Jul 21, 2024

Living in Unconditional Love (176)

 

“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.

07/21/2024                                                    I am writing this during a short break as Dan and family are off trying to find a place to swim but the parks may be closed for swimming due to algae. They arrived Friday evening and Tim and I picked them up in Syracuse. Two cars – one for people and one for luggage.

Saturday was Alesandra’s birthday, and we spent the day shopping and eating. She wanted an American Diner experience, so we ate brunch at the Park Diner that is in South Binghamton – excellent food, then shopped all afternoon and bought a birthday cake, had dinner at a Korean Restaurant that was excellent, then came home late, had the birthday cake. Great day but exhausting for me.

It is, as expected, noisy and exciting with the three little ones around, but fun. The wee one (Madison) is only one but she is into everything. Tall for her age, has not yet learned to talk, but is adamant on holding her own in the maelstrom of her two older sisters, three and four. Exciting to watch but exhausting. It is amazing to see the love that flows between them and yet each is demanding of what they believe are their rights. They often are all holding hands (even the little one) and dancing and just protecting one another, especially Maria (the oldest) who watches over the other two carefully.

The garden is beautiful as it is the peak daylily season and the Orienpet lilies are beautiful. I am happy they can see it now, and all the rest of the kids will be here this coming week. Maureen and Karen are flying in Tuesday and Barbara will be driving up and picking them up. Janet and my grandson Brendan are coming Thursday, and more granddaughters will be here Friday. Great time!

I will take this opportunity when all are off to take a nap and enjoy a moment of quiet.

Meditation

 

Gentle One, You are granting me the joy of family amidst the beauty of summer bloom. I am indeed grateful for ll the excitement and joy that all this brings. The fruits of the love between Eileen and I is indeed breathtaking and the joy this brings is a wonderful gift.