Mar 09, 2025

Living in Unconditional Love (208)

 

“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.

03/09/2025                             This has been a most challenging week. I ate something wrong last Sunday and spent much of the week being in close friendship with the bathroom. These things happen. I have been fortunate in my previous visits that I have not had any problems, but the seafood that I ate did not go well. I am feeling well as I write this on Saturday, but I have not been out much except for Monday when I accompanied the family to a play area in a mall before falling ill that night.

The play time was fun for all even though I only watched them in sand piles, firehouses, playing doctor offices, bouncy areas, and slides that were two stories high. All had a good time.

The rest of the week I spent resting and trying to regain my health. Today, Saturday, we went to a “farmers market” across the street, where a dozen or so stalls contain food and souvenirs for all and walked around the edge of the cliff looking out at the water. The sky has been hazy much of the time, so the sun was not too warm while strolling around. That was the first time I have been outside after Monday, and it felt good being outside.

The kids started school this past Wednesday, even Madison who is not quite two, but big for her age, in the top 90 percentile. She was not too happy about starting and leaving her parents, but from reports she quickly became one of leaders of her group even though she was the youngest there. Having older sisters helped I think as she was used to demanding her space. The school is within walking distance, so both parents could take them and pick them up. Madison will be two in two weeks, and I will leave for home shortly after her birthday.

Meditation

Gentle One, I place all my troubles in Your care, as only under Your care can we find peace. Help us all in our difficulties as we struggle to find our path to Your joy and show us the way in our ups and downs that our paths in life.