First Sunday of Lent

Today's readings: March 1, 2009
Reading One: Gn 9: 7-15 ;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 ;
Gospel : Mk 1:12-15 ;
go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page)
And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)

Today is Sunday, so I am taking it easy and resting for next week. Tomorrow I will try and help Monsignor Bellow get his email more dialed in and hopefully get a chance to take some pictures of the new church we are building at St. Marks, and email the photos to Father Tien as per his request. Please take the time to check out the readings at the links above. Thanks for all your support and emails. For whatever reason, it seems like a lot of folks thought the story of my dog and the holy water was funny. I am not a cradle Catholic as they say, so honestly - I did not know any better. My point in sharing the story was more about opening my mind to listen to both sides of an issue. (an earlier entry of the subject might be of interest - A Tale of Two Worms).

While in Asheville, I had great time visiting with some old friends Bob & Linda, who I had not seen in over 10 years. While our political views are very different, we were able to discuss the current craziness of today's interesting times without animus or raising our voices. No personal attacks and very disparaging views were shared. It seems we were mellowed by the years, and whenever it looked like the discussion might veer into difficult waters, we were happy to defer the conversation to silence, and just be thrilled in our friendship, recognizing that we were not going to solve anything, but mostly that our friendship was more valuable than our opinions. A good lesson to learn and hold onto.

I had another good conversation relating this experience with some family members, as I honored Bob's request that he wanted to wish them well. We shared this thought. If you want folks to give Obama more support (which people should if they are disrespecting the office of the President), take off the Impeach Bush bumper sticker off your car. If you want to share your thoughts on global warming and how you think it is bogus, please listen to the concerns about how the ozone layer is depleting, and acknowledge that the carbon particles we are putting into the atmosphere might very well have an adverse effect on weather. In kind, please refrain from calling someone with a disparaging view a denier, as if the differing opinion somehow is equivalent to implying the Holocaust never existed. Basically,if you wish to have your opinions considered by someone with a different point of view, refrain from personal attacks, and be eager to listen, and slow to speak. And turn down the volume. Always remember wisdom begins withe three simple words - I DON'T KNOW.

I remembered the words offered in the Gospel; from February 11, 2009.(Mk 7:14-23), which was the Linda's birthday, my friend from Asheville who was kind enough to offer me a wonderful Indian meal and a place to rest my head. I am still thankful for Bob and Linda's generosity, and was happy to have the words embedded in my heart as we shared disparaging views on politics. Our friendship was more important than our differing opinions, especially on matters out of our control.

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them,
"Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile."

When he got home away from the crowd
his disciples questioned him about the parable.
He said to them,
"Are even you likewise without understanding?
Do you not realize that everything
that goes into a person from outside cannot defile,
since it enters not the heart but the stomach
and passes out into the latrine?"

"But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him.
From within the man, from his heart,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile."

Day Four of Lent

Today's readings: February 28, 2009
Reading One: Jer 11:18-20 ;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12 ;
Gospel : Jn 7:40-53 ;
go to this page(for all three sections listed above on one page)
And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)

This post was written yesterday, but scheduled to post shortly after midnight, as I have a busy morning on Saturday and wanted to have the readings available as soon as possible. My morning is filled with so many blessings - adoration in wee hours of the morning with some faithful brothers of my parish, followed by a light meal, or just some coffee (who knows, but I bet I might be a little hungry tomorrow morning) at Bob Evans. I have no idea who started this, it such a blessing to spend some quiet time with a bunch of terrific gentlemen from our church each Saturday and I am very thankful for your companionship and support. The time has allowed me to get to know you better and bask in the joy of our shared faith and love of God.

After that, I will race home to feed my birds and prepare for benediction and daily mass. It will be so good to see my friends again and share the joy of celebrating mass. After that, I am thrilled to spend a little time with my oldest daughter and enjoy a lacrosse game with the son of my wonderful neighbors, The Ruts.

In case you missed the post from yesterday with some pictures, by all means, check it out.

