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1988

2/23/2011

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Some mornings my son and I would drive down Centerville Lane to his preschool. Valley Nursery School was a good place: organized, kind, and empowering for the children.

Some afternoons my son and I would walk the other direction on Centerville Lane. Our house rested on the crest of the hill. As we walking on higher ground, our steps paralleled a ditch of singing frogs, through an open field, nearly touching a small barn home to many rabbits, then down the stretch of road bearing left.  When we stepped off the road, we made our way through weeds, to
a tiny creek. Standing there together, I hope that we noticed many things, but what I remember is that we found water striders, those thin, light insects that are equipped to do what we could not imagine an insect would do -- walk on water.

Some of this walk my son and I shared hand in hand and I believe I will always remember these outings because of the tenderness of the excursions, the pointlessness of it all: no job done, task completed, or errand run. Rather, we walked for pleasure.

Who began this short tradition? We only lived in Houghton, New York for two years. How many times did we return? I want to say too few, too few, too few.

That we were wise enough to even once stand and watch the water striders walk for a few moments is really enough. We were mesmerized by their design that made them appear to be magic.

Sometimes I have felt that to do what life requires is equal to walking on water. We don’t really know if we can until we try. Maybe, like the water striders, we will inspire those who have eyes to see.


Photo from Wikipedia.
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this shining girl

2/21/2011

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Here is a reposting of an early essay. I now have the images I had been wanting. Thanks to Susan!

I think it was in 1971 that I drove to Marshall Field's in Oak Brook, Illinois, to shop for a birthday gift for my high school friend, Carol. We were both in college now, and she was turning 20. 

Once in Marshall Field's I walked to my favorite department--china. But this time, instead of gazing at the cups and saucers, I found myself in front of porcelain statues. That day, I purchased this statue for Carol knowing that it was an unusual gift for girl friends. A $4.50 bracelet would have been adequate. But this girl, this shining girl, cost me $28.00.

Clarissa Pinkola Estes writes that dolls symbolize little life. It is the symbol of what lies buried in humans that is numinous, "the small glowing facsimile of the original Self," that which is eternal in each one of us.

If this porcelain statue or doll has anything to do with my spirit or Carol's spirit, the life of the Divine within us, I can observe that she is calm, watching the movement of the butterfly on her hand. Movement is seen in the lift of her skirt. And I sense that the Spirit of God would move freely in her heart.

These days, Carol and I share this statue, along with a relationship of spiritual companionship. She is a spiritual director in Chicago, not far from our childhood homes in Wheaton, IL. We, like the shining girl, are trained to follow the movement of God.

photo credit: Joanna Matlak
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a surprising song

2/19/2011

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When my husband and I begin centering prayer I sometimes sing a song. Last week, the song that came to me was "O Come Let Us Adore Him." It is no longer a seasonally appropriate song, nor did it reflect the concerns we had just been talking about. Yet, it was a breath of fresh air, a reminder that adoring the gift of God in the birth of Jesus is always timely.

As I recall, Jonathan joined me singing the scant lines we could recall. This song moved us into the worshipful place of prayer.

I am reminded of the words from the Godly Play curriculum in their presentation of the message of prophets. "Stop, look, pay attention, something important is happening." 
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what I saw

2/15/2011

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I noticed two things this morning at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Our intern showed us her digital images taken in India. When I saw the faces of the orphans, one face drew me in. She was pretty, but not the most beautiful. I believe I caught something about her spirit in mine. I pray that God would bring something new and good to her, lead her in righteous paths and train her to care well for others.

The second thing I noticed was the wine being poured out of the glass cruet into the silver cup. How many times have I witnessed the priest preparing the Eucharist? This time, I actually saw the wine in motion.
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ice at home and paralysis in Egypt

2/3/2011

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We all have something to say about the news coming out of Egypt. Yesterday I wondered if the storms moving across America could remind Americans of the paralysis there. 

For so many days masses of Egyptians have stood and spoken, willing to disrupt their lives for fundamental change in their homeland. 

I think of Ann San Suu Kyi (Burmese opposition politician and a former General Secretary of the National league for Democracy) and her statement that, "To live the full life one must have the courage to bear the responsibility of the needs of others . . . one must want this responsibility." 

Since Mubarak has been irresponsible, the people show their courage in correcting him. They are taking responsibility for their future, not for their sakes only, but for the generations to follow. How beautiful, daring and courageous!
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