Author: cometsgirl

After the April 2016 tax-day flood, Beth found herself living in the home of parishioners while her home, the church rectory, was being rebuilt. The family was living overseas for a number of years, and had left behind many of their belongings.

One of the left-behind items was a 4′ tall, frosty-the-snowman. Made of wire and strung with lights, and perched high atop stuff in the garage, we set about getting Frosty down from the heap. Adding blue Advent touches in the form of winter attire, Frosty took his place at the front door. He was both a symbolic and physical entity. His presence at the front door came to symbolize resilience.

On Christmas Day, his blue hat was removed so the red hat he was wearing could be seen and rejoiced.

This year there has been a second flood – Hurricane Harvey – and Beth has been displaced once again. Now temporarily housed in a townhouse, it’s the Advent/Christmas season once again. And just as last year, I’m here during Advent.

Yesterday we were out and about shopping for necessities and found ourselves in the Holiday section of a large box store. Seeing all the frostys on display, we knew one of them had to come home with us.

We settled on a moving and singing frosty who sings “the weather outside is frightful…”, while spinning around. I’ve been singing and spinning along with him. It’s provided a good deal of amusement and laughter.

Last night I tagged along to a gathering at a parishioner’s home. It was an auction fundraising effort for P.E.O. The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, is a need based grant program providing one-time financial assistance to women whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to complete a degree or certification. Doing so will improve their marketable skills for employment to support themselves and their families.

The auctioneer, the dad of one one the hosts, began the proceedings by telling us to think of what amount you wanted to give, and bid to that level. There was one thing I had my eye on. You guessed it. Frosty!

The bidding started at $40. I bid. Someone upped it to $45. Then $50. Then I called out the amount I had determined I wanted to give…”one hundred bucks!” SOLD!

Double joy. Support a women’s education opportunity AND bring Frosty to a place where his wave will give a smile. Now about that red scarf….

I recently was forwarded a piece written by a mental health counselor about a Joy Scavenger Hunt. It was about trying to find the joy in every day, especially while one is in a place or period of difficulty; to make an intentional effort to discover and hunt for glimmers of joy.

Advent a year ago, while not purposely seeking a glimmer of joy, it appeared in the face and form of Frosty.

This Advent was, on the other hand, a joy scavenger hunt – with great success!

While writing this blog today, I’ve been on a ride-along with Beth as she visited a newborn who was born a few days ago and is seriously ill. She held the baby to calm her, while praying and anointing her with oil. Our second stop was to visit a gentleman who has been in the process of dying. And during Beth’s visit he did just that.

Bookends. Life and death.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:13

This frosty in the hospital waiting room.

Currently at 36,000′ in altitude, my travels now take me to Houston. In 2 hours of flying time, I transition from dry desert to a pronounced humid locale.

From the absence of humidity to “wrap-around” dampness.

It’s raining in Houston. And is to continue during my short stay. Still, weather does not dictate this stay. However, rain is often a reminder to those whom have seen what water can do firsthand in the form of flooding, and this includes me. The sound and sight of rain now has an often uncomfortable place in the memories of those affected.

Gazing out my window as I fly over Austin, TX, my view is clouds scattered across the BLUE sky. The color of Advent.

The Advent word for this 4th day of December, emailed to me daily from the Virginia Theological Seminary, is JOURNEY.

The takeaway of the accompanying meditation is that our personal journey is both our daily routine and a journey to God. Both are Holy Paths.

So as I move along my journey this day, I shall watch for the path where God is placing my footsteps.

Traveling mercies.

Advent 1. Happy New Year!

On the way to church this morning, I found myself explaining about Advent and how this is the beginning of the church year. Also about preparations and watching for the return of Christ. I surprise myself these days with the insights and interpretations I’m acquiring.

Oh, but I have so far to go.

We attended Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church today. This is my sister’s parish, and that of her son and daughter-in-law. The five of us filled up a pew. Seated between my brother and sister, then receiving communion with each on one side of me, was such a gift.

From there it was to, where else, Starbucks!

Then on to Agritopia, a local endeavor of community gardens and farm to table dining. Agritopia is an urban farm dedicated to educating people about how their food is produced.

In this part of the country it is still growing season. My nephew’s wife has a garden here. I saw abundance in the form of artichokes, pomegranates, Swiss chard and so much more.

A final Arizona sunset before I travel on to Houston tomorrow.

Traveling mercies.

