Happy 11th Birthday Little Chick
9 years ago
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
The passing of the crystals
The crystals of sand pass through the hourglass one at a time. slowly drifting through the funnel connecting the top spout with the bottom one. There is a gentle rush of the crystals as they pass through the spout. Standing still is what they do when they reach the bottom having made the journey until their world is turned upside down and its outside participants are engaged in a game that pits their knowledge of language against the clock.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Cleveland Quackers
The topic of Cleveland has come up a little bit in my travels through New England in the past month. At a local retreat, the speaker asked if anyone was from Cleveland. I said I was. Following his talk on his life, he mentioned that we are all made for a purpose. He asked what the function of families held, the function of the universe and he even mentioned what is the function of ducks. I said their role was to quack. Thus a quick way to call myself a Cleveland Quacker who likes to speak what others have said.
My cousin married a fellow from Cleveland and when I was at their reception, I sat with a bunch of people from Cleveland, Ohio. It is a very critical area since that is where I originated on the Columbus day back in 1962. It is also the town where I learned to love to eat noodles which is still one of my passions to love pasta. And it is where I learned to understand at an older age the way the football game is played with four downs for each possession of the ball.
Noodles are a cool invention of food that are flat and they hold their shape no matter how much boiling happens in the water. It is also a good way to get indoctrinated into the world of food. To have a german nana serve me the food I never saw with my adult eyes but have been told the story numerous times.
Our origins are always important places that can connect us to stories told at a sermon or sitting around a table with family and friends.
Go Cleveland Browns which are the same color as ducks-brown!!!!
My cousin married a fellow from Cleveland and when I was at their reception, I sat with a bunch of people from Cleveland, Ohio. It is a very critical area since that is where I originated on the Columbus day back in 1962. It is also the town where I learned to love to eat noodles which is still one of my passions to love pasta. And it is where I learned to understand at an older age the way the football game is played with four downs for each possession of the ball.
Noodles are a cool invention of food that are flat and they hold their shape no matter how much boiling happens in the water. It is also a good way to get indoctrinated into the world of food. To have a german nana serve me the food I never saw with my adult eyes but have been told the story numerous times.
Our origins are always important places that can connect us to stories told at a sermon or sitting around a table with family and friends.
Go Cleveland Browns which are the same color as ducks-brown!!!!
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Circles of Life in time
A change of pace and perspective gives one a better view of ones surroundings. While waiting for the use of the internet computers at the Burroughs/Saden Library in Bridgeport, I sat in a seat-part of a row of blue seats. The area where people usually sit was roped off with yellow tape due to a peeling ceiling. When I looked across the room, I saw the bronze doors surrounded by the stained wood. It brought my mind back to the many times that I have been at the Grand Central station with its bronze doors and the beauty that surround the many aspects of the station. A different view to attain from looking at one of the gems of the city which I am pleased to be a part of.
Writing on the topic of vacations is the suggested topic for the workshop this week. I have taken many a trip into the city of New York to do some sight seeing at area museums or just to have a bite of something to eat with my cousins and family. The city of New York is a bustling place with tall buildings of glass windows, concrete walls and many projects that are under construction. The city has a constant influx of people in and out of it-just like the blood vessels carry the oxygen and nutrients to our bodies while removing the impurities from it. The heart of our bodies is just like the Grand Central station bringing with it the people into the heart of the city.
As I remember some of the thanksgivings at my cousin's apartment in the city, I see the sideboard table with the white linen on it and the bowls of hot stuffing and oyster and turkey dressings, the green bean casserole with almonds and the freshly sliced turkey with the aromas raising from each bowl. The tables that we used were borrowed from a local church to fit all of us around it and gave us a sense of a community and family. A good way to gather after not having been around for a while to catch up on the news of what went on during that year.
