Nov 13, 2022

  Living in Unconditional Love (88)

“Love flows from God to humans without effort:

As a bird glides through the air without moving its wings-

Thus, they go wherever they wish united in body and soul,

Yet separate in form.”

–Mechtild of Magdeburg

 

My wife Eileen died from esophageal cancer in February 2020 one year after being diagnosed, 60 years to the day that we met on Long Island. Then my brother Tom became ill, and I spent a total of six weeks being with him in Ohio, but he died in October 2020. My sister-in-law Sue Mahoney died from Covid-19 in January 2021. On top of it all stood the pandemic, locking everyone down almost two years, and even though it is abating, I wear my mask anytime I am out among people, unlike many.

11/13/2022                             Just returned from Mohonk Mountain House (Saturday evening). Wonderful time with family and seeing several of the waiters that I know and who remember me. Great relaxing time for me, but Dan and Alesandra were busy with the little ones (21/2 and 16 months). They seemed to enjoy themselves and they spent time at the pool. I even joined them – I am not into water, and that was the first time I have been in the pool, even though it is magnificent. We were in the kids area where the water was chest high on Maria. Towards the end she let go of her parents’ hands and walked on her own to get a toy that was floating in the water. Another milestone achieved. Mackenzie fell asleep in her dad’s arms in the water and had a nice nap for an hour or so, floating and being held securely, waking up smiling.

We took a carriage ride that circled around up to what is named Eagles Nest on Saturday morning, a breathtaking view over the valley and mountain house. That is my favorite spot for viewing, about a mile walk on easy trails. Much of the walking trail to Eagle’s Nest is along the cliff, but the carriage road is gentler and back from the cliff most of the time. It rained on Friday afternoon and night, but Thursday and Saturday were wonderful. A bit breezy but in the 60s on Thursday and 50s on Saturday. We went for a walk around the lake on Friday morning so the kids could throw pebbles into the lake at various points, and when we were at the far end of the lake, about a half mile from the house, it started to rain, of course. But it was more of a warning, so we headed back and made it back to the house before the heavens opened up and it poured.

Oh yes, Mackenzie has discovered the joy of climbing stairs, and Mohonk has many stairs to climb, and she wanted to climb them all. Kind of wore Dan out a bit; climbing five flights of stairs is a lot of stairs – then you must get back down. I did not ask him if he used the elevator.

It is truly astounding to watch little ones reach out and gain another milestone. It is like watching a bird’s first flight – lots of practice, then one day they try it, and it happens.

The house seems very quiet and a bit lonely being by myself, even though it is the normal messy after the kids visit. Gives me something to do tomorrow, and my cleaning service will be here on Tuesday to set things right.

Much to my joy the election was not the disaster that was predicted. Life goes on, and step by step our country is moving to live up to the original thinking, perhaps more so than thought but the Constitution wording gives hope on many accounts.

I am hoping that the brush with the disaster DT brought and who wants to be emperor (he truly believes he can not lose) combined with those who believe he is the second coming of Jesus (yes some do believe that) has worked to increase participation to the point that disaster can be prevented, and cooler heads prevail. Much better than Germany did back in the 1930’s.

Maybe, just maybe, some day our country will truly be a democracy.

If we can survive the climate problem without too many errors the Kingdom of God that Jesus describes, one of peace and love for one another, may someday arrive. Probably centuries from now, but the means of achieving this says it is a possibility.

I can dream anyway.

Meditation

Gentle One, I am resting easy after a glorious trip with part of my family. It is so much fun with wee ones, but older ones aren’t so exhausting and much more interesting. I know that Eileen was smiling along with us, and the result of sixty years of love is truly amazing. I am filled once more with gratitude for the joy of life. I have been blessed beyond my comprehension.