Lots to do today. Up early to take a walk around the neighborhood. And do some decorating.

My sister discovered my handiwork as she checked her Instagram feed. A most humorous moment when she realized…..

There is a lovely community park nearby with miles of paths, some around ponds filled with birds. We walked a number of paths until the heat set in. You read that right; the HEAT set in.

I really have not planned for the warmer temps here, so with a quick stop at a favorite vintage store, I now had short sleeves!

Mid-afternoon found us at the Wells Fargo stadium for an Arizona State University women’s basketball game. Seated in Row 4, we had a terrific view of the high-energy type of play I’ve seen at women’s basketball games over many years.

Women’s basketball is not a sport my sister and brother ever seek out. Unless I’m around. My brother does admit that “women play like their hair is on fire”, as they streak up and down the court.

In early women’s college basketball games, the basket was sewn shut so that the umpire had to remove the ball. It gave a moment of rest to the “fairer” sex. Men were locked from these games.

It was a close game until ASU opened it up in the 3rd quarter and went on to win 76-57. It was great fun!

Another day of adventure wrapped up as we begin to plan a summer reunion in Colorado for the twins’ 75th.

I’ve had recent discussions about night lights, in the context of the need for some lighting during the sleeping hours of night, simply for the reality of the occasional need to move about as the night progresses. It’s clear some light is necessary to ensure safety. It’s been an effort to find really low-level night lights.

Barbara Brown Taylor, in her book Learning to Walk in the Dark, talks about the ill effects of turning on lights after dark – how our body’s physical reaction is to get ready for a new day. “Even the light of a cell phone charger or glow-in-the-dark clock can cue your body that morning is underway”. This can lead to sleep deprivation and a variety of health problems of the body and mind. Accidents increase and mistakes made.

So while I’m hesitant to add light to my night hours, I’m aware of the need to ensure safe-keeping for this time in my life, so I have added some light into the dark. Sometimes accommodation need to be made.

Yesterday ended with a nighttime visit to the Desert Botanical Gardens.

Our garden experience began with a tailgate supper provided by my nephew’s wife. Abundance!

After enjoying our repast, we set out for a stroll along the garden’s paths which were lined on both sides by luminaries. It was surprisingly tricky walking in this level of dark. Again, a conversation about the need for dark – in this case to showcase the luminarias, while lighting up the paths enough to walk safely. It feels like finding balance between dark and light, recognizing the realities that shades of each are needed for our well-being.

The real draw for me at the botanical gardens was the LARGE sculptures – mostly heads – done by the artist Jun Kaneko. I was fascinated by their design and color.

When we arrived back home, happily exhausted by this day’s adventures, I received a text from Fitbit congratulating me on being an over-achiever having walked 16,449 steps!

Overachiever indeed.

After an early morning walk through the neighborhood, marveling at decorating possibilities with cacti, we headed straight to Starbucks.

The barista proudly displayed his artwork on my Flat White, exclaiming that when he gets an order for this drink, “it’s my time to shine”. This likely was the best Flat White I’ve had.

From there it was on to the Tempe Festival of the Arts. Now in it’s 49th year, over 375 artists crafts persons showcase their wares.

Not planning on doing more than looking, well except for my sister, we all made some wonderful purchases.

As the festival was just down the road from the Phoenix International airport, planes departing filled the skies above us. I love to watch planes fly.

Then on to the Scottsdale Museum of Contempory Art to see an exhibit of the life and work of Paolo Soleri.

There was also a wonderful exhibit of art by Aboriginal women.

The bonus was finding the James Turrell Skyspace was still in place. When I visited two years ago, this was a new installation that we three experienced, and which led us to seek out other Turrell installations in the area.

Moving on through the day, we got a quick bite to eat and then took in a juried contemporary quilt exhibit. Amazing designs expressed in fabric.

After a short rest at home, we are now awaiting entry to the Desert Botanical Gardens of Phoenix for a sculpture exhibit and luminaries for a night time walk. Stay tuned.

An eight-hour trek to and along The Apache Trail scenic drive today, was filled with extraordinary sights, views, and walks. Also filled with bumps and joggles along a barely maintained road, across the high desert of central Arizona. We three journeyed in this awesome place and time, as we journeyed through past memories of our shared lives. There was a sweetness that was filled with conversation, laughter, and silence.

The road twisted and turned through “forests” of saguaros, through canyons whose desert varnished rock walls soared to the sky. Sustained by bowls of chili at Tortilla Flats, we were on our way.