This past weekend, I spent the time with the same cousins and family at a reception celebrating Kate and Williams recent marriage in Italy. It was a good opportunity to say hi and make some deeper connections with those that I spent a week with in December 2003 with Kate and Seiji. It was easier this time to talk to and reflect on life with Bill Reed and with Prim and Derek since in the last few years have gained an understanding into people's lives a little better. It has been time to reflect on the hurts that some people go through and the time to realize that all moments in life are precious. When I look into the lives of my cousin Bruce and his family and realize that it was through the grace of God that he was spared a tragedy when he had to escape the twin towers on Sept 11th to safety. And as I was leaving to go back to the bus/train station to go to Connecticut, Bruce played a video clip from his cell phone of his daughter, Izzy, playing on the piano of his wife singing "They are playing our song, they are playing our song. On the bottom of that tape was inscribed Sept 11,2006 at 11:43am. It was a simple yet profound words spoken by a 4 year old-the meaning that I still try to uncover. It could be that in our consciences even when young , a message comes forth that state that somehow, those who lost their life through heroic efforts such as the firefighters and police that my cousin passed that sunny tuesday morning in a darkened pit of stairwells in a building under collapse had in a way reached my cousin, Izzy , who somehow grasped the importance of life and in a way shares it with others. Showing that the lives lost that day are not in vain. That it acted as a way of a temporary heart allowed life to flow its course to bring life into others.
So thanks to the change of scenery this morning that caused me to look into the doors at the library in a new way and to begin to connect some random thoughts of family and life that are not so random after all.
Writing on the topic of vacations is the suggested topic for the workshop this week. I have taken many a trip into the city of New York to do some sight seeing at area museums or just to have a bite of something to eat with my cousins and family. The city of New York is a bustling place with tall buildings of glass windows, concrete walls and many projects that are under construction. The city has a constant influx of people in and out of it-just like the blood vessels carry the oxygen and nutrients to our bodies while removing the impurities from it. The heart of our bodies is just like the Grand Central station bringing with it the people into the heart of the city.
As I remember some of the thanksgivings at my cousin's apartment in the city, I see the sideboard table with the white linen on it and the bowls of hot stuffing and oyster and turkey dressings, the green bean casserole with almonds and the freshly sliced turkey with the aromas raising from each bowl. The tables that we used were borrowed from a local church to fit all of us around it and gave us a sense of a community and family. A good way to gather after not having been around for a while to catch up on the news of what went on during that year.
This past weekend, I spent the time with the same cousins and family at a reception celebrating Kate and Williams recent marriage in Italy. It was a good opportunity to say hi and make some deeper connections with those that I spent a week with in December 2003 with Kate and Seiji. It was easier this time to talk to and reflect on life with Bill Reed and with Prim and Derek since in the last few years have gained an understanding into people's lives a little better. It has been time to reflect on the hurts that some people go through and the time to realize that all moments in life are precious. When I look into the lives of my cousin Bruce and his family and realize that it was through the grace of God that he was spared a tragedy when he had to escape the twin towers on Sept 11th to safety. And as I was leaving to go back to the bus/train station to go to Connecticut, Bruce played a video clip from his cell phone of his daughter, Izzy, playing on the piano of his wife singing "They are playing our song, they are playing our song. On the bottom of that tape was inscribed Sept 11,2006 at 11:43am. It was a simple yet profound words spoken by a 4 year old-the meaning that I still try to uncover. It could be that in our consciences even when young , a message comes forth that state that somehow, those who lost their life through heroic efforts such as the firefighters and police that my cousin passed that sunny tuesday morning in a darkened pit of stairwells in a building under collapse had in a way reached my cousin, Izzy , who somehow grasped the importance of life and in a way shares it with others. Showing that the lives lost that day are not in vain. That it acted as a way of a temporary heart allowed life to flow its course to bring life into others.
So thanks to the change of scenery this morning that caused me to look into the doors at the library in a new way and to begin to connect some random thoughts of family and life that are not so random after all.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Of Crickets and Crystal Rock.
This thursday, I walked into the office and all of a sudden, I heard a cricket chirping in the office of Jeff,our sales manager. Quietly sitting out of sight in the darkened office, Mr Cricket bypassed security and HR and practiced the chirps which he would need on the sales calls. We have added several salespeoplefrom other branches to help out the office. But this one seems to be the right employee to help out our papercraft operation.
