Oct 09, 2022

  Living in Unconditional Love (83)

“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 among people, unlike many.

10/9/2022                      Well, as I write this on Saturday, Dan and family are returning after leaving for their home in Virginia this afternoon to stay the night. Alesandra just had to visit the used children clothing (and toys and highchairs, etc.) once more before they headed home to Virginia, and she is in her fourth month of pregnancy (another girl) and feels very tired. It takes them at least eight hours with all the stops for the kids. It has been a grand two weeks, with Barbara here for great “auntie time” (and toy pickup). They love to dump all toys out on the floor, and maybe put a few back. Lots of fun.

We went to the zoo last Sunday, and Barbara joined us and stayed the week. We did not realize the zoo closes at 3:00, so we had to hurry around. We still saw almost everything. The little ones played in the zoo playground, and then we went to a large city park where a wonderful playground provided a late afternoon joyful time. We put the wee ones in bed early as they were tired for once.

Wonder of wonders, the little ones are very good in restaurants, and we went out several times, even to the Japanese hibachi restaurant and had great food and laughter.

They will be back in a month, as Dan has a customer demonstration on November 8, and then we will go to Mohonk Mountain House for three nights. Looking forward to that visit, as I love that peaceful and awesome scene. I think I love it partly because it was Eileen’s favorite place (cries of “take me to Mohonk occurred every once on a while over the years, and we would arrange babysitters and do a day visit and just walk around). She and her family started going in 1953, and Eileen and I and part of the family started back around the turn of the century every Christmas time.

The colors are wonderful, and they are changing rapidly. I am afraid they will not last long since the change is rapid. It is turning chilly, but we still have not had a frost. Next week it appears ready for very chilly temperature, predicting as low as 32 one night. Yep, that time is coming.

The show that nature puts on every fall is awesome indeed. One of wonders of who we are is that we can appreciate the beauty of nature. That single feature of humanity and many other creatures is proof to me of a greater power in the universe, for beauty of itself serves no purpose that I know of other than providing a sense of peace and love to those who appreciate it. I wish I could impart that sense of wonder to those who say there is no higher power, let alone the God of Love that infuses everything for those who have eyes to see. Love is the force that will see humanity through life, marveling in the wonders that appear daily if one looks. Yes, many bad things happen, and yes, we will die to this cosmology, but the soul-catching wonder that surrounds us always gives me hope when I am sad and lonely, lifting me up to look further.

I have somehow injured my right knee. I woke up two weeks ago with a pain in the knee that would not go away. I finally went to a walk-in, who sent me to an orthopedic doctor. He reports that my muscles have forced my kneecap over to the side so it is interfering with the joint. The good news is that I have little or no arthritis in the knee, so I should never have to have knee surgery. I will be doing physical therapy for six weeks to correct the problem by retraining the muscles. I find that the exercises are stressful, and I will back down on the quantity of reps for now and talk it over with the therapist on my next visit. Such is life at 88.

Meditation

Gentle One, I find myself in awe of the path of life I am on. I find myself talking with Eileen often, and I feel she is responding and helping me when things seem difficult and lonely. Love is always present, and I am often dazzled by Love in many forms and the beauty of each day. I ask that I may keep being embedded in the wonders of life and love all the time.