Jan 12, 2025

Living in Unconditional Love (200)

 

“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.

01/12/2025                                                    It is hard to imagine that this will be the 200^th journal entry under this name, plus the others I wrote before this. I sometimes wander through some of the entries before and can see the gradual evolution of the journal and the evolution of my life journey, especially as I absorbed the loss of Eileen. Aging is part of life, and I can truly say that as long as I am aging, I am doing well. The alternative will come all too soon.

Winter is truly here. The high’s have been in the teens and twenties all week, even though it is supposed to warm slightly before turning colder. I have enjoyed the warm house and kept cozy during this spell, and when I had reason to go out it had better have been a good reason, like a doctor visit. I had the driveway plowed (again) on Saturday, and it looks nice as I write this. I am sure more snow will fall (in point of fact some did fall in the afternoon) but it is not bad. I don’t venture out to the mailbox or get the paper unless I have another reason to go out like doctor or store visit. So many times, several days’ worth of stuff accumulates before I pick it up.

I have bought tickets to go to Peru shortly after Valentines’ Day and return in late March. I will be there for Maria’s and Maddison’s birthdays, and of course for the anniversary of Eileen’s death on February 22. As I have said, I would rather be part of the delightful noise of the family at that time rather than sitting in the quiet of my home by myself. I am astounded that it will be five years that Eileen is gone as it seems only yesterday.

I was deeply saddened by the death of Jimmy Carter, who exemplified by his gift of service what a Christian should be like. His long career was spent in service to his fellow human beings and left a legacy to be admired and to follow. I am in awe at he continued to serve until his health prevented him from further effort. Even the simple personal effort of working on a home for someone in need shows what can be done when limited resources are available.

Meditation

Gentle One, once more I am grateful for the capability to live a long and happy life, even if many sad things have occurred. I look forward to seeing the little ones soon and rejoice in the wonders of the beautiful snow the breathtaking beauty that winter brings. The gift of seeing the personal love of such a person as Jimmy Carter has lifted my life for many years and will continue to be a beacon of love personified.