We have some tough customers that sometimes reqiring much digging for answers to the general deductions and complaints that they often have. Mr. Cricket's serene voice would give cheer to whatever surroundings and is quite a clever marketing technique to use.
Our office walls were freshly painted with a coat of yellow and hanging on that coat are several French Impressionist painters such as Monet and Degas. The scenes depict life in France. A good outlook to have in an international business that takes place from London to Connecticut.
On a recent afternoon lunch hour , I spoke to Michael, one of our warehouse employees with a very pleasant disposition. I shared that I was leaving early to attend my writing workshop. Ever since, he has called me the new Ralph Waldo Emerson. I haven't as of yet shared the writing that I have done but have given the topics of inspiration, nature and my faith. He asked if he was ever part of my pieces. Well now you are Mike!!
Another one of my favorite warehouse pickers is Leighton. He has a gentle personality that always encourages me and even at times when I may not have a happy face. He likes to sit at the corner of the round table-sitting at the same table. When the warehouse fellows are sititng together, you can hear a loud laughter coming from the lunch room wherever I am=whether at my desk or in the warehouse office looking up the data that I need to for my work.
Another change to the work for the warehouse is that they have their own space compared to a toll booth or pallets where much of the work had to be processed.
Modernization does have its positive points. Definitely!!!
I have realized thorugh these 16 years of work within the wholesale industry that a lot has changed. From being around the corner from my Apartment to being almost 20 miles from a home was a stretch for me. The old days found me in the office being run by a family. And being given the chance from the street and a reference from Fairfield University to embark our company into the 20th century with a computer system. From long days from 7am to well into the night hours, it gave me a good perspective on how to run and operate a business. Dealing with the people that sometimes are difficult has taught me over these years to have patience with people and to keep moving forward with them and adjust to them over time.
I remember one particular day when I came back from vacation and had to make a 1:00 deadline. I ended burning the midnight oil that shift. My first time not having left the days work and continued through the night running between the computer room and my office to complete my runs of invoices and price updates.
Kind of interesting to greet our workers as they came in. And that next day, I was a little less energetic. But the work got done in the nick of time and felt good to be finished. Now the work gets done by a core group of 4 customer service employees and a purchasing department. No longer are sales orders crumpled and tossed through the window at Charlotte or Jeff. They are properly entered and coded and priced right then and there.
We went from a city environment to being more in the country now. It is a much longer commute but being able to hear the rushing of the brook located right outsdie the office to hearing the birds and getting a fresh aroma of the salt air nearby is good.
Having a phone system that is computerized is a big help since I don't have to jump from one desk to the next to pick up competing calls. And being able to have a voice messsage system means not losing calls either!
This past thursday, Michelle of customer service was stirring her cup of tea and uttered "my spoon has melted into a soupspoon" with a gentle laughter. The tea water set by crystal Rock must be a little hot. Some of us say it is not that hot but when pouring the water from the water "cooler" it definitely steams up the cup and plumes of heat arise from the descending water. Having my cup of tea is a favoroite part of my day at work being able to have my granola bar with it and to fill it up several times during the morning. At times we have been suprised when the 50 cents goes into the soda machine and a lottery of diet cokes falls out from the slot as a lottery won. Free soda for a while for some of us. Never for Nestea though.
Finally, when I walk into the warehouse I do not have to worry of who may be coming from behind an aisle with the Hi-Low trucks. I listened carefully to their beeps and even beeped myself like a road runner-"Beep Beep, coming through." It is a good to have an aisle to walk through where the trucks are not allowed so I can feel safe passing through.
'
We have some tough customers that sometimes reqiring much digging for answers to the general deductions and complaints that they often have. Mr. Cricket's serene voice would give cheer to whatever surroundings and is quite a clever marketing technique to use.
Our office walls were freshly painted with a coat of yellow and hanging on that coat are several French Impressionist painters such as Monet and Degas. The scenes depict life in France. A good outlook to have in an international business that takes place from London to Connecticut.