Day Three of Lent

Today's readings: February 27, 2009
Reading One: Wis 2:1a, 12-22 ;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 34:17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23 ;
Gospel : Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 ;
go to this page(for all three sections listed above on one page)
And here's some audio file; & reflections (video)

I had a wonderful day in the mountains of Asheville, NC yesterday and today, though poor old Charlie my dog was less than thrilled to come along for the ride. Poor dog, he's really old, especially for such a big dog. It took all his effort to just hop in and out of the SUV as we drove from Franklin to Asheville. I tried to do some blogging, but the net teather to my laptop was so lame, it was hopeless. No worry really, but I regret that it posted a garbled post, that I waited and waited to finish, before I just gave up - hence, the garbled post. Oh well, live and learn.

Here's a page with some pictures of my wonderful day at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Franklin, N.C. and a few taken before the trip began. I included a pic of Brad, my tech angel who helped me learn as much about mobile computing in the few short hours I had before the clock ran out. And also a blurry pic (sorry) of the wonderful gift from Kim & Goose, a miraculous medal blessed by Mother Teresa to take with me on the trip, or give away. I chose to give it up to the prayer group at St Marks, with instructions to keep it a day, and pass it on to someone else in the group. It was so hard to give it up, and I suspect it will be just as difficult to each one who gets to have it for a day. And to ask for Mother Teresa to intercede on our behalf, asking Jesus to help us all on our journey through life, and to accept joyfully whatever God's will might be.

Yesterday was a very eventful day. Early in the day, I read a wonderful sentence that stayed with me all day yesterday and today as well. The words were from Pope Leo the Great.

Those who are unequal in their capacity to give can be equal in the love within their hearts.

This was followed by mass with Father Tien and the delightful folks at St. Francis of Assisi. After mass, I spoke briefly to Father Tien and asked if he needed to have any work done, which he assured me all was just fine, so I suggested that I clean up the entrance to the church, which was littered with stray cigarette butts and some chewing gum stuck to the concrete. He offered some wise words, effectively telling me that if I was doing this him, there was no need - but if it was for a sacrifice for God, by all means, do it. In so many ways, it such a blessing, and I was filled with the grace that only comes from God, and filled up a bag with litter, scratched the gum off the cement with a stick, and just whistled my way through a task that was very easy, a burden so light it made my heart happy. I was also motivated by all the kind words from the people at St. Francis, the true church we are all part of, in the joy we share in our love of Christ.

Time to hit the road... But where? I was planning to go to St. Joseph's but that got altered as I followed another course. Asheville! When I arrived at Asheville, the first stop was St. Lawrence Basilica - wow! what a beautiful church. How happy I was to find a little alcove with the Blessed Sacrament to the right of the altar. Very beneficial time was spent in the company of Jesus, present in the quiet reflection of adoration, and I read some wonderful words in the many books there to assist in the quiet time.

Poor Charlie the dog, was in the car with windows rolled down, while I was in the alcove. When I arrived at St. Lawrence, I was only planning to take in a quick tour of the church, so I could find my way easily on Friday morning for daily mass at 7:30 am. But this plan was sidetracked by the chance to spend time in adoration. Anyway... that's my excuse for forgetting that I had my cell phone still on, and indeed it is the truth, though I certainly should have remembered to turn it off before I went in the church. Ooops. I got a call, followed by another call from my lovely daughter, and I was concerned it was something I needed to attend to. So I left the alcove and went to see what my sweet daughter needed, and returned the unanswered calls outside the church. I spoke to her briefly, all was well, and checked in on old Charlie the dog, who was not doing well at all. All the hours on the road had taken its toll, and I poured him a cup of water which he gobbled up quickly. Oh NO! No water left in the bottle, & I realized he really needed some more water badly, and went to go get him some. Unfortunately, the church did not have any bathrooms - or least there were not any I could find. I checked in the gift shop, but they had also left for the day, or for lunch. There was no one to ask... where is some water? As I said, old Charlie is really old and I knew he needed some water, and he needed it right now!

There was some water available, but it was Holy Water, one of those big containers with the spout that fills the small dish below. I did not know what to do, and perhaps I panicked, but I remembered the story of how David fed his soldiers that he loved with bread that was forbidden to all, except the priests. But David felt he had no choice, as his men were starving. So I asked God to please forgive me, but I felt I had to do something that was ill advised, because my poor dog really needed a cool drink. And I filled a cup for him with Holy Water, which he received with such joy it is hard to describe. Having been around many folks in the church, I also surmised that to many - this was not a problem at all. While to others, it might be deemed a terrible sin and disrespectful. My heart felt I had no choice, I looked and looked for water, but there was none, and honestly felt it was a life and death matter with a wonderful companion who offered me nothing but a sweet and gentle love. I think both sides are correct too. It was disrespectful, but I also was stuck in a position where I felt it was my only choice. May God have mercy on me, and search my heart for my true intentions. I didn't know what to do. I was lost.

