Friday, April 25, 2008

Silly

I am not sure why, but for the last couple of days I have been finding myself completely hilarious.

Yesterday at lunch, I told my brother that we are having our house connected to the town sewers. So, after 81 years, the cesspool is closed for business.

"Just think, Jake, next time you have to throw up in our toilet, it will go down in one flush..."

Except that I was laughing so hard at my own joke he couldn't understand what I was trying to say. And I had a mouthful of roast beef sandwich and nearly choked to death. I was referencing, of course, a past incident that involved my brother and an apparently too strong marguerita.

My brother didn't find my little joke nearly as funny as I did, even when I was able to stop laughing long enough to tell him.

Today, another incident.

I was walking through Walmart (that in itself is embarrassing, but not that funny...) when suddenly I thought about a conversation I had with a friend and had an idea to make him a funny tee-shirt in response. I found my idea so utterly hysterical I started laughing out loud in the store. Like, almost pee my pants kind of laughing. Like they might have to call the guys in white coats kind of laughing.

I finally managed to pull myself together, but would periodically think about it again and just lose it. In the paper towel aisle, men's tee shirts, arts and crafts.

Everywhere I went, I left a trail of housewives, old women and stock clerks who must have thought I had forgotten to take my medication.

I have heard that sometimes people laugh during Pentecostal services at church. Holy laughter, they call it. I don't think the Holy Spirit has anything to do with my current silliness. But dang, I sure am keeping myself amused.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Critical mass

There were 7 of us in Lectio Divina this morning. The biggest crowd yet. And another woman asked me about it at coffee hour, so it looks like we might even grow out of our space.

We have been hovering at 3 or 4 for months. For the whole first year, we were lucky if two of us showed up. But God has plans for our little group, I think. So we are growing.

Thank you, Lord, for your presence when we gather in your name. It is such a gift that you join us every week.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Coming out of the closet

as a pro-lifer.

I have decided to participate in the annual 'Walk for Life' this year. The proceeds benefit CareNet, RI... which is an organization that supports pregnant women who are thinking about whether to keep their babies. CareNet also offers after abortion counciling, as well as parenting classes and support for women. My role with CareNet is to provide childbirth classes, which I have been doing for the last couple of years.

So, I am going to ask my friends and family to sponsor my walk.

If you would like to sponsor me, please email me. Click on my profile and there is an option to email me under the photo. You can donate any amount you want. The walk takes place on May 15th.

Thanks!

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Hafiz

Back in my UU days, I was introduced to the 14th century Persian poet Hafiz by my friend Ray. He would come up to me at church and start quoting these wild and wonderful love poems about God.

Hafiz had a close friendship with God. He called him by various, affectionate, nicknames. He wrote love poetry to God. He chronicled his relationship over the years in lyrical poems that draw the reader, too, into a deeper intimacy.

Once, Ray and I did a lay led service that was centered around Hafiz poems. I still have the bulletin from that day! We stood together in the chancel and read poems of love. They were funny, sexy, deeply moving.

If you haven't yet encountered Hafiz, I urge you to check him out. He was so madly in love with God you can't help but be moved.

Here is an example from the book The Gift translated by Daniel Ladinski:


The Sun Never Says


Even after all this time
The sun never says to the earth,
"You owe Me."

Look what happens with
A love like that,
It lights the Whole Sky.