On a recent afternoon lunch hour , I spoke to Michael, one of our warehouse employees with a very pleasant disposition. I shared that I was leaving early to attend my writing workshop. Ever since, he has called me the new Ralph Waldo Emerson. I haven't as of yet shared the writing that I have done but have given the topics of inspiration, nature and my faith. He asked if he was ever part of my pieces. Well now you are Mike!!
Another one of my favorite warehouse pickers is Leighton. He has a gentle personality that always encourages me and even at times when I may not have a happy face. He likes to sit at the corner of the round table-sitting at the same table. When the warehouse fellows are sititng together, you can hear a loud laughter coming from the lunch room wherever I am=whether at my desk or in the warehouse office looking up the data that I need to for my work.
Another change to the work for the warehouse is that they have their own space compared to a toll booth or pallets where much of the work had to be processed.
Modernization does have its positive points. Definitely!!!
I have realized thorugh these 16 years of work within the wholesale industry that a lot has changed. From being around the corner from my Apartment to being almost 20 miles from a home was a stretch for me. The old days found me in the office being run by a family. And being given the chance from the street and a reference from Fairfield University to embark our company into the 20th century with a computer system. From long days from 7am to well into the night hours, it gave me a good perspective on how to run and operate a business. Dealing with the people that sometimes are difficult has taught me over these years to have patience with people and to keep moving forward with them and adjust to them over time.
I remember one particular day when I came back from vacation and had to make a 1:00 deadline. I ended burning the midnight oil that shift. My first time not having left the days work and continued through the night running between the computer room and my office to complete my runs of invoices and price updates.
Kind of interesting to greet our workers as they came in. And that next day, I was a little less energetic. But the work got done in the nick of time and felt good to be finished. Now the work gets done by a core group of 4 customer service employees and a purchasing department. No longer are sales orders crumpled and tossed through the window at Charlotte or Jeff. They are properly entered and coded and priced right then and there.
We went from a city environment to being more in the country now. It is a much longer commute but being able to hear the rushing of the brook located right outsdie the office to hearing the birds and getting a fresh aroma of the salt air nearby is good.
Having a phone system that is computerized is a big help since I don't have to jump from one desk to the next to pick up competing calls. And being able to have a voice messsage system means not losing calls either!
This past thursday, Michelle of customer service was stirring her cup of tea and uttered "my spoon has melted into a soupspoon" with a gentle laughter. The tea water set by crystal Rock must be a little hot. Some of us say it is not that hot but when pouring the water from the water "cooler" it definitely steams up the cup and plumes of heat arise from the descending water. Having my cup of tea is a favoroite part of my day at work being able to have my granola bar with it and to fill it up several times during the morning. At times we have been suprised when the 50 cents goes into the soda machine and a lottery of diet cokes falls out from the slot as a lottery won. Free soda for a while for some of us. Never for Nestea though.
Finally, when I walk into the warehouse I do not have to worry of who may be coming from behind an aisle with the Hi-Low trucks. I listened carefully to their beeps and even beeped myself like a road runner-"Beep Beep, coming through." It is a good to have an aisle to walk through where the trucks are not allowed so I can feel safe passing through.
'
Monday, August 28, 2006
Andrew's Initiative
Almost 2000 years ago, a child named Andrew in the crowd gives Jesus 3 loaves and 2 fish to Jesus to feed them. Not much for a small chiild to give-except that it was a lot since he gave of the little that he had to bless the multitude. Our world needs some Andrews to help with South Africa. Our small church is taking some initiatives in that region. Small stuff matters to God. Faith as small as a mustard seed will move mountains. The widow who gave the mite made God glad. And as Paul states, God used the humble and lowly to confound the wise and mighty.
Small amounts blessed by God bring comfort and nourishment. it's amazing how $2,000 can feed and take care of an entire village of 30 kids for a year. For the price for a couple of bagels, bread is extended to another nation 14 hours by plane.
just a few quick ponderings on solving the world's problems one person at a time!!!
