Sep 29, 2024

Living in Unconditional Love (186)

 

“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. Covid has proved to be a persistent problem, and many of the long-term effects are quite serious, and it has proven much more serious than flu.

09/29/2024                                                    October is upon us, and the temperatures have fallen. Not yet cold, but generally in the 60’s. we have had much rain this week, so I have seldom had to water the bonsai still on their outdoor stand. I will not bring them in until the lows reach into the 20s, and right now it is still in the 50s at night with an occasional low in the 40s. most of the bonsai still have their leaves, but they are showing signs that they will soon lose them.

I did not come down with Covid last week even though I may have been exposed, so I had the new Covid booster and flu shot this past Friday. I had my usual bad night, and Saturday was better, but I was very tired all day. I will be attending a wedding in three weeks of a grandnephew on Long Island, and I wanted to have full protection before venturing off to that fun affair.

The gardens look good, but very little bloom left. The gladiolas in my garden have not bloomed, and I do not think they will bloom as they show no blooming stalks. But the glads I planted on Eileen’s grave have three stems about to burst into bloom soon, and I am happy about that as gladiolus were Eileen’s favorite flower.  The bulbs seemed small, and I suspect they were not fully mature when harvested. Nice green plants but no bloom. The cool weather may have played a part as I suspect it is a fewer degrees warmer there.  I thought the price was too good to be true, and it seems I was right. I did not plant any mums this year and do not plan for any in the future. I still have a few that come back every year, but even those are slowly vanishing.

We are losing daylight at the highest rate right now. It is almost fully dark by 7 and I find myself turning lights on earlier, especially now that it has been raining the past few nights. My AC unit (a heat pump) keeps the upstairs warm, and I have not turned on the oil burner. It can be quite cool downstairs, but I seldom venture down unless I am washing clothes. Then only tv I watch downstairs is ‘Dancing With the Stars’ which is on now, and of course ‘Bridgerton’, but that is only every two years.

My life is simpler now, without any major things to do. Even though I feel generally good, I seldom go out or venture to anything. Aging does slow one considerably. I try to attend a Mass on Tuesday morning followed by a bible study, but often dr. appointments (Chiropractor) prevent me from staying for the bible study.

As an aside, I receive many phone calls every day, but my system alerts me verbally if I do not want to answer. The majority say, “potential spam” and I do not pick up and they leave no message. I suspect most are political in nature. Saves a lot of walking. I have received 4 while composing this journal.

Meditation

Gentle One, I rest in Your care and place myself under Your protection. I worry for my nation as we approach the election, and other factors that face our poor world at this time. I know that all will be well, indeed, all will be well, but so much of the time it is difficult to see that outcome. I am indeed grateful for my long life filled with love and joy so much of the time I am amazed.