May 04, 2025

Living in Unconditional Love (216)

 

“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.

05/04/2025                             Just finished watching the Kentucky Derby, and it was exciting. The winner pulled away down the stretch after coming from the middle of the pack. He was in the 18^thposition, so he had to move over a bit, and it was an exciting race. The favorite came in second on a very muddy track. Eileen loved watching the triple crown races as horses were a deep love of hers. She had a horse for almost 20 years, finally selling Star because Eileen was finding it difficult to ride without pain.

This is the time of year when I find myself switching from heat mode to AC mode, on a day-by-day basis. It appears that it may rain for the next week or so, so I expect to leave the system in heat mode during that time as the forecast has a high in the 60s all week.

I had my COVID booster shot on Friday, and I am having my usual reaction. Ate very little today, lay awake last night with the shivers much of the night. Not too bad, but definitely not feeling my best. I am not sure about going to Church on Sunday, and I will have to see how I am in the morning. (Sunday: I went, nice to see the First Communion for five little ones. I remember when our small church at 25 or more.

The peak of the daffodils has now passed, but I still have a lot of late blooming types that will continue to bloom for the next while. The rest of garden is looking good, and the needed rain we are having will help ensure good blooms at the appropriate times.

Our country is turning into a self-centered nation, where the poor and hungry in our nation and the world can die or suffer as they will. It is definitely not a Christian nation as it rejects the words of Jesus on so many fronts. Truly sad to see it. T’s budget is brutal, removing food from the poor and starving everywhere, including our own children. And many approve of him and his policies, and many of those who disapprove do so because they will not be able to buy what they want, not the pain and suffering his policies cause.

Meditation

Gentle One, I come before You in tears for the pain our nation is causing all around me and in the world. Our refusal to share with the poor and suffering is reflected in the cries for mercy in our world that our nation is rejecting. I beg of You to open up our hearts to those in need and respond accordingly.