Small amounts blessed by God bring comfort and nourishment. it's amazing how $2,000 can feed and take care of an entire village of 30 kids for a year. For the price for a couple of bagels, bread is extended to another nation 14 hours by plane.
just a few quick ponderings on solving the world's problems one person at a time!!!
Saturday, August 26, 2006
On a mission
I am on a mission in life. With the upcoming launch of the shuttle this sunday morning -weather permitting and all elements of countdown in working order, the astronauts who have trained for almost 4 years for this mission will have their work cut out for them.
It takes a lot of training for the astronauts going to a place a far way off and reaching for the space station takes a concerted effort. Plans must be in place and not only that, but systems in Houston and Cape Canaveral have to be in communication with each other.
I have to be more in tune with the way NASA operates its business-of being in symbiosis with the different organizations. The mission that I need to embark on is to be more organized in my life. I tend to not accomplish goals in my life-leaving many unfinished tasks piled on top of each other. I have trouble moving from one aspect of my life to the next. I need to remember to be like NASA more and have elements lined up better.
This is a lot like how the Holy Spirit works within the lives of believers. I do need to let the Holy Spirit have control in my life just as NASA has the command center with all of the terminals showing the trajectory (path) and the altitude and speed of the mission.
I am thankful of how I have seen several people that I know throughout life=Gail from the Kennedy Center at the bus station to a friend Dan driving by to hearing Chip's voice call out my name and to a church member, Kevin, as I chatted with him briefly while at the computer in the gym.
I need to have others on the team for the mission of Scott 2006 or however I call it.
It takes a lot of training for the astronauts going to a place a far way off and reaching for the space station takes a concerted effort. Plans must be in place and not only that, but systems in Houston and Cape Canaveral have to be in communication with each other.
I have to be more in tune with the way NASA operates its business-of being in symbiosis with the different organizations. The mission that I need to embark on is to be more organized in my life. I tend to not accomplish goals in my life-leaving many unfinished tasks piled on top of each other. I have trouble moving from one aspect of my life to the next. I need to remember to be like NASA more and have elements lined up better.
This is a lot like how the Holy Spirit works within the lives of believers. I do need to let the Holy Spirit have control in my life just as NASA has the command center with all of the terminals showing the trajectory (path) and the altitude and speed of the mission.
I am thankful of how I have seen several people that I know throughout life=Gail from the Kennedy Center at the bus station to a friend Dan driving by to hearing Chip's voice call out my name and to a church member, Kevin, as I chatted with him briefly while at the computer in the gym.
I need to have others on the team for the mission of Scott 2006 or however I call it.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Fragments
Hard to get used to fragments in life. Part of what you expect does not always come about as you have planned or hoped for. I was getting excited to spend some time with my brother and my folks next week for a long weekend only to find out that it will just be me with them instead due to a change in his plans. It is not easy dealing across country with family matters that are not always easy to know what goes on.
I am still going to the Down East which I love and would not miss the weekend for anything. What I will miss in Connecticut of a possible potluck at work, a beach service for church and a picnic with friends will be able to done differently throughout the year. I treasure the time that I have with family; even though I do not always show it the way that I should.
Last year, I sacrificed some local comfort and familiarity and had a blast when I spent Easter weekend with my parents. Watching Rachel Ray cook several times a day to the basketball playoffs to the NCAA tournament and the games of gin rummy and even the assembly of a pciture frame of my parents.
Go Maine.
I am glad that I was called my parents' pride and joy. Knowing what I put them through in the early years and how far I have come in life is encouraging. Still have a little ways to go. But don't we all.
For the last period of time, I feel that I am an archaeologist and anthropologist trying to piece together my life and the lives of my friends and family. Not totally having all the clues to mysteries in relationships. But trusting in God to make the best of everything. Even undrstanding myself is a puzzle a times-not being able to solve it all. I need to lean on
I am still going to the Down East which I love and would not miss the weekend for anything. What I will miss in Connecticut of a possible potluck at work, a beach service for church and a picnic with friends will be able to done differently throughout the year. I treasure the time that I have with family; even though I do not always show it the way that I should.
