Cometsgirl

Lent. A period of self-reflection and sacrifice, with intent to make amends where necessary, to listen in hope of hearing what God’s purpose is for my life, and to “do better”.

The image below caught my eye a couple of days ago as I was taking a walk. The trees and sky are reflected in a small puddle on my walkway.  The colors are of the submerged pathway flora.

It reminded me of the reflection period ahead.

I’m been trying to decide which purposeful and purpose-filled activities I will choose for the next 40 days, and on this Ash Wednesday, I have made my choice.

I’m subscribed to 40 Acts, a daily email for 40 days with 40 reflections and 40 challenges to make a difference through acts of generosity.  This comes from stewardship services, a charitable organization in the UK.  I’ve participated in this challenge for a number of years. Today’s challenge is to draw a target, with GOD at the center circle, and then in each of the surrounding rings name who is in my circle – family, friends, and others. My target rings are of the many women in my life.  This first challenge is easy.  “Do something today for one of the people in the target.”

I’m psyched about my other intention.  Recently I was reminded of a book I acquired several years ago, Making Crosses, A Creative Connection to God, by Ellen Morris Prewitt. It’s about making crosses using discarded or found materials, giving them new life –  “taking what the world doesn’t value and making it into a work of God”. Engaging in this activity is meant to provide a way into communion with God.

I have been gathering materials during the past couple of weeks in anticipation of making crosses.

I’m not certain if I will make a cross a day, or perhaps on those days I feel with certainty the desire to be in communion with God.

Today I begin.

The Reverend Barbara Crafton writes,

“Is Ash Wednesday about our sins? Well, it’s not not about them, since they are part of every life. None of us does everything right every day. But there is more to who we are than lists of our infractions. Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return is a counsel to become aware again of our creatureliness. We are mortal. We are temporary. We don’t have forever, not here, not as we are. Joy and sorrow come into each life, some earned and some gratuitous. They are not evenly distributed — some of us get off with a lighter sentence than others. But nobody escapes completely.

Today, rejoice in the joy and acknowledge the sorrow. Most of us will see both of these this very day is we look around us, or steadily within ourselves.”

I’m off to do something nice for someone on my target.

I can’t imagine a more joyful and joy-filled celebration than the one I just experienced.

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, the Episcopal church “in the woods”, gathered for Sunday worship and the annual parish meeting, to honor their rector of 20 years, as she celebrated her anniversary of 25 years of ordained ministry.

Friends and family gathered as well. Twenty of us gathered for dinner Saturday night. Stories and remembrances were shared. Laughter and song rang out.

Sunday Worship was filled with prayer, spoken and sung. All soared high and on high.

Immediately following the service a photo of the gathering was taken.

Following the service lunch was served!

Then the celebrating and honoring began.

Colleagues were featured on a series of videos, all sharing special praise for Beth, including a video by the Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry.

A quilt of photographs was presented.

as was a scrapbook of photos, mementoes and memories.

And even more bags of joy.

Ending with a standing ovation.

Thanks be to God for this good and faithful servant.

Well, I’m on the road again, in the sky again, headed to Houston to be part of a special moment in time in the life of woman who heard the call, answered that call, and for twenty-five years has lived that call through extraordinary service and presence.

I will join with many, many souls who will gather to honor and celebrate this faithful and faith-filled servant.

Along with so many others, I am woven into the tapestry of her life. Our lives are richer and more purposeful by walking alongside her for a period of time, by listening and hearing her words of faith and formation, and by her smile that embraces all who look her way.

That has me thinking about the word tapestry.

As defined, a tapestry is a picture woven into cloth. It’s generally a wall hanging, with detailed images or designs on it. Tapestries tell stories, whether or not through identifiable images, or through abstract designs. Colored threads are woven by hand through the piece.

So, too, our lives are tapestries, joined by the threads of others’ lives who journey with us for a time.

My life is colored and enriched through the countless stitches sewn into and through my life. Each of those who have and continue to add stitches, add depth and strength to my foundation.

More threads will be sewn in the lives of those who gather for this day to celebrate and honor this most extraordinary woman. Shepherd, mentor, follower, leader, friend.

As she suggested to me some twenty-five years ago, “let’s see what God has in store for you.” Indeed, for each of us.

Traveling mercies.

It’s 5:38am and I am stowed and seated onboard Delta 1452 soon headed to Atlanta. It’s another night flight, at least at the start, because of the early morning departure. Somewhere along the way the sun will rise.