The experience reminded me of something I learned on my faith journey in life. Basically - that God is so big, we must seek Him in everything, and in everyone. Often two views, seemingly in opposition are both partially right, and both partially wrong. I have often wondered about this, as the Gospel is so full of ambiguity and conflicting opinions, yet both sides have Divine merit and truth, even while it might seem on the face of it, that only one view can be correct. I was reminded of my days sculpting in college, about how you needed to always walk around the piece you were working on, and constantly chisel away from all sides and angles. If you only worked on one area, it made the sculpture a real mess. And if you are working on a subtractive work (chisels and removing material, as opposed to clay works, which are additive, meaning it is easy to just stick on more clay where you got a little aggressive on removing clay) - you really needed to move around the sculpture, and take it in from all sides. I think it is also this way with drawing closer to God - you need to listen intently to views that differ from your own, and take it in with the utmost consideration. If you only allow your own views to be accepted, the piece of work - you, gets all messed up.

I was very thankful to remember that some dear friends from college lived in Asheville, and I decided to give them a call to say hello and ask in all humility, if they might be so kind as to offer me and Charlie a place sleep and rest our weary bones. Their kindness and generosity made it easy to see how God was with me this day, as I received a wonderful Indian meal, and a bed to sleep on. Charlie was thrilled to sleep outside under a covered porch, and the next morning he had such a spring in his step, there was little doubt he was feeling much better after a hard day. We enjoyed a quick cup of coffee, and I was off again to St. Lawrence for mass, followed by some more time in front of the Blessed Sacrament. What a wonderful way to begin the day. As I left the alcove, a gentle woman reached out to grab my hand and wish me well, reminding me what a lucky man I was to begin my day this way. The words were so kind and offered with such sweetness, it only added to the amazing experience of adoration. God is great!

Please pray for Charlotte, Peter, Amelia, Louise, Florence, Stewart, and Morgan - who are all suffering from various forms of illness. And please pray for me, if you are reading this post, it is pretty clear I am at times a man in great need of all your prayers. Thank you, and may God bless you, keep you safe, and make your joy complete.

Day Two of Lent

Today's readings: February 26, 2009
Reading One: 30:15-20 ;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 ;
Gospel : Luke 9:25-29 ;
go to this page(for all three sections listed above on one page)
And here's some audio file; & reflections (video)

My ride to Franklin, NC was wonderful. For about an hour while driving through the mountains, beams of light cut through the clouds, that looked like the ribs of a fan. These beams stretched from the north side of my view all the way to the south, with the sun at the center. The view was even more extreme due to my polarized sunglasses, that softened the brightness of the sun and made it much easier to see, though it was still viewable to the naked eye. The rolling mountains of western North Carolina were a perfect background. And in one of those wonderful Holy Spirit moments, a song on the radio had lyrics that said something like that the heavens shined with your Glory and that the mountains were joyfully proclaiming your praise. It was all that and then some. What an amazing world we live in, if we just open our eyes. I was so thankful to be alive and living in this paradise.

The people I met on the road were also such a treat. So many smiles, people sharing stories with each other, a mother chiding her son in church, and lots of laughter, much of it gently poking fun at each other. little tweaks offered in kindness and love, the edge of being bitter not part of the equation. My favorite example came a few minutes ago, when the lady serving up coffee inside McDonalds yelled at a guy leaving the door... I Said (she said this quite loudly, it was funny)... Have a nice day. The sleepy fellow leaving had no option left, but to smile and return a quiet laugh.

Last night was spent sleeping in the back of the SUV, since it was very cold outside, in the low 30s - so I thought it best to sleep in the back in case it got too cold. As it turned out, I had a great nights sleep and was quite comfortable. But before I went to bed, I did get a little worried about what some other folks might be thinking, concerned someone might call the police and tell them some crazy guy was sleeping in the parking lot. I imagined waking up in the middle of the night, with flashlights shining in the window, and a loud knock from the police wanting to rouse a man trying to stay warm and get some sleep. My concerns were unfounded, but I'll admit there was some consternation and worry. My night prayers were very helpful in assuaging those concerns and I fell asleep in just a few minutes.