Last year, I sacrificed some local comfort and familiarity and had a blast when I spent Easter weekend with my parents. Watching Rachel Ray cook several times a day to the basketball playoffs to the NCAA tournament and the games of gin rummy and even the assembly of a pciture frame of my parents.
Go Maine.
I am glad that I was called my parents' pride and joy. Knowing what I put them through in the early years and how far I have come in life is encouraging. Still have a little ways to go. But don't we all.
For the last period of time, I feel that I am an archaeologist and anthropologist trying to piece together my life and the lives of my friends and family. Not totally having all the clues to mysteries in relationships. But trusting in God to make the best of everything. Even undrstanding myself is a puzzle a times-not being able to solve it all. I need to lean on
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Misc thoughts
Journeys are what begin with a simple step and have a goal that is set within ones mind. I reflect on the yellow brick road that the characters in the Wizard of Oz embarked on in search for meaning and an added bonus that would help them live their lives better. that is an important thing to remember as one goes through life trying to find some meaning in their life-an added value component to life.
I am thankful that the one true foundation of the church is Jesus. Many times people come and go but the flavor of the local church stays which is Christ Jesus.
Peace to my readers.
I
I am thankful that the one true foundation of the church is Jesus. Many times people come and go but the flavor of the local church stays which is Christ Jesus.
Peace to my readers.
I
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Becoming Real
Oh the power of make-believe. Of angels coming to the earth and helping mankind find himself. I watched a movie, Life-sized , of a doll that came to life to save a young girl about to be run over by a truck and bring together her dad and herself as a family again. Now that is a stretch for me to enter into the newest writing. But God has given each one of us an imagination.
We don't have to be perfect as this world wants us to be. We can just be ourselves. I was afraid today to enter the world as one with his hurts showing. I stayed for a good half of the day in my ivory tower of self-pity looking out at the world below. I am sorry God that I did not enter it with my heart and soul. I wish that I could have emotionally. Thanks God for the few moments that I took to shed myself and care for someone else by entering 7 numbers on the phone and encouraging her. To take the time and value someone who has lost part of her family and is struggling in health. And I thank you for the way that I see Jesus working within her too.
As dolls have numbers of authenticity marked on their presence, I have my name written in the lambs book of Life. A name that will not perish no matter how I may err and mess up. It is there for me to be with the Lion forever. With Aslam who travels in the The Chronicles of Narnia. His presense is among the animals and among the travelers who entered the wardrobe into the land of Narnia. To enter the world of authenticity it took the world to see Christ. A man on the outward appearance but within and throughout a powerful force of eternal life with the sparks of the Divine written all over Him for those in the crowds that CHOSE to believe in Him. And a time for him to be with us in the world in visible sense. to those Galileans and Jews who witnessed his time in the temple and his time on the streets and hillsides dispensing Good News to those who had no hope.
We don't have to be perfect as this world wants us to be. We can just be ourselves. I was afraid today to enter the world as one with his hurts showing. I stayed for a good half of the day in my ivory tower of self-pity looking out at the world below. I am sorry God that I did not enter it with my heart and soul. I wish that I could have emotionally. Thanks God for the few moments that I took to shed myself and care for someone else by entering 7 numbers on the phone and encouraging her. To take the time and value someone who has lost part of her family and is struggling in health. And I thank you for the way that I see Jesus working within her too.