I was gifted with some beautiful sunrises this past week.

Gifted, too, with the place in time I shared with special people in my life. In person and through the wonder of technology.

Now as I’m flying home, I give thanks for this travel, the ability to fly, and for all who came along.

And I give thanks for hope, for trust, for faith, for expectation and for promise. All of these are necessary to fly!

Traveling mercies.

That the Lord has made. Let’s rejoice in it!

It is also the last day of Epiphany retreating in Taos. It’s always so hard for there to be a last day in this place. But, thinking about it just now, what really is a last day? In this particular instance, it’s really not as final as a true “last day”. And I am certain I will return to this place during Epiphany 2019.

Still, I’m sad to leave this place of stillness. Of quiet. Of calm. Of rest. The luxury of all of it.

It’s also been a place of raucous laughter. Not unlike the noisy crows outside the back doors.

Packed up and heading south we made a last stop at Coffee Apothecary for a cappuccino for the road, and to say goodbye to Lydia and Pablo until next year. By then the coffee roastery they are building will be completed, and we’ll celebrate that next step in their business.

Part of every trip to northern New Mexico has been the luxury of massages. Booked two months ago, a day had been set aside to luxuriate with massages provided by Bonnie, whom we have known for many years. However, upon our arrival we learned Bonnie had been felled by the flu, so massages were out. Oh no! This is an annual treat provided by Evan.

Fast thinking, and recalling massages some years ago, we quickly booked massages at Ten Thousand Waves Spa just outside of Santa Fe. Yea! It worked perfectly to stop off for massages on the way to Albuquerque for early flights tomorrow.

The highway between Taos and Santa Fe follows alongside the Rio Grande River. It’s a beautiful drive. Stopped by construction driving south to Santa Fe, gave me time to take a photograph of the beauty right next to the highway.

Ah, at last. Spa time.

We had forgotten how exquisite it is to be in this place. After donning kimonos, there was a heated foot soak, followed by a meditation room with heated blankets. Then the real reason for coming – 80 minutes of therapeutic massage, ending with time in the sauna. AWESOME!

Thanks, Evan!

The last stop before the drive to Albuquerque was dinner at La Choza restaurant for one last meal of blue corn cheese enchiladas, my fifth meal of this amazing dish.

A 6am flight tomorrow morning, as the Epiphany retreat comes to a close. Filled with anticipation of return, retreat and reunion, this trip exceeded all expectations.

Traveling mercies.

So far, this trip has been primarily “local” in the sense that we haven’t ventured out and about much more than “out”. Little “about”.

Today was different. We got out AND about. Kind of. While we didn’t travel far, we ventured to a somewhat remote spot. The John Dunn Bridge, which crosses the Rio Grande River about 10 miles north of Taos, just west of Arroyo Hondo.

It was built in 1908 by John Dunn as a toll bridge which transported travelers and mail into Taos. He also built a hotel near the bridge that housed travelers overnight. It was sold to the Territory of New Mexico in 1912 and at that time the toll-bridge was made a free bridge to travelers.

We hung out here for awhile, wandering along the river and the road. And we had a delIcious picnic. Such a beautiful away place.

From here we mosied along back roads through small towns.

We drove west to the Rio Grande Gorge Park, where a much larger and higher bridge crosses the Rio Grande.

We walked several paths in the park, awaiting the sunset.

This was such a good day of vistas out and almost about.

Yesterday was an in and out day, ending with reunion. In and out in the sense it felt like there was frequent getting in and out of the car. Short hops to run errands, have coffee, and shop a bit.

There was, however, ample time to feed and then research what kinds of birds are visiting the table set for them. Magpies, Eastern Starlings, Northern Flicker, “little round gray with rust chest” bird, and crows. The latter my least favorite.

We’re feeding leftover scraps. That wasn’t enough for me. While at Walgreens picking up The New York Times, I grabbed a loaf of bread from the food aisle. As I checked out, the loaf of bread reminded the checker that she needed a loaf to take home for her family.

That gave me pause. I’m grabbing a loaf of white bread because it’s cheap and adequate for the birds, yet when she gets off her shift, she will grab a loaf to feed her family.

In the afternoon, after it had warmed up, we walked the labyrinth at the local Presbyterian Church. I love the intention with which a labyrinth is walked.

The day culminated with the much anticipated reunion with Abby. She’s a local ceramics artist and printmaker. She and her husband, an artist in his own right as cabinet and furniture maker, live in an earthship. They reside north of Taos in El Prada within the Earthship community.

