me, a gift from a c...
The beauty is life itself, the cat curled up on a nearby chair, our dog, content and old asleep at my feet as I write within my little room, not quite an office, my shabby sanctuary and keeper of decades. Right now, the gentle patter of rain against the window behind where I have the privilege to sit, reminds me just how small I am in the whirling cog of things. And my never tidy counter, adorned with favorite rocks that speak; a two-foot plaster sculpture of who else, but me, a gift from a child now many years ago; and finally, on my door, a collage of family faces staring right back at me, a gift last year when I turned seventy.
Look at them directly, smile, and say, “Hello!”
In every way possible! I have the privilege of sitting here, safely, in a warm house, leisurely exploring this site, preparing to write, while sipping my morning beverage. Within two hours I’ll make my way to the harbor to prepare my rowing team’s whaleboat for our morning’s row of exercise, camaraderie, and sheer joy of being out on the water. All this, before eight in the morning! And, I could continue, but more would be gloating.
At barely 4 AM, it’s just me and our dog, Gracie, tooling around this wonderful and quiet house. But on any given day my way is made smooth by grocers, baggers, coffee shop workers and any assortment of people working with the public, none of whom I know by name, yet still, they do not feel like strangers. They are people, who make me more complete, within.
Reality and need. Reality, because thinking, wishing, and believing, don’t make things happen. Work and commitment make these things happen. And the second part of my answer, “need,” is about knowing what I need, and I personally do not have a need for an extraordinary life. What I do strive for is a life of purpose, meaning and usefulness that adds a measure of worth and perhaps joy, as rent, for my time here on the planet.
For starters, the global pandemic, and how the virus has impeded and hugely changed how I interact with people around me, including touching, not touching, embracing, and physically distancing, supersedes my ability to even begin to consider today’s question. If I am able to respond to today’s question at all with any measure of sincerity, it would simply be: Oh, how I miss my fellow human being, the close bodily chatter, the handshake and hug, the heartfelt no-holds-bar embrace, of that ...
For starters, the global pandemic, and how the virus has impeded and hugely changed how I interact with people around me, including touching, not touching, embracing, and physically distancing, supersedes my ability to even begin to consider today’s question. If I am able to respond to today’s question at all with any measure of sincerity, it would simply be: Oh, how I miss my fellow human being, the close bodily chatter, the handshake and hug, the heartfelt no-holds-bar embrace, of that which completes my humanity.
Probably nothing, because that’s not how I go about solving a problem. Being in a “problem-solving mode” is not a negative experience, it’s quite the opposite. I find great satisfaction in solving a problem. Once the problem is solved, there’s plenty of time to sit around and marvel at the accomplishment and be curious. Sorry, that’s just the way my brain works.
Actually, I am not surprised by the way in which my life has unfolded because I was on the planning committee for it since early on. It could be argued that I have lived, for better or worse, a rather conventional life for the most part, and yet have found wonderful doses of joy, happiness and wonder along the way. I have no regrets.
I wouldn’t regret anything, because if I suddenly died this evening, I’d be dead! Besides, I never work well on deadlines anyway.
It was dress-up time again at a children’s retreat for Quaker children. For the fourth or fifth time running the “wedding” was on for one fourth grader and her ever so carefully chosen staffer-spouse. The wedding party was assembling, complete with ushers, bridesmaids, groomsmen and preacher, complete with robes, even something that looked like a Bible or something official. Dixie cups jammed with dandelions adorned the isle, there was confetti, everywhere, and everyone was taking their...
It was dress-up time again at a children’s retreat for Quaker children. For the fourth or fifth time running the “wedding” was on for one fourth grader and her ever so carefully chosen staffer-spouse. The wedding party was assembling, complete with ushers, bridesmaids, groomsmen and preacher, complete with robes, even something that looked like a Bible or something official. Dixie cups jammed with dandelions adorned the isle, there was confetti, everywhere, and everyone was taking their seat.
Maybe he had cold feet or was worried about appearances, the child’s emotional well-being, or possible attachment issues or what they taught him years ago in seminary. It was, after all, his fourth time at the altar of holy matrimony in less than two years!
So when the wedding hour was fast approaching he tried to let her down gracefully, suggesting a short list of other people…children, or staff as eligible suitors. But she was not buying a word of his attempts to slip away. He sensed that she was serious about this. He also did not want to disappoint. And for a man who was supposed to be in charge of everything that weekend, he was nervous and unsettled, too.
She, summing things up, said, “No Kevin. I want to marry you. It’s okay.”
“Besides,” she said, “It’s pretend.”
– Kevin Lee (Back story: Years ago I founded and ran a children’s weekend-long retreat program with about 30-40 children. During “free time,” children loved to put on skits and so forth, and for several years, it was one “wedding” after another, and despite my urging otherwise, they kept choosing me as the groom!)
Moments when I feel the most content are:
> Spending one-on-one time with one of our seven grandchildren. > Sitting in our living room with my wife, gazing at a crackling fire in the fireplace. > Spending time with our dog, Gracie. > Rowing with my teammates in a 28-foot whaleboat. > Simply watching birds at our bird feeders.
My family and my faith have helped me in times of grief.
Every single one of them, living or not.
I already believe, and know, that every moment of my life is a gift. Knowing that, and feeling that, has set my life’s path on a course that Spirit, and only Spirit, knows where it leads.
For me, another question must come before the “wanting to be right” question. How do I know if my answer, response or assertion to a particular question or situation is, first of all, correct or accurate to begin with? Previous experience, and knowing myself, has taught me that it’s best to gather my facts first, then listen to others and not be among the first to speak on the matter before me. When I am able to do that, my response is usually more accurate and truthful.
As to th...
As to the “wanting to be right” question, all I need to do is bounce the whole thing off of my wife. She, like nobody else, will let me know what is and is not truthful! Honest.
And you as well, Christine.
Beautiful and honest, Christine. Thank you. And yet, I will say, for the very reason you were so understandably and legitimately frightened, many men today, who are understanding and kind, upon seeing your coat on the train, would have left it where they saw it. As a man, it saddens me to know that among my first thoughts and emotions in similar circumstances, my first thought too often is, what are the optics? Should I or not?
Beautifully stated, Michele. Thank you.
Love your response here! Thank you.
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