Pieces

Full

I went back to church this afternoon to play the piano 

for the memorial service of a woman I never knew.

Keitha was an English teacher, loved creating with word and art, and was full of life.

I think she and I would have been good friends.  

She was diagnosed with cancer seven years ago, 

so the past five years were spent seeking one treatment after another.

Her husband Richard had this to say:

"I know we once said 'for better or worse'. But I never dreamed 

I'd get to care for her in this special way for so many years. 

It just doesn't get any better than that!"

See why my heart is so full!

And then...

Right across the street from the church is 

Wheelock Elementary School, where I attended 4th grade in 1958
when we moved to Lubbock from Littlefield.

~The Circle of Life~

Embarrassment

I am having the privilege and pleasure of playing the piano for the 

Unitarian Universalist Church here in Lubbock.

Today's sermon, entitled "Embarrassment", was delivered by 

Reverend Eliza Galaher, from Austin.

It was exceptional!

Here's a bit about Eliza and the Wildflower Church in Austin:

Welcome from Reverend Eliza Galaher

Greetings and welcome to Wildflower Church!

As Wildflower’s first fulltime settled minister, I would like to share with you a little bit about why I love this Unitarian Universalist congregation, and why I believe its presence is important in South Austin, as well as in the wider community.

First of all, as you may know, Unitarian Universalism is a faith born out of the merger in 1961 of the deeply rooted Unitarian and Universalist Churches. To me, this merger was perfect fodder for the blending of the heart (Universalist) and mind (Unitarian). As a Unitarian Universalist, my faith is continually transformed by the partnership of heart and mind that our religion demands. Every day is one in which I am on a free and responsible search for truth and meaning, and every day is one in which I am called to ask myself how I can help create beloved and just community.

As of May 18^th, 2007, when I was called by this congregation, and as of August 1^st of that same year when I officially started, I have found a place to practice my journey toward beloved and just community by serving as Wildflower Church’s minister. Wildflower Church is an ideal gathering place for the heart-and-mind religion I value so much, and it is a place where I believe many, many people can find a religious home in which they are free to ask (not just be told the answers to) the important questions of life. Because our religion is a liberal one, it is one in which there is freedom (liberty) to practice critical thinking about our deepest religious convictions and truths. Because it is a liberal one, it is also a place where we are free to feel and express our deepest feelings. Whether we are singing and dancing together on Sunday mornings, caring for one another in times of struggle, or being led by our passion for social justice while marching down the streets, our hearts are fully present in our shared lives.

For these reasons alone, I believe Wildflower Church is an important place in our community. Our doors are open to all seeking beloved and just community. Our doors are open to all who need the freedom to do their own religious exploring. Once you pass through our doors and stick around for a little while, you’ll find all the more reason to call Wildflower an ideal home for your heart, mind, and soul.

Things are looking up...

And so am I!
(I just now saw that teeny bird...WOW!)
LOOK!

Timely words...

An Amish Prayer for the Mature Life

Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself

that I am growing older and will someday be old.

Keep me from getting talkative

and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking

that I must say something on every subject and every occasion.

Release me from craving to try to straighten out everybody’s affairs.

Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all,

but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details;

give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my many aches and pains.

They are increasing and my love of rehearsing them

is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

Teach me the “glorious lesson” that occasionally

it is possible I might be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet.

I do not want to be a saint.  Some of them are hard to live with.

But a sour old person is one of the crowning works of Satan.

Help me to extract all possible fun out of life.

There are so many amusing things around us 
and I don’t want to miss any of them.

Amen.

Surprises

 I stayed at the League House while Rob was in the hospital.
It is just across the street and so very convenient.
When I looked through the window blinds that first morning, lo and behold...

 I had a perfect view of the Vera West Women's Center.

Now, how about that!

Life really is a circle, isn't it?

And when we arrived back home this afternoon,

those beautiful birthday tulips were so glad to see us, 

they had danced themselves into all sorts of creative shapes.

They just will NOT die...what spirit!

Rob's back...

Yes, his new one!

He made the trip home quite well and is resting comfortably.
Hooray for amazing physicians and medical teams who work miracles it seems!

And thank you to our cloud of witnesses, near and far, who loved and
supported us throughout our week's stay at Hendrick:

(I'll be adding names as I remember them, I'm sure.)

Diana, Debbie, Nancy, Talmadge, Neil, Mary, Harwell,

Norm, Jo, Brenda, Joyce, David, Manuel, Tim, Roger, Joe, Kay,

Dwayne, Debi, Susan, Donna, Marilyn, Diane, J.L., Cheryl, Zack, Shannon, 

Jim, Judy, Denise, Zane, Treva, Richard, Nancy, Rolanda, Lemoyne, Marsha, Richard, Richard, Charles, 

Jerry, Mike, Linda, Karla, Tenna, Rae, Hickory, Vicky, Dorothy, Marty, Betty, 

Lisa, Tracey, Judy, Carol, Richard, Manuel, Manuel, Trina, Carolyn,

Patti, Mary, Pat, Paul, M.C., Dot, Emma, Jo, Mike,

Sam, Marlene, Marsha, Sarah Elizabeth, 

Anna, Missy, Steve, Dale, Kevin,

Dixie, Nancy, Ted, Mary,

Tricia, Bill, Bobby
Gracie


Many of these sweet folks were those I had worked with for years at Hendrick.  
And they seemed to turn up at just the right times...nice!

I never expected this trip to Abilene to be more than a much needed, back-changing experience for Rob. 

As it turned out, it was a little Hendrick homecoming for me as well.