Jul 16, 2023

Living in Unconditional Love (123)

 

“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 after we met on Long Island. Then my brother Tom became ill (not COVID), 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.

07/16/2023                             Chipmunks are cute, I agree, but they can play havoc in the garden. I have mentioned that I lost many of my garden lilies due to a late freeze in May, but the chipmunks have discovered that the bloom buds are a great snack. Other than one early blooming Asiatic, almost all the buds have been eaten as a snack. They run up the stalk and munch away. They had not done that since 2018 when they devastated the beds and had never done that before since I started growing lilies in the 70’s. I was talking Friday with one of my bonsai friends and she had the same story. All I can do is wait out the year and hope they do not remember next year.

My daylilies are great with many wonderful blooms. But they will be gone in a few weeks, and my garden will lack almost all blooms except for a few here and there. Without an outdoor cat, there is almost no way to control chipmunks.

I had mentioned that I am trying to reduce my bonsai collection, and one of my friends in the bonsai club took five of the twenty-four I had. That will help, as the weather and my health have not been cooperating with the care needed to keep them tidy. As I had mentioned, I had pneumonia a few weeks ago, and even though the doctor had said I was cured of that, I had zero energy during my stay with Dan and the birthday party for Mackenzie who turned two last Saturday.

I am finally feeling pretty good even being able to climb the stairs without needing rest afterwards. I am thinking of getting a thing to hang around my neck in case I fall and break something, as I am totally alone, and no one lives close enough to hear me if I fall and I don’t have my phone with me. I will investigate that next week.

The birthday party on the 8^th (Mackenzie’s actual birthday) was a grand success. Lots of people, somewhere around 30 adults and 20 kids, a tent, and tables for adults, two bouncy houses, one for older kids and one for little ones, a mermaid who kept the young ones (and most of the men) entertained, lots of good food and sodas and lots of water as it was warm. It was a grand occasion. I enjoyed the time chatting with many, including the rare times I have had the opportunity to chat with Eileen’s brother Kevin and Mary Jo. Always enjoy the conversation with them.

I have so much to be grateful for, including a long life and the amazing 60 years with Eileen. I find life can be still enjoyable, and the warm summer helps. I hope to be able to get outside more, as I am feeling better than in several weeks. Life still holds joy and happiness if I can but be still and look and listen.

Meditation

Gentle One, I rest in You as I find the life You give me full of the wonders of all that exists. I am grateful for the opportunities You have placed before me even if I have not always lived up to those opportunities. You continue to show love in all that occurs, friends and family to always be there before me. my wonder and awe in all You have given me fill my memories with joy and happiness.