May 14, 2023

Living in Unconditional Love (114)

 

“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, and even though it is abating, I wear my mask anytime I am out among people, unlike most.

 

05/14/2023                                      I am writing this from Virginia at my son Daniel’s home. Dan, Alesandra, and the older girls (3 and almost 2) are off to a birthday party, and Barbara is taking care of the wee one, giving me time to sit and write. I had almost forgotten how busy a household with three little ones is, always something going on and wash to do and fold. Lots of noise and running about when all are here.

We went swimming today (Dan and the two girls) but we all went to the pool. The girls had a great time in the pool as they love the water. We were there a little over an hour in the water, but of course much more time was spent preparing and especially cleaning up afterwards, but laughter and fun had by all.

I had left on Tuesday to go to Barb’s. We went to a play then a surprise 80th birthday party Wednesday evening. Lots of fun and chatter – very good time. We left Thursday to come down to Virginia and had a bit of a problem on the New Jersey turnpike – a pop and then we could feel a thump, thump – a flat tire! Barbara only had one of the small tires for a spare, so we had to wait while the repairman went back and put a new tire on so we could drive the next 200 miles. Other than that, the trip was uneventful.

One of the nice things that occurred while we waited was that two different people stopped to see if they could help. Both were mechanics, and they both said they could change a tire, but we had already sent off the person to get the new time. It is surprising to see how helpful people can be in a difficult time. If anything, that has given me hope for the future. There is always something to see and learn when things seem to go wrong, shedding light on a dark time.

Little ones are so full of energy, and it doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Last night the two-year-old became sick in the middle of the night, and everything had to be changed. Today she was fine, swimming with glee and now off to a birthday party for a little boy turning two. I have corner room downstairs, so nighttime sounds don’t bother me.

The gift of life just starting, and the little ones are so full of life that fills the house with laughter, crying, and various other noises – always at full blast! Naps are rare and the girls stay up late and sleep-in to a certain extent – usually after 7, and the older one until 9 or later. But of course, the new one, 6 weeks old, is up every few hours demanding food. Life is certainly busy for young parents, and I do remember those days: hectic times, little sleep, but always the joy of laughter and surprises that made it worthwhile. Even at my age I enjoy being in the mix, even though there is little I can do and usually just hide out in a corner letting it sink in for the future.

Meditation

Gentle One, how I revel in the sounds of life springing alive in this young family. Noisy, messy, but full of life. Usually gleeful and at full speed, it is amazing to remember the gift of life of my own young family. I am grateful for being able to listen to this family and remember my own, noisy, and always full of sound and joy and life, always life.