Category Archives: Friends

December 16, 2011 · 11:18 am

A good news update

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.

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November 27, 2011 · 11:56 am

Until next year

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.

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November 20, 2011 · 7:50 pm

A reminder

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.

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November 9, 2011 · 5:54 pm

Incredible plans

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.

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November 6, 2011 · 5:52 pm

What I am doing in December

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:

  1. Travel to Cleveland
  2. Buy coffee for Carol at Noble Road Presbyterian Church (probably with Eric)
  3. Coffee (recurring theme) with Francis and Isaac about the Dougbe River Presbyterian School
  4. Go to movies
  5. Watch football
  6. Finalize the “usual events” – Christmas Day at my brother’s home; Trivial Pursuit; Steelers games at the Winking Lizard;

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.

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October 31, 2011 · 2:19 am

Thanks for all the saints

Today (Sunday 30 October – I write in Folsom, California) provided a great reminder of the Communion of Saints – a wonderful experience on Reformation Sunday and the day before All Saints’ Day.

Today brought the privilege of speaking at Davis Community Church – an experience that reminded me of the saints who are part of my life.

Mary Lynn Tobin, the pastor of Davis, and I attended college together – just a couple of years ago.

Nancy Eng MacNeill, colleague and friend, served as my chauffeur. Her family has put up with me and will continue to do so for the next few days.

Jewel Kinney, who attended a seminar that Rachel Pedersen and I led at Ghost Ranch, greeted me during the worship service.

David Rue, a friend from Cleveland where we engaged in antiracism work together, stayed for both my presentations.

Tom and Joanne Haller, long-time peace activists and acquaintances, came to the presentations as well.

Alice Nishi, who served on the task force to study reparations, made it to my first presentation.

Ripples of friendship, collaboration, and shared living, extend widely from each of these people – moving through my life, calling to mind countless individuals who have touched my life and who continue to journey with me in the Communion of Saints.

We do not live alone but within a web of relationships that transcend space and time. And that is good. Very, very good.

For all the saints – those I remember, those I forget, those I have never met – for all the saints, thanks be!

Nancy Eng MacNeill took the picture.

Yes, I need a haircut.

Yes, I need to trim my beard.

See you along the Trail.

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October 28, 2011 · 7:04 pm

I ate the chocolate

I ate the chocolate.

And I made a contribution to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.

To the meeting of Presbyterian Social Ethicists, my friend brought a cauldron, some Fair Trade Chocolate, and Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF boxes.

“Why are you bringing chocolate?” I asked. “People will never eat it.”

It appears my friend was correct. Again.

Hopefully others will find some way to support the work of UNICEF this week and through the year.

See you along the Trail.

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October 5, 2011 · 12:18 am

More on mismatched names

Yesterday I described a recent travel experience in which my boarding pass had the name people call me by and not my legal first name. Between two gate agents and two security check points only once did this draw a comment.

A trusted friend reminded me that this was an experience of privilege. And she is right. I believe that her “wild guess” that “this would not have happened so favorably to others” is correct. I was privileged in my treatment and in how I viewed that treatment.

Am I asking that I should have been hassled? No. But I do think everyone should be treated the same and if that means I should have faced more complications because others do, and others would, then so be it.

See you along the Trail.

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September 11, 2011 · 2:21 am

God’s Tears II

A couple of days ago, a conversation led me to reflect on rain as the tears of God. A friend said that his mother had told him the rain is God’s tears.

I took the approach of God weeping over the pain we inflict on each other – the ways we hurt one another – the damage we do. The ways we treat each other certainly grieves God sorely. Indeed, it seems that God could weep eternally over ways we violate God’s children. Sorrow, pain, grief, rage, all produce tears.

In response to my reflection, my friend Grace posed a simple question: “Are there ever tears of joy?”

I suspect that the events I was dealing with last week narrowed my vision and limited my thinking. Many things touch our hearts, minds, spirits, souls. The beauty of the world may make us weep. The wonder of love may cause us to cry. Amazing grace, incredible courage, profound sacrifice, all may elicit tears.

Tears of joy? Absolutely. Every day. Thanks be to God.

See you along the Trail.

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September 10, 2011 · 5:09 am

Team Sean

Sean participates in the Ironman Wisconsin in Madison, WI tomorrow. I am impressed by the dedication he has shown to prepare for this event. It is very exciting. I will be glad to hear when he has finished. His mother and his aunt will be present in Madison as his cheering section. Actually, I think they are there now. And I wish I was. But it did not work out that way.

We came up with the idea of creating a group “Team Sean.” We made a sign and then invited folks to take pictures of themselves in various places and post the signs on his Facebook page. Folks did. The picture posted here is an example: Joel in Dublin with one of my favorite libations. I put another on Sean’s page.

I am very grateful to our friends who have participated. It has been fun to see the pictures and good to know that so many folks will be thinking of Sean and the others who are doing a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run tomorrow.

See you along the Trail.

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