As dolls have numbers of authenticity marked on their presence, I have my name written in the lambs book of Life. A name that will not perish no matter how I may err and mess up. It is there for me to be with the Lion forever. With Aslam who travels in the The Chronicles of Narnia. His presense is among the animals and among the travelers who entered the wardrobe into the land of Narnia. To enter the world of authenticity it took the world to see Christ. A man on the outward appearance but within and throughout a powerful force of eternal life with the sparks of the Divine written all over Him for those in the crowds that CHOSE to believe in Him. And a time for him to be with us in the world in visible sense. to those Galileans and Jews who witnessed his time in the temple and his time on the streets and hillsides dispensing Good News to those who had no hope.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
God's Majestic Playground
Have you ever wondered as I have how wonderful and majestic the universe is. Having grown up watching Nature shows from Channel 13 that featured animals interacting with each other. That is on a micro scale. From God's lenses, he takes in a more mighty view-seeing everything through a fish eye lens-getting all the nuances together-interchanging the lenses that He has in His camera bag. having those images hanging in the walls on heaven, he captures what He has made and can reflect in His sabbath afternoon His creation.
One time in particular that I remember is a night when I was almost ready to go to bed and my dad invited us out to the steps of the cottage by the woods and sea to look up and the see the Northern lights that swept the evening sky. A floodlight that flashed back and forth across the heavens. A time of particular unique beauty that could never be captured by an artist. Something that has to be savored in the moment. Something like the sip of ice cold soda on a hot summer day or the slurp on an ice cream cone by the DownEast Ice cream shack overlooking Boothbay Harbor.
Thank you God for giving me the opportunities to view your creation during the past 30 years in Maine-years that I have been fully alive and alert in the world. Being able to discern and understand hardships and to appreciate the times alone and with family in nature to be nurtured again and brought into a sense of wholeness again. An aliveness being infused into me. A lot of that time was before I understood the role of God in my life. And for an appreciation of His provision of angels in key times of my life such as when I fell down a flight of stairs on the fourth of July Weekend in 1976-our country's bicentennial year. A time of upheaval in our kitchen being remodeled. But mostly as a time for me when I was spared significiant injury and given a chance to explore a world that has given me a great deal of meaning. That might be why Maine has been so valuable to me since I recognize it as a gift given to me by God to appreciate and be able to endure tought times as well.
There was never a time where I ever doubted God's presence around me. But it became more real to me as I started my college days At Fairfield University. This was when I sat and had lunch with a student I met in the commons and started to discuss the issues of life and the mysteries of God. Some thoughts ended up on an envelope that had a prescription in it. Kind of poignant that lessons of living in the present and also towards the future were forged between mouthfulls of food and drink. How I wish I could have more opportunities to step out onto a porch or into the commons to discuss details of life with others. But they are opportunities to ponder the role that we have in the face of God's creation.
One time in particular that I remember is a night when I was almost ready to go to bed and my dad invited us out to the steps of the cottage by the woods and sea to look up and the see the Northern lights that swept the evening sky. A floodlight that flashed back and forth across the heavens. A time of particular unique beauty that could never be captured by an artist. Something that has to be savored in the moment. Something like the sip of ice cold soda on a hot summer day or the slurp on an ice cream cone by the DownEast Ice cream shack overlooking Boothbay Harbor.
Thank you God for giving me the opportunities to view your creation during the past 30 years in Maine-years that I have been fully alive and alert in the world. Being able to discern and understand hardships and to appreciate the times alone and with family in nature to be nurtured again and brought into a sense of wholeness again. An aliveness being infused into me. A lot of that time was before I understood the role of God in my life. And for an appreciation of His provision of angels in key times of my life such as when I fell down a flight of stairs on the fourth of July Weekend in 1976-our country's bicentennial year. A time of upheaval in our kitchen being remodeled. But mostly as a time for me when I was spared significiant injury and given a chance to explore a world that has given me a great deal of meaning. That might be why Maine has been so valuable to me since I recognize it as a gift given to me by God to appreciate and be able to endure tought times as well.
There was never a time where I ever doubted God's presence around me. But it became more real to me as I started my college days At Fairfield University. This was when I sat and had lunch with a student I met in the commons and started to discuss the issues of life and the mysteries of God. Some thoughts ended up on an envelope that had a prescription in it. Kind of poignant that lessons of living in the present and also towards the future were forged between mouthfulls of food and drink. How I wish I could have more opportunities to step out onto a porch or into the commons to discuss details of life with others. But they are opportunities to ponder the role that we have in the face of God's creation.
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