Sep 24, 2023

Living in Unconditional Love (133)

 

“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.

09/24/2023                             I received my fall vaccinations (COVID and flu) on Friday, and as usual developed a slight fever and a general feeling of the blahs. I have spent Saturday lying around in my clothes and with a heavy bathrobe on to maintain warmth. But this too shall pass. This week was busy with company meetings and grocery shopping and all the usual stuff, so I did not call the doctor about my lack of energy. Next week!

My long-time neighbor died this past Tuesday. He was slightly older than me and had lost his wife several years ago. He had moved into his son’s house in Virginia a while back, but we still maintained contact and I had chatted with him a couple of months ago and he seemed fine, but another of his sons messaged me on Tuesday that he had passed away that morning. He will be buried out of our Whitney Point church (St. Patrick’s), as he and his wife had gone there for all the years they lived here. They were good neighbors, and we had many a good chat over the years. I was sad to see him move, but he was finding it difficult to get around and the move was good for him, especially as he continued to lose abilities.

My back yard is still a mess, but they hope to try to add the thin layer over the base concrete and even out the first pour this week. Then they can start the next pour on the patio. This is taking longer than I had hoped, but it will be finished. Sometime! It all depends on the weather. We have had much rain, which is not good for fresh concrete.

I find I feel much gratitude for all that has been given to me in my life. As I approach a milestone birthday in about six months, I am amazed at tall the wonderful things that have happened to me. I have a beautiful home, wonderful family, and stunning interplay with nature. I can afford all I need to maintain my lifestyle (which is becoming simpler), so what more do I need? My health is excellent for my age, and I have little or no pain to contend with. I am amazed at how things are.

We have slipped into fall, with cooler temperatures and shorter days; now the nights are longer than the days. Like most of us, I prefer the longer days and warmer temperatures. It is amazing how time slips by, and life goes on preparing us for the colder weather ahead.

Meditation

Gentle One, You reminded me once more that life is fleeting. I have much to be grateful for, and much of my time is spent remembering the joys of life, the many happy moments, that wonderful feelings of love and peace You have filled my life. I have gazed at Your wonders over the years: nature, babies, laughter, more babies, and the steady process of life flowing onward.