a new way to pray
Generation to Generation
…we were sharing more than sandwiches and chips. It was a eucharistic moment. It was a “Prayer C” eucharistic moment, where the mothers and fathers of one generation gathered to celebrate Christ’s presence with the generations to come, and with those who have gone before.
Catch up
Where did the last six months go? Let’s catch up and reconnect with gratitude!
From my mentors: intergenerational household lifestyles
Embracing the Future Together, Part Three
Embracing the Future Together, Part Two
Embracing the Future Together, Part One
Savory Days
My parents have changed. Remembering what was keeps me from noticing the beauty of their life today. These two were the life of a lot of parties. Carl telling a story set on or near a military base overseas where the denouement is an extraordinary meal. Leilani dancing with whoever will dance, her fluid hips revealing decades of cumbia skill.
And now Carl spends most of his days shuttling between a recliner, the kitchen table, and the bathroom. His movements limited to where the walker will fit. Leilani’s dance moves are confined to the cottage, the rhythm of the day set by preparing meals, passing out pills, and the Wheel of Fortune. Her sight limited by macular degeneration. They used to drive all the way from Orange County, California to La Paz, Mexico in 2 days. Not too long ago they camped in scenic spots going cross country. The triumph of these days is the absence of indigestion, getting the remote control to work, and walking to the mailbox.
Dumb-asses & Abiding Love
Imagine Jesus texting you when you are making lots of dumb-ass mistakes in a row. You ignore the messages.
Finally, Jesus texts and says: “Hey, I was human once, too. I know this is all really overwhelming. Let’s talk. And just so you know- Nothing you can do will separate you from my love. Nothing.”
(Photo by Daniel Fazio, Unsplash @danielfazio)
Turning toward Gentleness
The rainbow reminds us that God got out of the spiral of human hatred and violence, and promises to be in relationship with us in life-giving ways, instead of ways that cause destruction. This is a profound covenant. It’s as though God was participating in the escalation of the violence, then had a change of heart that led to this rainbow covenant. This rainbow signifies God turning toward us, inviting us to turn toward God.
Photo by @steve_j on Unsplash
I don’t feel like it.
Pushing through the “I don’t feel like its” produces good things in our lives. (Photo by @agustinfernandez on Unsplash)
a big push
I present to you a big push in my life, and to stand on the other side of it absorbing its change:
Over the last month we moved my parents from their lovely home in the mountains of Arizona to our newly renovated basement, henceforth to be called “the cottage level.”
Transformation Toolbox Presentation
Today I had the great joy of exploring how we trust God through times of transition with the women of the Diocese of Maryland through the Claggett Center. Here are the presentation slides.
Turning
On Monday I leave for Arizona. When I return, we begin sharing our home with my parents for what I imagine will include the remainder of their days. I look forward to daily, casual contact with these two people I love. I have not lived at home beyond summer breaks since leaving for Whittier College in September of 1991. Then, I moved east for graduate school, and stayed. I have longed for the pattern of weekly or monthly interactions with my mom that I have enjoyed with my Maryland-based in-laws: holidays together, dropping by, helping with kids, meeting up for a play or meal, birthdays, craft days, sports games, doctor appointment rides. I’ve wanted that with my parents for a long time. I’m not sure that I imagined them living in our home, and yet, here they come! I’ll have all the interaction I’ve been craving right here at home. 24/7.
Crackle & Flourish
2020 may be the worst party guest ever. Even so, how can we muster some generosity of spirit to make the season crackle and flourish?
Studies in Adversity
These are the engrossing stories - stories of adversity that bend toward deep connection with the universe; toward embracing beauty, truth and gift; toward acceptance and transformation; toward a freedom to understand the past and move into a hope-filled future.
Through Adversity
The ACE test is like golf — a low score is better. My score was pretty high, and that caused me to reflect on how I survived and grew resilient.
My best guess: Good people. Good people were there to listen, direct, comfort, affirm and shape me.
deliberate & pleasant
Wisdom I needed to hear, and want to share… from Dr. Cynthia Macri.
The Thanksgiving Conversation
This touchy family conversation topic has started coming up multiple times a day on the phone and in zoom meetings and in the news. Friends are: annoyed with a rigid relative, saddened by grandparents that canceled, ecstatic to avoid their usual unpleasant family meal where loud political yelling reigns, nervous about upsetting a friend who has nowhere else to go.
That’s a whole lot of emotion. It’s not new emotion, right? It’s a combo of the usual family of origin angst plus the pent-up frustration of 2020 plus the urgency to come up with a plan for NEXT WEEK.
Jesus doesn’t know how to drive
“Jesus take the wheel!” goes some country song.
Are you kidding? Don’t you know Jesus walked everywhere? Once in awhile he traveled by boat or donkey.
Jesus doesn’t know how to drive.
But you (probably) do.
(Side tangent for the comments…. if Jesus could drive, what kind of car would he have?)