Jun 25, 2023

Living in Unconditional Love (120)

 

“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 some of the time I am out among people, unlike most.

06/25/2023                                      Today (June 25^th) is my oldest child’s (Barbara) birthday. I still remember the awe I felt on seeing her and holding her in my arms. It seemed impossible to be holding a wee thing that is part of me and part of Eileen, but all her own. As the years have flown by since that moment and I am still in awe at the wonderous person she has become.

This coming Friday is my youngest child (Andrew, or better known as Drew) birthday, bookending a wonderous journey of parenthood. Every time I held a newborn child like that was as awesome as I felt with the first. It is amazing to watch the capacity to love expand and to continue to grow throughout the years, as grandchildren are added, and love continues to leap outward.

We are having some rain as I write this, and the air index is in the green indicating good air to breath. It has rained lightly on and off today, but it has helped watering the dry soil. I was able to walk up the driveway to get the mail and saw that I have apparently lost several of my rhododendron that I had planted over the past five years, or at least all the leaves are gone, and they appear dead. As I said before, the extremely dry May and most of June has affected the plants in ways that are sad.

The iris are at the end but the peonies are in full bloom, and a joy to behold. The bright blooms of many I had bought last year to replace some of the roses that have died but it often takes a year or two before they begin to bloom.

I will be joining Barbara next Saturday and then drive to Dan and Alesandra’s place on Sunday to be there to celebrate Makenzie Eileen’s second birthday on July 8. She may be a wee thing, but full of energy and joy. It will be a joy to be with the family again at this wonderous time.

I have pretty much recovered from the pneumonia that I had but will see the doctor for a follow-up exam on Friday. I have not yet recovered all my strength or weight I lost with the illness, and sleep more than ever, always with a period during the day that I rest if not sleep.

I feel sad for our nation that has slid backwards in its treatment of minority groups in many states, all claiming to act according to the bible. In truth they act opposite to the words and intent of Jesus, passing laws restricting voting and augmenting the worst of the hate groups in similar words Hitler used in the early 1930’s during his rise to power. With aid of the Supreme Court, they have been working to dismantle the protections that had been in place for decades. This is not surprising given the fact that white supremacy in shear numbers is ending, so this is a last desperate attempt to hold their inner feeling of superiority before the inevitable march of time.

Meditation

 

Gentle One, I place myself gently under Your care at this time of my life. You have given me health and joy and happiness at a time when so many feel pain and discouragement. I offer myself back to be whatever service I can offer at this time. I am filled with gratitude and love for all that cross my path and for all that are present in my life.