I’m trying to do better at self-care. This means a deep reduction in the Seamless orders and some cooking on my own. It’s not my best thing, but I am getting there.
Traveling with Tricia for our 40th anniversary reminded me of how much I like cauliflower. I have always liked salmon. Now I am trying to figure out how to cook both of them.
This was my meal on March 23.
After the prayers had been said
and the motions had been made;
after the rulings had been dispensed
and the speeches had been delivered;
after the instructions had been given
and the buttons had been pushed;
after the votes had been tallied
and the results announced;
after the passion
and the decent order;
after . . .
. . . the assembly sat in quiet contemplation,
pondering who had won
and who had lost,
considering what was gained
and what the cost.
My heart sundered the silence,
breaking, softly breaking,
for those, who by official action,
had been denied their full humanity,
and, whose gifts, but that same official action,
had been rejected.
A tear slid down my check,
coming to rest in tangled whiskers.
A single tear
shed for those beloved of God
who the vote would exclude
and for those
who out of fear
or prejudice
or lack of love
or for whatever reason
sought to shut doors –
and build walls –
and keep out –
and settle once and for all;
and in so doing
lost an opportunity
to join in
God’s amazing,
welcoming,
including,
affirming,
door-opening,
wall-smashing,
never-ending
love.
This was written after the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s 208th General Assembly (1996). That assembly met in Albuquerque, New Mexico and took action to recommend a change the church’s constitution that would ban LGBTQ individuals from serving in ordained offices. I attended that assembly as an observer. As the United Methodist Church meets to wrestle with similar questions, I remembered this piece and choose to share it.
Filed under Current Events, Family, Friends, Human Rights, Poem, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
At the request of a family member,
I added a happy photo.
I think the shirt will be appreciated too.
I must have been three and living on Neville Island.
Never did like an umbrella.
… and bald.
I’m in the process of digitizing some old photos. Right now I am working through a group that my aunt (Hi, Aunt Pat!) gave to me.
Not sure how old I am in this one – I am at my grandparents’ home in Grove City.
This was, and is, my happy face.
See you along the Trail.
Walking. Morningside Gardens.
Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen
Babalao – Angelique Kidjo
Cecilia – Simon & Garfunkel
Cheek to Cheek – Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
Christian Island – Gordon Lightfoot
California Dreamin’ – Queen Latifah
Peggy Sue – Buddy Holly
Yellowbird – The Carnival Steel Drum Band
Colonel Bogey March – Coldstream Guards
Back to You – Luna
Cut It Out – Indigo Girls
Fire and Raine – Blood, Sweat & Tears
Billy Don’t Fall – Terence Trent D’Arby
House at Pooh Corner – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Curious – Hayley Kiyoko
This playlist is based on one originally created by my sister. Some of the artists differ as do some of the songs. But it is basically hers. Thanks!
I often post a photo of a toast to my father on this day, the anniversary of his death in 1974. This year, I have been digitizing some old family photos. It seems appropriate to post a photo of my father. We were younger then.
Thanks, Dad. Miss you.
See you along the Trail.
On the way to see Come from Away, New York Christmas sights were visited.
The tree.
Rockefeller Center.
On the way to see Come from Away, some of the New York Christmas sights were viewed.
1251 Sixth Avenue.
