Living in Unconditional Love (249)
Jan 04, 2026
Living in Unconditional Love (249)
“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.
01/03/2026 It is always amazing to start a new year and to think that I am still here. We had an amazing time during this time of welcoming, with all my four of my daughters and my granddaughter Natalie home, Drew had his two small ones over on Christmas day, and we had Christmas dinner and spent time with Tim, then we went on our usual trip to Mohonk where we had a wonderful time in that beautiful place. While there I had many long conversations with Eileen’s brother Kevin and his wife Mary Jo.
Janet left on New Year’s Day, Barbara left on Friday, and Maureen and Karen and Karen’s daughter Natalie left today, Saturday as I write this. We had a cold white Christmas that left me unable to trust myself being outside during my stay at Mohonk, but the lodge is beautiful and a restful spot to just sit and read, so that is what I did. It was amazing how many of the staff greeted me sometimes even by name, but many recognized me, and all the staff always said hello with a smile. Mohonk is still owned by the same family since 1869, and the warmth and joy that exists there is hard to beat.
It is taking me a bit to get used to the quiet as all are gone, but Tim is having his house insulated next week and the family will stay here during the week that the smells linger. Their dogs and cats will be here but downstairs where they can be controlled. Upstairs has too many things that are vulnerable to wagging tails and lively dogs to chance it.
Even though I had a great time, my thoughts and prayers were reaching out to the many suffering from wars and starvation, many through the actions of our government that is causing needless starvation deaths and I continue to ask God to soften the hearts of those causing the pain.
Meditation
Gentle One, I put my trust in Your goodness and mercy and ask for relief for those unable to live in the conditions they find themselves in in these wintery months. I ask for pardon and mercy on those perpetrating these pains and to somehow soften their hearts.
It was wonderful to be with you at Mohonk and to sit warmly by the fire with you. Our quiet time there was a blessing as we face the challenges of our troubled country.