saying goodbye when you haven’t said hello in years ::: a tribute to Ben

It’s funny how someone’s dying can bring such rekindling; how our memory of them can initiate and ignite fires you forgot were once lit—are even capable of being lit. A sweet heaviness that clings to the moments and releases nostalgia and passion for things of the past.

l e n t :: a hallelujah recap

Hallelujah!  Happy Easter!  He is Risen! Lent has come to a close and thus ended my daily blogging adventure.  I had never before made such an intense Lenten commitment – not only did I spend nearly an hour a day above my normal activities taking photos and writing about them, I also abstained, most ofContinue reading “l e n t :: a hallelujah recap”

l e n t :: day42_rejection

An interesting juxtaposition of thoughts today: the rethinkchurch.com word (rejection) with the topic of IF:Gathering’s I Believe study of the Nicene Creed (the Trinity).  Here are my thoughts shared on the IF:Gathering App this morning: “My first theology class in college was Intro to Biblical Literature – read the whole Bible in a semester, plusContinue reading “l e n t :: day42_rejection”

l e n t :: day40_thanks

Today’s thoughts are simple, short and sweet.  I have not felt well since late Thursday night and accomplishing daily tasks has been difficult.  I walked back over to our house today at noon after working on miscellaneous farm projects to find ALL the rags I’d left in the dryer FOLDED by the girl’s sitter. OnceContinue reading “l e n t :: day40_thanks”

l e n t :: day38_have

I have quite a bit.  A lot.  Extravagente.   Let alone our paid-for cars, the home we live in on my Grandma’s farm, the softest furniture (Jeff’s only home décor stipulation – plus not too many flowers), and abundant food – we have more clothes than needed donned in a week, technology beyond usefulness to entertainment,Continue reading “l e n t :: day38_have”

l e n t :: day36_restore

I’ve pondered the word restore today–finding synonymous definition in healing, reconciliation, rejuvenation even.  In the death of winter and the birth of spring.  In the chill of fever and the breaking into the damp skin and wet hair of health.  In the pain of the dark night of the soul and the relief of joy’sContinue reading “l e n t :: day36_restore”

l e n t :: day35_people

I was trying to experiment tonight, with some superimposing magic-ness.  I’m not ready for that.  But while fiddling Jeff asked what my word was.  “People.”  “Well, I’m your every day people aren’t I?” I enjoy a beautiful house and we both like to practice hospitality on at least a weekly basis.  I would have lovedContinue reading “l e n t :: day35_people”

l e n t :: day34_remember

I can’t help but hear the echoing voice of Mufasa in that epic scene from The Lion King: “Remembaaah!  Remembaaah!”   Oh, James Earl Jones.  Every time.  Simba chases after the quickly vanishing vision of his father but he can’t catch a memory. Yesterday I was talking with Jeff and my parents a bit aboutContinue reading “l e n t :: day34_remember”

l e n t :: day33_path

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhapsContinue reading “l e n t :: day33_path”

l e n t :: day28_faithful

All the chisels I’ve dulled carving idols of stone That have crumbled like sand neath the waves I’ve recklessly built all my dreams in the sand Just to watch them all wash away Through another day, another trial, Another chance to reconcile to one who sees past all I see And reaching out my wearyContinue reading “l e n t :: day28_faithful”