Remembering Mom

Ten years ago today I lost my mom. How lucky I was to have her near during the last few years of her life! She taught me so much about loving other people, and about generosity.
The best I can do for you, Mom, is remember those wonderful things you demonstrated to me, and carry them forward the best I can. And open my heart to all who, steeped in grief, are living through a loss today, at this moment.
Thanks, Mom!

My wish for today is to listen carefully

Once again, the writings of Tom Ehrich speak to me powerfully. Today, he says, "I have learned over the years not to project my own faith experiences and preferences onto others. Faith is a journey of infinite variety. Anyone who says faith has to proceed a certain way, follow certain rules or attain certain ends is just a bully trying to take away your freedom in order to fill his own empty hole. Some gather in Gothic splendor, some on rocks beside lakes, some in processions led by teenagers, and some in pews they hope will become friendly. Some don't gather at all, but say solitary prayer to a God who knows solitude. Some wait to be drawn outside. Some have left Sunday religion to search for faith elsewhere. We are all pilgrims making our way as best we can. God sings to us in the many languages of our hearts. Each year is different. Each phase of life is different. Each year the story sounds different. And God always has something fresh to say, some word that draws us outside ourselves and into God's presence. "
And I wonder: The trick is to listen, isn't it?

We're experiencing empty nest syndrome

For the past few days, Richard and I have been quite entertained by a mother bird and her babies in a nest right outside our living room window. The mother worked tirelessly to feed the babies and bravely drive off other birds to protect them. And what do you know? They grew up and flew away yesterday! No more chirping.... How sad. Here are some photos of the nest and mother bird.

Mom is vigilantly searching for food and predators.

Not the most symmetrical, but certainly sturdy!

The inside of the nest had lots of round seeds - they looked like unpopped popcorn.