May 22, 2022

   Living in Unconditional Love (63) 

“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 to the day that we met on Long Island. Then my brother Tom became ill, 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, and even though it is abating, I wear my mask anytime I am out, unlike many. 

 

05/22/2022 Another challenging week, but also filled with love. I went to the wake and funeral of my friend Bill Bennett and then back to the house to chat with the family after the cemetery process. Sad but meaningful. We used to end up at Bill’s house after going out to dinner, and we always had a toast of Irish Mist at that time. When I was at the house his daughter Terry pointed out that there was an unopened bottle of Irish Mist still there, and would I take it home with me, and I did. I had a toast to Bill, Eileen, and Marylyn that evening. Seemed fitting. 

My other friend who was supposed to go into hospice did not make it. She died that Sunday, with her son and grandson present; fitting, as they live in Austria and did not think they could make it back for a funeral later, and now they are already here. 

Spring is certainly popping. Today (Saturday) we are having record setting heat, so I changed the system to air conditioning from heat mode. Comfortable mid-70s right now in the house. The plants for the window boxes and three planters arrived today so I planted and watered them. I had put the new soil in the planters yesterday, and something knocked over one planter and mauled the soil in another (bear?). I will have to watch tomorrow (Sunday) to be sure they are all ok. Sunday: all are fine! 

My wild azalea group is starting to blossom with their beautiful pink blooms, and some of my early azaleas are starting. It is amazing, but we are about three weeks earlier than only a few years ago. 

The wild azaleas are called Pincus, and there was a grove of them at the edge of the woods when we came here fifty years ago. I have transplanted many around the house and in various gardens over the years, and they provide a pretty pink show in the spring and an attractive bush over the summer. They self-seed nicely so the woods edging the hill beside the house always has a nice line of pink blossoms in the spring and I carefully watch and encourage new plants. I remove other bushes that prevent the Pincus from being seen every spring. The grove has extended itself over the years, and now is along part of the path leading to the pond. 

I find it awe-inspiring to watch the slow but constant evolution of the wildlife (plants and animals) in the area, and it is exciting to see again each year and to see the subtle changes that occur. No two years are alike, and I love to wander about to see what is new. Trees fall, spring runoffs create different paths, different areas have a bloom, new challenges appear along previous paths, and more, much more. 

All the lilacs are in full bloom, and the one that was flattened by the snow in April shows plenty of new growth for the future but no blooms this year. The smell is delightful when walking by. 

God provides me with many interesting things to see and do in my world, and I know I am loved. 

Meditation  

Gentle One, I know that You are holding me as You have always held me. I try to keep centered on what is happening now, only now, so that I can find all the joy You have placed in my path at this time of life. This time of year is glorious with new life, giving me ample examples of the process of life’s awakening. Bright colors abound, even the new leaves are a bright green that will darken over the months. I am grateful for all that I see and feel, especially the love that fills the air.