We passed a series of lakes leading to our last lake stop, beautiful Roosevelt Dam and Lake.

The cherry-on-the-top of this scenic day was the bridge across the lake; the longest two lane; single span, steel arch in all of North America. A real beauty.

Evidence of the road trip is seen here:

Exhausted by the sometimes brutal road, and also by serious laughter, this day comes to an early close.

Traveling mercies certainly surrounded us today.

On the way to or from somewhere.

And so I am at this moment, enroute to and from. Coursing over eight states, cruising at 500 miles per hour at 34,000 feet high. From Atlanta to Phoenix.

From the Southern Appalachian mountains to the desert. From a rural town to a large urban city.

From chosen family to family of origin. It takes at least eight states at high altitude to accomplish this.

Besides the distance of miles, is the distance of family birth order and shared experiences. While the family events may have been shared, they carry their own distance.

I’m certain when I arrive and am enfolded in sibling arms, all distance will disappear for a time.

I love gazing out the window only to be rewarded with a moment of “glory”.

And that’s what is ahead for me enroute.

Traveling mercies.

Years ago, when I first began to blog, I had a separate blog for each category of travel in my life– Lent, Advent, Isle of Iona, and so on. It could be confusing to those who read or followed my blog, because each time I embarked on travel, I would need to notify everyone of the blog I would be writing.

Now I just have the one, and clearly the confusion has ended.

All that said, one of my earlier blogs was called “Adventus”.  I used this blog platform for when I traveled each Advent to northern New Mexico. That word, adventus, garnered a few laughs from my traveling friend friend because it seemed kind of “highfalutin “.

 

However, my rector Mary+, wrote a piece just this week about Advent for the church newsletter.  I had to smile when I read the first line…

“Advent – from the Latin root adventus, from the root ad- (to) and venir (come). Adventus is the Latin rendering of the Greek parousia, used to refer to the second coming of Christ.

Makes me feel just a tad vindicated. Just for good measure, this photo was used for my first Adventus blog.  Fitting.

All this to say, I am in a period of preparation.  Not just in anticipation of the season of Advent which begins in a few days – that time when we enter into a period of preparation and watchfulness for the second coming of Christ, but also for my upcoming travel to Arizona and Texas.

I’m reuniting with my sister and brother in Arizona.  We three will set off on a variety of adventures.  I recall when we were children, we were often left to our own devices and imagination, whether in our neighborhood or on family trips. I suspect as we are once again left to our own imagination, we shall make every moment together a unique kind of adventure.

In addition to packing and travel preparations, I’m preparing my soul for wonder, for delight, and for the love that comes from the family history we share.

Traveling mercies.

What exactly is “oldering”?  I recently heard this term for the first time, and in the context I heard it, it was about being older, not being old.  The message is clear to me, however; it implies a progression toward older, even old.

Of course, it may not actually be a word, but it should be. It fits this in between, progression time.

I don’t imagine any of us want to think about growing old. It feels like a time of lesser abilities, of restrictions, and the final part of our journey here on earth.

But “oldering” feels okay to me.  It feels like I still have a lot of life in me- lots of steps ahead, many opportunities still to come, and journeys to make.

Still, there are some slow-downs, some detours, even some changes. But in this stage of oldering, I’m still on the move.

May Sarton says, “One thing is certain, and I have always known it – the joys of my life have nothing to do with age. They do not change. Flowers, the morning and evening light, music, poetry, silence, the goldfinches darting about.”

And from Mary Oliver, “Are my boots old? Is my coat torn? Am I no longer young and still not half-perfect? Let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work, which is mostly about standing still and learning to be astonished.”

Just think about that idea of learning to be astonished. Just what does it take to be astonished? And do we have to learn how? Sadly, I think some do. Not me.  One of my favorite words is “gobsmacked”.  I learned that word on a trip to the Isle of Iona, Scotland. While it’s considered a slang word in the British Isles, I find it an extraordinary way to describe being astonished.  Just look around – and look outside ourselves.

Just now I stepped outside my front door and saw this sight- a reminder that I have astonishing sights within steps of my front door.

Or this on my almost-daily walk.

A recent facial skin surgery got me thinking about the tapestries of our bodies. Just as the landscape of a tree provides details of the life of a given tree, so too, does our body provide a tapestry of a life lived into oldering.

“A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.”  Proverbs 16:31.

Oldering indeed.