Peace

I had a good week. I am optimistic about my future. I am surprisingly sad at the prospect of leaving where I live. I submitted a paper. I am busy at work (in a good way) and outside of work. I have decisions to make.

I wish I had written this post earlier in the week.

I wish I had finished my Christmas and Hanukkah cards before today.

Alas, I did not, and there are parents facing the tragic loss of their children that I cannot begin to comprehend.

It is the week of 'Peace' during advent, and tonight I am wishing many people peace in their lives. Yesterday I would have been able to write a more calming 'Peace' post. Today, I will leave you with some thoughts by more articulate people that now take on a new meaning. From our church service last weekend:

We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers, look heavenward and speak the word outloud.
Peace. We look at or world and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, and then into ourselves.
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:
Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul.                                               ~Maya Angelou

From our Associate Pastor's installation last weekend, the Prayer of St. Francis.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

Culture clash

I recently spent a lovely evening with a friend at a community-based micro-finance type event. The project presentations of note were for a local neighborhood-based history museum, a high school community-building art project, and a dog park.There was also a 5th-6th grade group returning to give an update on the project they had received funding for last spring.

The dog park group wanted to build a shelter at the park and a rain collection system if they received the funding that night.

A student from the 5th-6th grade group asked how "they would get food at the shelter".

The dog park presenter went on and on for what seemed like forever, but was likely 30 seconds, about dog treats, and the dog owners bringing food if they want to, and how great it would be for people to share treats because dogs love treats.

I cringed. I hope it was inside. My friend noticed the same disconnect between an inner-city elementary school student's understanding of the word "shelter" and the dog park presenter's understanding. Don't get me wrong - a dog park would be a great way to attract people to move into a city that has fallen on tough times. The people who have stuck out those tough times need some recognition though.

I voted for the high school group that was competing. Dog park users probably have enough money to build that shelter if they pool their resources.

Wanted

You know what is amazing?

When you have close friends
and their friends
and newer friends
all telling you
to move back to them
or where you might move is not close enough
or don't leave this college town
because
we miss you
or
we will miss you.

Hope so

Hope...Sometimes hope feels far away. But hope is always there. Hope is the warmth of strong arms around you. Hope is the sad tears flowing, making room for joy. Hope is angry words bursting, making room for understanding. Hope is scared words asking for help, and finding that help is there. Hope is knowing that you are loved. Hope is knowing that you love others. Hope is holding tight to your mother's hand. Hope is your father's good-night kiss. Hope is remembering his kisses when he can't be there with you. Hope is finding happiness in simple things. Hope is daring to do something you've never done before. Hope is remembering that you are not alone. Many others feel just the way you do. Many others care. Hope is a candle flame in the darkness. Hope is the clear sky above the gray clouds. Hope is the glistening of the snow when the storm has passed. Hope is a heart that is open to the world around you. Hope is knowing that things change - and that we can help things to change for the better. Hope is always there inside you, waiting to unfold.

- Lauren Thompson

'Tis the week of the 'hope' candle in advent. 'Hope' is something I have been struggling with. While I think this excerpt is from a childrens' book, it helps separate the idea of hoping from wishing. I am fine with the present. The day-to-day. It is looking ahead to what will be going on 3 weeks or 6 months or 2 years from now that makes me want a glass of wine on my couch and then to curl up in bed.

In other randomness and to get into the holiday spirit, I finally treated myself to a nativity. I had been looking for one that was not super-breakable and not a bunch of white people. I got this from the Serrv shop at church, and they have other lovely ones.

 I got and put up and decorated my lovely tree all by myself. I am self-sufficient like that.

As needy as my cat often seems, you gotta admit she is awfully adorable when she cuddles in like this. She slipped and didn't make it up when she jumped up on a dining chair this evening. She either needs more exercise or is getting old or both.