Apr 14, 2024

Living in Unconditional Love (162)

 

“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.

04/14/2024                             It felt like a biblical event: the clouds were thick above where Barbara, Janet, and I sat watching for the eclipse in the parking lot of Destiny Mall, just north of Syracuse where totality was expected. Then precisely at 3:23 pm, the moment of totality, the clouds parted, and totality was in full view. It moved me to tears, as we watched without the need of the eclipse glasses one of the greatest events of the skies. Just as soon as totality was ended, just over one minute, the clouds covered the sun once more. We had had glimpses of the approaching event and using the glasses we could sometimes see the moon moving over the sun, but it was totally cloud covered several minutes before the full coverage – until the gift of a lifetime occurred and we could see totality. There were many sitting and standing around the parking lot, much cheering and clapping, the parking lots’ lights came on as it became dark, like a deep dusk after sunset. I took many pictures and posted a few of the best on Facebook.

We had dinner at a Japanese Hibachi restaurant in the mall. The ride home was crowded to put it mildly. The GPS took us back through the back roads in parts where we had never been. One of roads was a rural stretched marked “No maintenance from November 1 to April 1”, but the GPS knew it was a shortcut, and it was after April 1, which may have been a lucky thing as we saw a freshly sawn tree on the side in that stretch. It took a little longer to get home, but no traffic problems.

Then the next day we celebrated my 90^th birthday. I still find it mind-boggling that I am 90. Tim and his family joined us, and we went out to eat where they sang happy birthday to me, and then we came back to the house for angel food cake. Much laughter and joy as we recounted many events during out time together.

Things have quieted down since then, as all gone home, but the daffodils and other spring flowers are exploding and presenting a beautiful show. This next couple of weeks will be glorious with color and beauty, as finally spring is in full swing. The garden and yard have been cleaned and all looks beautiful. It has rained for the past few days, but hopefully it will dry off soon, but the view from the living room is great to behold, but I hope to be able to walk around the gardens and enjoy them close-up.

This birthday has led me to ponder much on the wonders of my life. The many gifts I have received, especially Eileen, the wonders of children and grandchildren, the job opportunities I have had, and the opportunities to give back in the many groups I have been in and/or started. The gifts given to me were many in the living of a great life.

Meditation

Gentle One, I am in awe over the wonders that have been central in my life, and deeply grateful for the many opportunities I have been given. I place myself in Your hands and hopefully will find new ways to serve and honor You. The life I have been granted is beyond my wildest dreams of my youth, and all I can say is thank You.