Nov 24, 2024

Living in Unconditional Love (194)

 

“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.

11/24/2024                                                    SNOW! I had seven inches Thursday night/Friday morning. There was only about half that at bottom of my hill, but at the house I measured seven inches, and I was plowed out by early Friday afternoon. The person who plows me lives not far away, and his father lives not far up the hill, and he is used to the fact that I receive about twice what others get, tucked in behind the crest of the hill and many trees. He came without me calling him. The snow was heavy and wet as it was not that cold. I suspect that unless it snows again soon (or turns colder) it will melt over the next week or so, but time will tell.

Time flies! Thanksgiving is this Thursday, and I have much to be grateful for in my life. First and foremost is that Eileen was in my life and is the rock that my life is built on. I have been blessed by being showered by love all my life; first by my parents and then by Eileen and now by family near and far. I live in comfortable surroundings and have amazing health considering my age.

The Whitney Point field hockey team is amazing. They won the state championship for the fourth time in a row, and for the ninth time out of the past ten championships. They did not win in 2019 and there were no state games in 2020 due to the pandemic. The coach is incredible, and I would not be surprised to see her move on once her own children are finished with high school, but I do not know the family or what her husband does. I have heard grumbles about the fact that they win only because WP does not have a girls soccer team, but there is no way for that to be the answer for the steak over 11 years – talking to one of the girls a year or so ago she talked about the discipline and work ethic involved, so that they are like a family without jealousy but only wonderful friendships. Last year they were picked as the top team in the nation at that level.

One of factors involved with the direction our country is heading, into hatred and anger, is that it is easier to fuel anger and fear and get people out to support that view rather than get people to express love and support. It is a known fact, and I have felt it many times, that getting someone fired up to be against something is a rather simple task – people will march and yell and wave their arms easier when they are angry. Voting requires someone to do a series of things that requires discipline that can wane unless a person feels strongly about things. The sense of duty to vote seems to have diminished as time marches on. All I can do is watch and express my views when I can, and I may not be here when the next presidency is voted upon, but I will continue to express my love and try to do what I feel is the expression of that love.

Meditation

Gentle One, in place my trust in You to aid those who are in pain and for those who will suffer over the next four years or more. Help me to respond well when I hear others expressing hatred for this group or that group. I know that hatred can be expressed in many ways including indifference, so aid me in keeping my heart open to love in all situations.