Dear Ones,
It seems I’ll never learn. In addition to the predictable hustle and bustle and stress of the holiday season, I added moving my bedroom and kitchen items into my new house and moving my office from downstairs to upstairs. The last few weeks have been full of packing and moving compounded by the frustration of not being certain of where anything is and of discovering that what I need is in a box at the bottom of a stack of boxes. We’ve all been there at some time or other. So, why did I insist that everything be done before Christmas? Insanity, I suppose.
Sometimes the universe sends you exactly what you need. That’s how I felt when I realized that this month’s Soul Matter’s theme is Living Love through the Practice of Presence. Being uncomfortable and unsettled at a time that demands so much from me as a minister, a mother, an eldest sister, and a friend has inclined me toward rushing from one task to another without really being present to the moment.
A few days ago, I stopped all that. I decided that I would follow the advice that I found throughout this month’s Soul Matters materials and slow down, take a few deep breaths, and relish a few quiet moments and the sense of accomplishment that comes with checking so many items off of my “to do” list. I determined that I would appreciate each step along the way.
This morning, amidst the unpacked boxes in my kitchen, I noticed that one easily accessible box was clearly marked “coffee maker.” As I pulled it out of the box, I felt as though I was being reunited with an old friend. As I drank my coffee and nibbled on a cinnamon scone, I gazed out between the boughs of a tree and over the rooftops of Sewickley. I watched cars cross the bridge, and heard the soft sounds of a train’s whistle. I may have one of the oldest and tiniest houses in Sewickley, but I have a million dollar view! A sense of gratitude washed over me.
Not everything of interest is far away. Just last week, as I was heading toward the stairs, my attention was caught by a red squirrel sitting on the ledge just outside my window. I stopped short and watched as it nibbled on something I couldn’t quite see. If the window pane hadn’t been there, I could have touched him – he was so close! His presence felt like a gift and made me smile.
There’s a lot of good stuff in this month’s Soul Matters materials, including some good advice for those of us who are missing the presence of a loved one. My daughter’s father and step-mother celebrated Christmas with her a few days before the 25th so that she and I would have Christmas Day together. As this is the first Christmas without her father, I will be leaving after the service this Sunday so as to be with her to ease the pain or at least to provide a distraction.
I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year! I hope that you will be present to all the blessings of the season and will enjoy the presence of friends and family and loved ones.
Blessings,
Rev. Lee Anne
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