This morning has been excellent. I took a short walk with my dog, and we were greeted by a little rabbit that we disturbed from its sleep. It scampered off in a hurry, and though my dog saw him, he didn't give chase, saying in dog language... hey, I'm too old for that, I just don't feel like chasing it now. He was happy to get his breakfast and I had a good laugh, as I realized in the morning light, that the parking lot I selected to sleep in, was adjacent to the police station and the ems. How funny life is sometimes. No wonder I was concerned about getting rousted by the police.

Off to mass at Saint Francis of Assisi. I am blessed to have an hour or more to quietly offer my prayers to such a wonderful and gracious God. I have no idea what today will bring. I am planning to ask Father Tien after mass if he has any chores he might like me to do. But I have no idea if he will accept my offer. Whatever happens, I find myself feeling great, knowing God is with me.

Ash Wednesday

Today's readings: February 25, 2009
Reading One: Jl 2:12-18 ;
Responsorial Psalm: 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17 ;
Reading Two: 2 Cor 5:20-6:2 ;
Gospel : Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 ;
go to this page(for all three sections listed above on one page)
And here's some audio file; & reflections (video)

The day began a little later than expected, waking up at 5:00 am in lieu of the usual 4:15 time, when my dog asks to go out and explore the wonderful things of the new day. Which worked out fine, as I stayed up late and took in the evening show of Slumdog Millionaire with a dear friend. Each of us had already seen it before, but it is the kind of movie you find all kinds of new things each time you watch it. Salim, a brother who is often less than a perfect brother his whole life, finds a way out of his mess in one final act of amazing sacrifice and generosity. His final words - God is Great, was a wonderful way to begin Lent (the movie ended about 12:01am).

This morning the day started with trying to do my best to figure out where and what to read in the new four volume set of the Divine Office. I have not had a chance to look over a companion book I got to help me, called The Divine Office for Dodos. Hmmm, maybe I should have done more research.

One of my greatest blessings is taking communion to the sick. If you are a Eucharist minister, by all means consider giving this ministry a try. I suspect you will have the same experience - where you find yourself blessed beyond description, and benefit from giving up just a little bit of your time, for the Love of Christ and God's children. I think for every baby step we take to get closer to Jesus, He takes 20 giant steps toward us. Why He has been so kind to one as undeserving as myself makes little sense to me, other than what scripture says about it. How He chooses the least to do wonderful things, so that you know the Glory comes from Him alone, and not from man. Since sharing my joy about this ministry is apeears to be direct opposition to what is written in the Gospel today (v. 3 & 4)... I certainly qualify as a lout. But please forgive me, my hope is that others find the joy in this service that comes with the territory. Since 99.9% of the people reading this have no clue who I am, I hope God forgives me too, and makes my intent for sharing this joy pure and full of love.

After a bit of reflection, I decided to go to the mountains on the first leg of my journey, off to Franklin, NC to St Francis of Assisi church where, God willing I will celebrate mass at 9:00am with one of my favorite priests in the Diocese of Western Carolina (I love all of you priests, don't worry :~). But Father Tien will always have a special place in my heart. The grace he received during his many years in prison in Vietnam shine like a glorious crown. His crime? Being a devout Catholic. Please find time today to pray for all priests and religious, giving thanks for the example they provide, the bread of life they assist in bringing to the faithful, and also the love they have for all us of little lambies.

Finally - I ask that you offer some prayers for George Mangan, aka Chief who died yesterday of cancer. He was my favorite teacher in high school, and passed quietly after many years of suffering. He not only taught me a lot about how to live, but also about how to die. A great man, May God welcome him home and may he rest in peace. I also ask that you say some prayers for Charlotte, still recovering from head injuries, Amanda, a nine year with brain cancer, Morgan, a five year old girl with serious digestive problems who was released from the hospital the other day, and Peter, a young teenager who became ill from too many years of being taunted by classmates for being different. And for young 33 year old man, the son of a friend who is pondering a vocation to the priesthood. Thank you, and please pray for me, that I might better serve Christ without fear, in a world that seems to take great umbrage in His words of kindness, mercy, forgiveness, generosity and love. May God bless you and keep you safe.

