An unexpected day. That’s what today is. Opened up to me with nothing specific to do. All occasioned by Nicholas on Saturday. Some of you know that Nicholas is my car, so named

evening. Nicholas and I got rescued by some wonderful Moose people - guys taking on the task of putting on Nicholas’ spare tire, while I had a wonderful time reconnecting with someone whose mother-in-law I had buried at White Chapel several years ago while her husband and friends took care of Nicholas. It was not on my calendar to spend Saturday evening in the local Moose Lodge, but it was a real gift. It’s amazing the gifts that emerge out of something negative happening. And opening to the surprise of who along the road the Great Rescuer has ready and available on the path to rescue us. Lesson learned from experience.

Back to today, Monday. I was supposed to travel to Richmond to be with my monthly Peer Group. By the way a “peer group” made up of folks who share similar vocational life environments is especially important in this journey we call living. If you are not part of such a group, find one, or let it find you. Trustworthy friends who carry us along the road – kind of like the Nicholas in one’s life who carries me along and is concerned and there for me as I try to make decisions about where and when to turn, how far I can go on whatever tank of gas (energy) I may have left, who makes noises at me if I am getting too close to dangerous things on the road with me. Well, I’m sure you understand this unusual but timely metaphor. Just because we take some apparently non-living things for granted doesn’t mean we can’t learn things from our relationship with them. I recently considered the startling idea that my car is so much like one’s horse in olden times. Taking good care of either means the difference between stop and go as we understand how important those things are that carry us along as we travel together.

Once again, back to today. Staying home to take care of the Nicholas issue found me available to the following – totally unexpected – things I would have missed otherwise:

·       The eagle that did a leisurely fly-by this morning.

·       A fascinating conversation with someone else with a car “shoe” problem at Big L Tire in Kilmarnock. From New York City now living in Deltaville and used to be a writer with Automotive Magazine who affirmed that Big L was

the only place to go for such issues. I felt Nicholas smiling along with me.

·       Taking a leisurely stroll through Food Lion just up the street, feeling drawn to a big artichoke (love them but haven’t had one in years) and scooping it up to steam it as a prelude to dinner.

·     Spending some time at the library in Kilmarnock, taking time to locate some reading that wasn’t so desperately “serious” – realizing that sometimes I just need to “lighten up” a bit, not get so consumed with the world and my and all of our place in it.

·       At home, sitting on my little patio. Called to sit awhile by the afternoon sun, feeling the afternoon breeze wrap around me and sensing the call of the river for me to just groove with its shimmering surface light and feel the peace it had to offer.

·       Sitting down with my laptop and writing – not sure what was going to emerge – but feeling another kind of pleasure as whatever seemed wanted to be offered appeared. And so glad it is done – however it turned out. So, tomorrow morning is freed up from worrying about getting my Epistle message to Lucy so it would be waiting for her when she gets to the church office to play with the design and get it out to all of you. A happy Lucy means a happy office.

And now onward to throw out a handful of birdseed on my little back porch, pour a glass of wine, relate to my “artichoke” and savor the evening settling over my river. It’s vespers time in all creation around me and I can just be part of it all. Relishing my place in it. Nicholas and I can rest easy. We’re not trying to maneuver our way out of Richmond at rush hour, trying to get home by night fall. We’re already home. He’s at rest – maybe dreaming about his new “shoe” which will arrive tomorrow at Big L. I find myself humming, “I’ve got peace like a river.” And I do, thanks to the gift of this day!

                                              Torrence

Perform a Mitzvah (Good Deed)

Some of our parishioners make it a point to correspond with former members who have moved away and are living in senior living facilities elsewhere. We occasionally get cards or notes from the former members saying how much this correspondence means to them. Attached is a list of some of these folks' names and addresses. If you have a chance and know them, please consider sending them a card or a note. Or send one to someone else you know who's in similar circumstances! Here is a response to a note from a parishioner to Micheline Conn from her son.

In the Church

Mark Your Calendar