Sep 28, 2025

Living in Unconditional Love (236)

 

“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.

09/28/2025                                      We finally had some rain this past week and that helped immensely. It was nice to hear the rain falling all day. It rained on and off for several days so I hope that things will do well. There is no rain in the ten-day forecast, so we are not receiving the usual fall rains and things look to remain dry going into fall.

Then leaves have only changed slightly. With the weather being so dry, I am not sure what the depth of color we will see this fall. The forest across the valley is still mostly green but the change has started.

A few gladiolas, daylilies, and my beautiful pink climbing rose still have blossoms and create bright spots in the garden and front deck. I am happy to see how well the garden looks, and the drought has stopped the weeds, and all looks good. The garden has had a beautiful season, and I have no plans to plant anything new this fall. I plan on mowing the lawn sometime this coming week with what may be the last time for the lower lawn and one of the last times of the year.

I did receive both the flu and Covid shots this week and suffered several days of feeling poorly but feel normal now. That response is usual for me, mainly from the Covid shot which always affects me strongly for a couple of days. I am told that feeling poorly is a good sign that the immune system is responding well to the shot. I hope that is true and not just something to make one feel better after the shot.

Our country is in a poor way with the rough shod treatment of the poor and immigrants. It can no longer claim to be a Christian nation, even though many who back the evil treatment of the poor and the starvation and death of thousands claim to be Christian, but their actions portray otherwise (By their actions you will know them). I am pleasantly amazed at the outpouring of thousands protesting those moves and feel sad that the Supreme Court sides with that thought line. Hopefully the nation can survive three more years of this, but so much depends on the election next year.

Meditation

Gentle One, I lay these sorrows and joys before you. The gifts of love and beauty fill my days with joy, even though I weep for those in the pain of rejection and loss. I beg of you to help us see the beauty You have given us and the wonders of the simple fact that we can understand and share these beauties in our lives.