Fat Tuesday

Today's readings: February 24, 2009
Reading One: Sir 2:1-11 ;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
Gospel : Mk 9:30-37
go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page)
And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)

Just one day before Lent, and that makes today rather hectic, as I still have a lot to do to get ready. Bills are getting paid, stamps, I hope to record some music to add as part of the blog, a meeting with Msgr at 3 pm, teaching my delightful 6th graders from 6pm - 7:15. (funny joke of the day... my friend Alan (Allen?) said to Scott, see, I told you Willy has class, and I added, yes for one hour a week, I have class... hahaha). Tomorrow, my journey begins at about 4 am, where I hope the first thing out of my mouth, is thank you. I will sing a few songs, and go to the chapel to spend some time alone with the Blessed Sacrament, before mass at 7am. This will be followed up by three trips to bring communion to the sick, and ashes for the solemnity of of Ash Wednesday. I will swing by my house to say good bye to my pets - and head out. I still do not know where I will be going.

For this season of Lent, I plan to try and focus on just three things, regarding the question - What are you giving up for Lent? First, I plan to offer my services to those who can use a helping hand. I will pray and ask where I should go, the destination will be a church to celebrate mass. After mass, I plan to ask the priest what he would like to get done today, something or someone that needs attention, or something he wants to get fixed, or perhaps bringing communion to the sick, or visiting someone in the parish who is lonely and needs someone to talk to. Whatever... maybe he needs his bathrooms cleaned. Who knows what chores are needed? I pray God gives me the grace to not only be helpful, but to be joyful in my service. I want to whistle while I work.

The second part of my Lent journey is to find more time to be still and pray. I will head out to the country, and find somewhere to park my car or motorcycle, and head out to the woods and pray. I have so many things to pray for, and as I mentioned in an earlier post, by all means - send me an email with prayer requests. ( lentjourney@gmail.com ). Like most of us, I need some time to decompress, and let the noise of the world leave me alone, and spend time dwelling on all the the things I am thankful for. But also - to be quiet, and listen in my prayers. I want God to speak to me, and the only way that can happen is if I am quiet, and humble in all my blessings. I have lots of books, and a fresh copy of the Liturgy of the Hours. (and even a how to book called The Divine Office for Dodos). Thanks Alan.

The third part of Lent deals with fasting. For me, this has less to do with food, and more to do with all the things that keep me less than focused on God on my journey through life. No TV news programs, no Hershey's chocolate truffles, no glass of wine at the end of a hard day, things like that. My fasting has less to do with food - because it isn't a big issue with me. For a long time I have enjoyed a meal or two a day, and my body has become used to it. Often this manifests itself in a larger meal at night, but for Lent, this will go too. I will eat less, and when I feel the hunger in my stomach, I hope to reflect on how Jesus suffered for me, covered my immense debt (think stimulus package big, in my case), and also to reflect on those who are hungry, and pray for an eagerness to lend a hand.

Finally, a special note of thanks to Kim, an old friend I haven't seen in thirty years who got in touch via a mutual friend on Facebook. She was kind enough to send me an amazing gift, a medal blessed by Mother Teresa about a year before she died. WOW! A few weeks ago, we emailed some tales of the decades gone by, and she shared with me that her daughter Charlotte fell from a horse a few years back and sustained a head injury, and is still in recovery. I had already asked Mary, a friend from daily mass, to add some prayers for Charlotte to the prayer group of our church, and she shared with me that everyone was praying with all their hearts for Charlotte. So, in the spirit of how all great gifts keep on giving, I passed on the medal to her, to wear for a day or two, and say some special prayers for Charlotte, asking Mother Teresa to intercede on her behalf, and then to pass it on to another person in the prayer group. If you are reading this, please say a prayer for Charlotte and for Kim's family. Also, I ask you to say some prayers for Randy's Mom, who is scheduled for surgery today. Thanks, and All glory to God alone, who is the source of all love, kindness, gentleness and mercy.

T minus 2 days

Today's readings: February 23, 2009
Reading One: Sirach 1:1-10 ;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5
Gospel : Mk 9:14-29
go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page)
And here's an audio file; I believe the Gospel is read by a priest, though I am not sure.

Today's readings offer a lifetime of pondering the elegance of Wisdom, and the power of prayer, and also - how the request to increase my Faith... is very powerful prayer.

For more on these readings, check out this video from Father Michael Manning SVD. This video is brought to you by USCCB and funded be the Catholic Communication Campaign.

