For some it serves as a spiritual discipline;
for some it provides nurture;
for some a place of reflection and inspiration.
Some find healing here,
some hope,
some grace.
During the summer of 2011,
filled in holes,
trimmed weeds,
and repaired the path
for the Ghost Ranch
labyrinth.
17 July 2011
Filed under Family, Ghost Ranch Views, Photo
Congratulations to Eric who graduated from Bowling Green State University yesterday! He got to post pictures on Facebook. I figured I could post here. He chose this one for his profile picture so I chose it. I also took the pictures so I have some claim to them.
It was a very nice day – although a cold continued to plague me. Tricia and I got up early and she drove over while I slept. We arrived around eight-thirty. We got the tickets from Eric and went for a quick breakfast. We returned to Eric’s apartment and drove him to the Stroh Center. He entered with the other graduating students. Tricia parked the car. We found seats and saved some for Eric’s uncle and aunt – Paul (my brother but I am trying to give Eric the lead in this story) and Cindy. Eric’s cousins Billy, Greg, and Tom also attended.
A brass quintet played Christmas music before the graduation ceremony. The announcer said that commencement would commence and the quintet started into “Pomp and Circumstance.”
Those on the platform were introduced. A short speech was delivered. The names of the students were read. Eric walked across the stage, shook hands, received his diploma (well an attractive case to hold the diploma that they will mail to him), and returned to his seat. When all his fellow graduates had received their attractive cases sans diplomas, they moved their tassels. A couple more words followed and the commencement ended. And Tricia and I became parents of two college graduates.
When we got back outside the Stroh Center, snow had begun to fall.
From there we went to Hanna Hall for a very nice lunch provided by the Geography department. Eric graduated with a double major in Geography and Sociology. We enjoyed the opportunity to meet his professors. After enjoying conversation and lunch, we went back to his apartment.
We helped him gather up his things. I picked up one bag and winced at its weight.
Eric: That one is pretty heavy.
Me: You’re telling me.
Eric: There might be weights in there.
Me: There might be weights in here? Didn’t you pack it?
Eric: Yeah. There are weights in there. Two ten-pound weights.
He had packed a lot of other things in it as well, but I managed to carry it.
Tricia safely navigated us home through the snow. Upon returning to the Erie Shire, she had to go to UPS to ship back her router. Eric and I went out and shoveled the driveway and sidewalk. We then went next door to shovel for Al and Pam – he has shoveled for Tricia in the past and it seemed like a way to help them out.
After a brief rest, we ventured into the snow again (it had stopped by this point) and went to a restaurant of Eric’s choosing – Tommy’s in Coventry. Some things never change.
A good day!
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Family
About a month ago, I posted about our Cleveland Heights neighbor Andre. A friend of our older son, Andre had been seriously injured in a one-car accident. Recognizing that I should have done a better job of posting updates, I say with joy today that Andre’s recovery progresses. He will spend a night this weekend in his own apartment to see how he manages.
Thanks to all who have read about Andre – prayed for Andre – thought good thoughts for Andre – or simply had your heart touched by his story.
See you along the Trail.
Despite my best intentions (or at least pretty good intentions), I did not take part in the Salisbury Presbyterian Church 5k Turkey Waddle that raised funds for the Central Virginia Food Bank. Many possible reasons exist for this decision. Bottom line – I need to take better care of my self.
Check out the pictures I took of those who ran, jogged, walked, and waddled.
So much for this year. But next year. Next year. I have already started getting ready. And this time . . . this time.
See you along the Trail.
Thanksgivings in Virginia involve
assembling and decorating the Christmas tree
for Tricia’s parents.
This year proved no exception.
Sean, Tricia, and I put up the tree.
Eric and Tricia added the decorations.
Most of the ornaments are tin;
many are painted, some are not.
Trips to New Mexico regularly include a quest
for new ornaments.
See you along the Trail.
Not that we need any reminders of how precious and fragile life can be; still they come to us almost daily.
I just got an email from Tricia who had just talked to our next door neighbor Al in Cleveland Heights.
