Now when you feel a little prayer wheel turning, and you know a little fire is burning, you will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right– Traditional Bluegrass hymn
In the interest of transparency let me make my political agenda clear: heal the sick, cherish the children, honor the widow and the orphans. Judge no other person for how God made them. Make sure everyone gets something to eat. Build bridges of peace. Forgive others repeatedly but insist on speaking the truth. Speak it to power. Turn over the tables of the money changers. Do not forbid others who pray differently. Define leaders as those who serve, not those who talk. Pay attention to the earth as a garden. Share love, not fear. – Steven Charleston, former Episcopal bishop of Alaska.
My walking partner has a new puppy. The timing is perfect. Meet Rosey:
I have tried meditation and breathing, but I come from the school of walking prayers. Marnie Hartman, the physical therapist who helped me stand up again after being hit by a truck, says motion is lotion. Words I live by. After reading a headline declaring that the United States has voted to end civil society I shouted, “not me!” Which was not helpful. It scares the dogs when I do that.
Thursday was jam-packed, so Friday I decided on a self-care day.
Here is my to-do list:
Go to the early bird swim at the pool.
Walk the dogs
Bring my neighbor soup
Attend noon mass at the Catholic Church
Drop off a check for the Salvation Army
Visit Joan at Haines Assisted Living
Checkout a new library book
Order a comforter for the bed
Mop the floor
As I swam, I imagined my arms were a prayer wheel turning. All that breathing in and out is a form of meditation too. It helped that the Catholic Deacon was in the next lane, so I figured the water was holy.
The night before I had made lentil soup. Chip is away, and out of habit, and due to the size of my old soup pot — made for five kids—there was way too much. I could freeze it. But I haven’t seen my neighbor in a while and she’s home alone too, so I packed half of it up to bring to her.
The Salvation Army is planning to give 150 households in Haines Christmas food boxes. Captain Kevin says they include all the fixings for a traditional dinner, a gift card to buy the turkey or ham, and hot cocoa and popping corn, because, he says, that’s nice to have when you watch a movie.
150 households need a Christmas dinner box.
Right here.
I wrote a check and dropped it off.
Joan was taking her after lunch nap when I stopped at HAL. She is 96 and just had a birthday party on Tuesday that I missed. I had seen her in the pool that morning, and promised I’d come by. I was told she has a glass of white wine at dusk– 2:45— so I returned then to join her. She made me laugh– balancing our glasses on the seat of her walker– along with a bowl of Goldfish crackers.
My good Friday was hardly virtuous or a sacrifice. It was completely selfish. I did exactly what I wanted to do all day. What a privilege. I get that. Also, there are so many people in Haines and Klukwan who do more for nothing except the greater good — Jump up from the table when the ambulance is toned out. Save lives. Calm terrors. Coach youth basketball. Set ski trails. Pick up trash. Play the piano in church every single Sunday. Foster stray kittens. Sort recycling. Organize the Holly Jolly Follies talent show– Every time a baby is born the meal train fills up before I can figure out how the Google sign-up works. There is a huge crew cooking a community Thanksgiving dinner at the school.
Think of this little note as a way to keep the prayer wheel turning. Here are some things I know that you can do to save yourself –and our world. — I bet you know a few more. If all else fails, you can always get a puppy.