I am very busy today preparing for my Lenten Journey. Floyd Pascal my auto angel fixed my broken car charging stations and filled me up with some fresh oil (10w-30 for you grease monkeys). Also busy installing software on my mini mini laptop, an Eee PC, working on getting a bunch of software tools that I hope to use as part of the journey, right around the corner. Please pray for me.

My Lenten Journey

On Ash Wednesday, I officially hit the road, seeking only to remind the great people of this country, and the world too, that we love each other. And I hope to bring people closer in their relationship with God. While I am a Christian, (a Catholic, oh my... one of those!!! eeeewwwwh haha), I totally agree with Mother Teresa about every man and woman, being equal before God. And how we all seek God in the deepest regions of our hearts.

"There is only one God and He is God to all; therefore it is important that everyone is seen as equal before God. I've always said we should help a Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim become a better Muslim, a Catholic become a better Catholic." - Mother Teresa

I have made myself wide open, totally vulnerable - because I plan to let everyone track my journey using a wonderful new app from Google called Google latitude. Click the link, enter my cell phone number (xxx-xxx-xxxx - this number has been deleted after Easter 2009) and I will get a request that you want to track me. After I okay it (everyone gets into this club) - you go to google, and click the igoogle link(top right), where you can see where I am on a map. When you are putting in the cell phone number, you are asked if you want to add yourself on my igoogle page. You can also accept me, and hide yourself. No big deal to me. You are correct, there are a lot of concerns and awkward situations. (Wired Article - thanks Bill M). Anyway, you can watch me driving, or see where I holed up if I decided to go into the woods to pray. I won't be responding, but please if you wish, ask me to pray for a friend in need. I made a special email for the trip - lentjourney@gmail.com, which I will be using temporarily till Easter arrives. Hey, duh, watch this video on google latitude.



The good news is that I really think there will be a lot of wonderful folks looking out for me and covering my tracks. God is with me in your best wishes. And I ask you, if you would be so kind, to include me in your prayers. T minus 5 days. May God bless you and keep you safe!

Patience is a Virtue

Like most people, I often get all caught up in some crazy whirl of the 21st century. It manifests itself in being in a hurry, not being patient when someone is asking for my attention, or missing the chance to say thank you, and here I mean saying thank you to God. I think that is why church on Sunday is so important. It really does change you, at least it changes me. That I know for sure.

Today I was given the opportunity to watch it in action, participating in something where it felt like I was nothing more than a spectator, though in truth, God in his generosity, allowed me to be a player in the little theater of a one act play that unfolded. No great Earth shattering experience, but it was lovely all the same.

I was driving home from church, about one mile from my house. In front of me was a man in a little truck with a funny felt hat. He pulled up to the stop sign and looked to the left. Then he looked to the right. And again. Clearly he had lost his bearings, or something I didn't know what was up. But he just sat at that stop sign. Yes, a part of me was getting very annoyed, I was almost home - and I think 45 seconds had elapsed with the man just sitting there at the stop sign. Eventually someone came from the cross street and he waved him to go ahead. I have no idea why this time, I was peaceful and patient. (well - other than coming home from church, it does change you). Eventually he saw me in the rear view mirror and went forward. He got to the end of the street, and went to the left, a dead end cul-de-sac, and was turning around. I rolled down my window, and asked if he need help. Yes he said. I do. My daughter is having a baby and I need to go to Presbyterian Hospital,but I think they gave me the wrong instructions. What a perfect chance to pull out the Blackberry with google maps and find out where to send him to see his new grandchild. I was honored to help. It seems someone wrote the instructions in haste, and he needed to go to exit 23, not exit 28.

He was soon on his way. But before he left, he looked me in the eye and gazed hard. You know, a real look into someone's eyes. And he told me - God bless you. I smiled back, knowing He already has blessed me beyond anything I deserve, and continues to fill me with most precious gifts that are all too often, beyond what I can even imagine. And I said God bless you too. The child will have a terrific Grandpa.

Yep, going to church is a good thing, and good for you. Next time I get impatient because someone is on their cell phone and sitting at a green light, I hope I remember what happened today. And how all those prayers asking for patience were indeed being answered.

