Holiday Merriment

It seemed an odd birthday gift: a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kit that came in the mail on April 30th. At first glance I wondered whether it might be someone's clever observation about the year I just had, or some clairvoyance about the year to come.

Now this: Just as we're admiring the evergreens and enjoying the plum pudding, a gentle reminder from our friends at the National Cremation Service that nothing lasts forever.

The stitches from my abominable abdominal surgery have yet to be removed, and I'm not allowed to lift more than ten pounds for at least another week. Did I really need another reminder that the end is near?

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In the helpful book, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg offers an instructive view of three books in the Hebrew Scriptures, Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes. Proverbs offers us a view of linear justice, that is to say, you get what you deserve. Job then turns that notion on its head, reminding us that bad things do indeed happen to good people. Finally Ecclesiastes sums it all up with the keen observation that we'll probably never figure any of this out, and that we might as well enjoy the ride while we can.

I now joyfully embrace the Ecclesiastes perspective. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow's mail will probably include a FIT test kit, or some sad reminder of our mortality. Wait! There won't be any mail delivery tomorrow. Yet one more reason to be Merry....

Climate Change

We certainly don't fault readers for worrying about global warming. From a state and local policy standpoint, though, what Oregonians should fear isn't inaction, but the adoption of unproductive measures that either cost them money or reduce employment opportunities.  (The Portland Oregonian Editorial Board, December 20, 2014)

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Someday my beloved, one-year granddaughter is going to ask me what I did in response to climate change. She's going to ask about my efforts to ensure her a livable, sustainable world in which to live. And I will reply that I bought her a Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Stride to Ride Puppy.

Winter Solstice 2014

On May 11, 2009 (in case you want to brush up) I blogged about "time-binding", the powerful experience of being linked with other people, places, and times through words, smells, sounds, rituals and experiences. The holidays provide us with countless examples of time-binding: decorating the tree, baking cookies, the music of the season. It is amazing how many opportunities there are to be surprised by the awareness of the past flooding into the present moment through even the smallest cracks in our day to day routine.

Sally made plum pudding again this year, which we associate not only with the season, but with Sally's dad, Joe, who made it each Christmas. When Sally popped the puddings out of the molds in which she'd steamed them, we each tasted just a crumb. As the spices mingled on my tongue I could just barely whisper, "It tastes like Christmas..." before emotion overwhelmed me.

Our desire for this powerful, mystical experience can lead us to a rigid view of holidays and other rituals. Not wanting to miss out on time-binding we try to do things the same, year after year, as if our rote observance will conjure the benevolent holiday spirits. Worse, like mistaken Grinches we think this treasure is best found at the mall or through our on-line shopping. All too often our grasping and desperation for recovering meaning obstructs the very experience we seek.

And then grace emerges in a crumb of pudding, the thin veil between worlds is parted, and we are reunited with times, places and beloved people long departed. Grace in a crumb of pudding, like a communion wafer, or the scent of pine boughs, or lights reflected in a child's eyes....

Catching Up

I note that my last blog post was nearly two years ago. Golly! How much can happen in two years?

• Retirement from active ministry.
• Completed interim executive director stints at FISH and St. Andrew Legal Clinic, turned down two others, and recently began one at Schoolhouse Supplies, a free store for public school teachers.
• Adopted our first small dog, Nyxie, who immediately took over our house and our lives.
• Became a Grandpa. There is not hardly anything better.
• Was present as daughter Erin was granted her PhD. OK, that was pretty cool, too.
• Traveled to Scotland, and loved it.
• Got back into camping, saw a lot of Oregon, and loved it.
• Nursed Sally back from myocarditis.
• Did some neat reconstruction of our deck and back steps.
• Began grieving my mother's death.
• Said goodbye to my longtime gallbladder.

It's time for me to start writing again. You may not have missed anything in the intervening months, but I have. Perhaps with a reduction in bile content my ramblings might prove palatable. Probably not. But it's time.