A note about earthship living.

The six needs for life on earth as viewed by earthship devotees are: thermal/solar heating and cooling, solar and wind electricity, food production, contained sewage treatment, water harvesting, and building with natural and recycled materials. Earthships are built in such away so as to provide all six needs.

The community is located in an area of little vegetation and, in a way, a not very scenic setting near the Rio Grande River. This is primarily so as to have ample sunlight to generate heat and provide necessary power. What they lack in scenery, they make up for in the tremendously creative designs.

It’s enormously interesting to me to simply drive through the community, and all but gawk.

Abby and Dean built their earthship many years ago. It’s cozy and inviting. So, too, was the evening spent with Abby. She prepared a special dinner as a gift to us of salmon, salad, cabbage and rice. All served in and on her beautiful tableware.

It was a feast of sustenance of food and conversation. A most excellent evening.

Today is road trip day. Stay tuned.

In a recent reading by Barbara Crafton, an Episcopal priest whose blog I follow, she made the suggestion that one should contemplate, “At the end of the day, have I lived this day well”. That has struck a chord with me. My initial reaction was to say this is especially important because I am “oldering”. But someone suggested it matters not our age, each day should be lived well by each of us. Very true.

I’m trying to be intentional about this. First by beginning my day with the intent to live the day well, to make the hours of this day matter.

And at the end of each day, consider how I lived the day.

My unscheduled day yesterday gave me ample opportunity to be intentional as no plans existed for the day when I awoke. Throughout the day actions and activities were chosen. It was such a gift to go through the day in this manner.

I had good conversations and good silences, laughter and song. The planning of future travel.

While making cards;

Over lunch,

And over coffee.

In front of the fire.

Only one thing was scheduled. We went to the local movie theater to see The Post, a film about the Pentagon Papers. It was excellent.

At the end of the day, I felt this was a day lived with intention, the intention being to slow dow, enjoy the time and place, and to be grateful for it all.

Except for “live” morning prayer with Beth, this day brings no places to be, no have-to-dos, no plans beyond walking through this beautiful day.

Good morning God. This is your day. I am your child. Show me your way. Amen.

I’ve been thinking about conversations I had a couple of days ago with my growing-up-friend. Through those conversations of shared memories, I was able to fill in some blanks I have about those years as I was being further formed.

Talking with her I saw how we had some similar experiences during those times, and how, looking back, I’m certain were life sustaining for each of us.

In Becca Steven’s reflection today, she writes: When we remember our past, it doesn’t take us long to think of times when God showed us mercy, whether in our circumstances or through other people. Mercy is clearest in hindsight.

On this new day, having no schedule to keep, I’m open to possibility and promise. And to be aware of ways I might show mercy.

Arriving late Sunday evening, we were greeted to an unexpected sight as we pulled up to the hotel.

The plaza is still decorated! It’s still Christmas in Santa Fe. Who knew? It’s COLD too. No surprise there.

Quickly settling in for the night, it was so good to be lodging once again in the somewhat recently restored La Fonda hotel. The history of the hotel goes back centuries. The hotel sits on the site of Santa Fe’s first inn which was established in 1607. Throughout the 19th century, La Fonda was the preferred lodging option among trappers, soldiers, gold seekers, gamblers and politicians.

The current hotel structure was built in 1922 and a few years later became a Harvey House. La Fonda remained a Harvey House until 1968 when a local businessman acquired the property. The current owners set out a few years ago to restore the hotel to its current 4-star rating. While brief, it was a wonderful stay.

Cappuccinos at Ikonic Coffee followed Morning Prayer, and then a labyrinth walk on the grounds of St. Francis Cathedral.

Reunion with our long-time friend Sue was filled with joy, good memories, and wonderful catching up. There are always annual reports of Sue’s Eggs, a legendary recipe, having been served an/or uniquely prepared during the past year. I feel it’s a real tribute to a special woman who touched so many lives as she served breakfast in her B&B, and now through so many others who continue to prepare this amazing egg dish.

After lunch we headed north to Taos. Driving alongside the Rio Grande River offers so many glorious views, that it’s tempting to pull over often for photo-ops.

Taos at last! First stop, Coffee Apothecary, for a joy-filled reunion with Lydia and Pablo.

Now settled in for the night, this day brought beautiful sights and sounds through voices and faces of friends, and through the glorious sights of God’s wondrous creation.