And thanks to all my friends who prayed to St. Anthony - that I might find my motorcycle key. I went through the house again, looked in pockets, and found a key. It was not the key I was looking for, the one with the bright red string on it, so I could find it easy. Oddly enough, it was a key that I had lost about a year ago. hahaha. But it worked like a charm, and I was able to take a short bike ride today. Thanks again for your prayers and good wishes.

Riding off into the sunset

Preparing myself to be ready for the journey, which has not been easy. More a violent affair in many cases. I am afraid, worried about what my friends will think, hearing words that essentially are eager to tell me I am crazy, and trying to reconcile all this with the feeling that I am supposed to take this trip. Oddly enough, I am in a position to go on the road, my kids are all set and well cared for, I can do my job from the road and in fact learned all kinds of helpful things about what one can do with the new mobile phone technology. So what am I afraid of? Silly me. Please pray for me to not be afraid.

A Prayer For My Daughter

When I was in college, we studied a poem from William Butler Yeats called A Prayer for My Daughter written in 1919. My professor was great, and this before the web - back when you couldn't type in a clever search phrase and find all kinds of analysis on a the poem. Indeed we live in wonderful times with so much information, so readily available to everyone. Anyway, Yeats is rocking his baby daughter in the cradle, and he muses about his hopes for the girl, and how she will turn out as a person, trying to direct her in ways that will not only make her happy, but charming as well. At present, my lovely daughter Mishka is feeling under the weather, with one of those new mutant bugs. She will be fine, God willing, but please say a prayer her. Thanks.

A Prayer For My Daughter

Once more the storm is howling, and half hid
Under this cradle-hood and coverlid
My child sleeps on. There is no obstacle
But Gregory's wood and one bare hill
Whereby the haystack- and roof-levelling wind.
Bred on the Atlantic, can be stayed;
And for an hour I have walked and prayed
Because of the great gloom that is in my mind.

I have walked and prayed for this young child an hour
And heard the sea-wind scream upon the tower,
And-under the arches of the bridge, and scream
In the elms above the flooded stream;
Imagining in excited reverie
That the future years had come,
Dancing to a frenzied drum,
Out of the murderous innocence of the sea.

May she be granted beauty and yet not
Beauty to make a stranger's eye distraught,
Or hers before a looking-glass, for such,
Being made beautiful overmuch,
Consider beauty a sufficient end,
Lose natural kindness and maybe
The heart-revealing intimacy
That chooses right, and never find a friend.

Helen being chosen found life flat and dull
And later had much trouble from a fool,
While that great Queen, that rose out of the spray,
Being fatherless could have her way
Yet chose a bandy-legged smith for man.
It's certain that fine women eat
A crazy salad with their meat
Whereby the Horn of plenty is undone.

In courtesy I'd have her chiefly learned;
Hearts are not had as a gift but hearts are earned
By those that are not entirely beautiful;
Yet many, that have played the fool
For beauty's very self, has charm made wise.
And many a poor man that has roved,
Loved and thought himself beloved,
From a glad kindness cannot take his eyes.

May she become a flourishing hidden tree
That all her thoughts may like the linnet be,
And have no business but dispensing round
Their magnanimities of sound,
Nor but in merriment begin a chase,
Nor but in merriment a quarrel.
O may she live like some green laurel
Rooted in one dear perpetual place.

My mind, because the minds that I have loved,
The sort of beauty that I have approved,
Prosper but little, has dried up of late,
Yet knows that to be choked with hate
May well be of all evil chances chief.
If there's no hatred in a mind
Assault and battery of the wind
Can never tear the linnet from the leaf.

An intellectual hatred is the worst,
So let her think opinions are accursed.
Have I not seen the loveliest woman born
Out of the mouth of plenty's horn,
Because of her opinionated mind
Barter that horn and every good
By quiet natures understood
For an old bellows full of angry wind?

Considering that, all hatred driven hence,
The soul recovers radical innocence
And learns at last that it is self-delighting,
Self-appeasing, self-affrighting,
And that its own sweet will is Heaven's will;
She can, though every face should scowl
And every windy quarter howl
Or every bellows burst, be happy Still.

And may her bridegroom bring her to a house
Where all's accustomed, ceremonious;
For arrogance and hatred are the wares
Peddled in the thoroughfares.
How but in custom and in ceremony
Are innocence and beauty born?
Ceremony's a name for the rich horn,
And custom for the spreading laurel tree.

William Butler Yeats, 1919