Al and Pam’s son Andre was in a serious one-car accident on Friday. He’s in Metro Hospital in Cleveland with numerous broken bones, including neck and back, a head gash… not breathing on his own at this point, has had several surgeries. They believe he probably fell asleep at the wheel – his car hit a tree. They had to revive him.
Andre and my son Sean are the same age. They graduated from high school together. They were never close – but they were neighbors and friends.
I remember playing catch with them as children – tossing footballs and baseballs.
I remember birthday parties when they were little.
I remember walking home from church one day and finding Andre and Sean sitting on our steps using sticks to shoot at cars – they must have been four; neither Tricia and I nor Al and Pam allowed our sons to have toy guns, but they figured it out anyhow.
I remember when they broke one of our basement windows playing soccer. Pam’s father fixed it.
I remember their graduation. Laughing, dreaming, posing for pictures.
I remember talking to Andre about what he was doing and what Sean was doing when I would come home through the years.
I remember. And today I pray. And I ask you to do the same.
See you along the Trail.
Incredible as it sounds, I plan to take part in a 5k on Thanksgiving Day. Sister-in-law Jane suggested it.
They bill the event as a “Waddle.” I can do that.
Jane and Sean will run or jog. Eric may do the same. Tricia will walk. Other family members may run, walk, or jog as well.
Me, I plan to creep, with occasional bursts of waddling.
Now that I have provided the best laugh you will have all day, you might consider making a gift to the Central Virginia Food Bank – the cause supported by the event.
See you along the Trail.
Yes. The commercialism of Christmas annoys me. On Tuesday, November 1, while on my way to have lunch with my friends Leo and Theresa Chavez Sauceda in Vallejo, I stopped by a drug store – one of the major chains, I forget which. Transition dominated the shelves that day. Of course by now, the transition is completed.
Halloween items: gone.
Shelves: stocked with Christmas items.
Yes. In many ways it is too early to begin thinking about Christmas. But, when one lives in multiple places, one has to plan time with care to do what one wants.
So my plans for December have begun:
Today, I added another item to the list.
On my way to worship with the saints of the United Presbyterian Church of Ozone Park, I noticed a woman wearing a hat. Her hat reminded me of my hat-wearing friend Merdine T. Morris. And I knew.
December needs to include time to see Merdine T.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Family, Friends
Grief compounds grief.
Each new loss, however profound or simple, touches old losses, however simple or profound, however raw or well-healed.
The losses need not be ours. When a family member – someone we love – even a friend – endures a loss, it sets the spider web of our emotions trembling. It touches our soul.
Each new loss tears at us, raking the scars and the scabs we carry – sometimes causing minor irritation – sometimes a bit of seepage – sometimes opening afresh old wounds – sometimes inflicting new ones.
Grief compounds grief.
I have shared that insight with family, parishioners and friends.
I have known that intellectually.
I have lived that.
Grief compounds grief.
In recent days, a number of my friends have experienced the death of dogs – faithful pets, beloved companions.
I have grieved for each friend – I grieved with each friend.
And in that grieving, I have come to realize – that I still grieve for Charley – who shared life with our family – who shared life with my brother’s family – for many years. On a pretty day at the end of April, Charley was put to sleep following a period of illness.
With a heart that aches for many reasons, I say to my friends who grieve the loss of a pet – peace. Peace be with you. Remember. Shed a tear. And rejoice.
Grief compounds grief.
See you along the Trail.
A movement caught my eye.
I sat at the kitchen table in Cleveland Heights, working on one of the presentations I will make in Wooster this weekend.
The blur of dusky brown drew my attention from the computer. Deer appear regularly at the Erie Shire; more regularly than I do.
On this late afternoon, three doe (yes, only two appear in this picture) grazed the buffet of flora that our back yard offers. Not wanting to frighten them, I took pictures through the window.
Did she hear the shutter? I find it hard to believe, but doe closest to the window turned when she I took the first picture. It appeared to me that she gazed through the window, staring at me, posing the question, “Just who belongs, and who is the visitor here?”
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Family, Photo
