Saturday, May 14, 2011

Oasis


I had a good time last night.  Did you hear that?  I had a really. good. time.

Mother's Day was sad and hard.  Unbloggably so.  If I were still posting in my Desert Year blog, the one I started in which to chronicle the year, and then the next year, after Josh's death, I would probably have written about a blinding sandstorm.

And then a couple of days later, the air began to clear, in a way that it hasn't for two full years and another fall and winter and spring.  I don't think I can write about it yet; suffice it to say that I suddenly understood who and where I want to be, and that perhaps I can ~ can become that person.

Last night I went to the annual fundraising event for the local Jesuit Retreat House.  The woman who runs the spiritual direction program in which I studied was being honored and had invited me as a guest at her table, and my wonderful first spiritual director was the main speaker.  He offered what may have been the most eloquent presentation I've ever heard him make, which is saying something ~ you could have heard the proverbial pin drop.   The tent was packed with people whom I've met through my spiritual direction life over the past several years, many of whom have become very dear to me, and the evening was filled with mini-reunions and lovely conversation and great good humor. (I knocked over only one glass of wine, thanks to my vision issues, and it was my own!) When I got home, much later than anticipated, I realized that I had been having fun, real fun, for hours.  Even a difficult few moments, in which I ran into lawyer friends whom I have not seen  in years and realized that they probably did not know about Josh, passed without incident.

I couldn't help but contrast the evening to the last Big Event I attempted and sorely regretted attending ~ my seminary graduation a year ago.  What a difference twelve months, or a few days, can make.



Image: Tortilla Flat, Arizona by Tom Lussier, here.

13 comments:

  1. Thanks be to God! And thank you for sharing that good news here.

    Based upon our experience, I can say, It will continue to get better. Not without bumps and potholes, but the general, gradual movement is up, by the grace of God.

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  2. What good news...great news. A first, but a good one. I am so happy for you to be amongst your people and feel so full and loved and connected and relaxed. You deserve that.

    We are on our way to a wedding in an hour, and I am preparing myself not to feel. I have gotten pretty good at it, and I get by. Little mercies.

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  3. Karen, you are so brave and generous to help the bride and groom celebrate - I do know how incredibly difficult weddings are.

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  4. Thanks be to God. I have been thinking about you, the seeing and discernment about your ministry. It keeps seeming, from where I stand at quite a distance, that something quite amazing is shaping up that will be the true yes to your call. It is such an honor to be allowed the glimpses as your ministry takes shape.

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  5. that is so cool, I mean I have been hoping for that to happen for quite a while and will keep hoping for moments of joy to brighten your life. Peace, Hope, and Joy be with you.

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  6. This gives me real joy, reading this.

    Something else that gives me real joy: the knowledge that my daughter's college destination is going to put me in a trajectory to meet you. Incarnationally (as a seminary advisor would say).

    Love to you.

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  7. Mags - yes! Have you already sped by on a visit? Even if you have - many other opportunities in the future.

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  8. Robin, her dad took her for the visit, so, no, I haven't driven through Ohio yet. But I will no doubt be dropping her off (and staying for two days of parents' orientation) at the end of August. Perhaps something on the way home?

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  9. Yeah! May you find many more oases (?) in the days to come.

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