Immigration and Appreciation

Another  rhodie photo from the Neurologist's

In a brief moment of solitude (daughter and #1 are visiting the pet store and #2 is napping) as I listen to Bob Dylan (Pandora.com thanks) I think about what is important.  It is so strange how it is different for everyone and yet it is the same for everyone.  If you stand really close to your choices they all look different and if you back off and take the longer view they grow more similar.

Bob D. just sang that "both of our father's were slaves" and I find this true of the human situation.  We are slaves to the tyranny of human life in so many important ways.  At the same time, as humans we have the spiritual and mental self-awareness to stand back and see our commonalities if we care to.  Commonalities I observe..., we have the same needs for the most part, we have the same tendencies (often negative), and we yearn for the same things if you look and listen closely.

 The adults in the house watched a fascinating and moving documentary on HBO last night (sorry I didn't catch the name) about new citizens naturalized into the U.S.  It was amazing how often the topic of freedom came out as the main attraction for these new citizens.  Freedom to express their opinion, freedom of worship choice, freedom to pursue improvement and happiness.  Another topic that was often repeated was how much we take for granted here.  It is so trite to say "We don't appreciate what we have"!  One lady expressed it in a new and interesting way.  When she was asked what she didn't like about the U.S.  She said she didn't think she would ever get used to people complaining about things here.  Another amazing comment was from a man who recounted when he saw someone putting socks on their dog to protect its feet, he realized that some people cared that much for their pets.  He said "Their are many people in my country who would be willing to come here and trade places with that dog."

Makes me determined to look around and see things that are gifts and blessings that I am taking for granted.  Makes me want to find someone I can help have a better life.  Makes me aware that I have so many dimensions of freedom in my life- spiritual, physical, social and societal, cultural.  Thank you God and everyone in my past and present who has faithfully contributed to improvement, let me make it better for others and those who come after.

Spring Thanksgiving

Clematis

Butterfly on lavender

The possum (Jethro) has been on the deck in search of cat food. The potatoes are growing. New butterflies are appearing on the lavender and the deer are nibbling on the blackberries. Life continues and is beautiful.

This has been a week of intense beauty. The weather, the flowers, the countryside, it has been stirring, lovely, and moving. Everything isn't perfect. There are things that need to be fixed, apologies that need to be said, forgiveness needed, and yet there are still so many lovely things around. There are blue skies and sunshine, babies and birds, flowers and new leaves and it it so special and breathtaking. Sometimes I know we are moving through a cloud that comes from our own minds and it obscures all the lovely things around us.

So here is an Easter thanksgiving, or a spring thought if you prefer. Thank you God for all that is lovely. Thank you for all that is new. Thank you for all that is unblemished. Thank you for new life and freedom and forgiveness and all that is good. Strengthen me to face what is not good, in me and in others. Give me patience to wait for the new life that comes from you. Accept my trust, even when I am unsure or confused. Please receive my love, appreciation, and faithfulness. I treasure my relationship with you even though it is completely unmerited on my part. Thank you for the wonderful Creation you share with us, thank you for the record of your faithfulness in your words to us, thank you for the relationship we are able to have with you. Thank you!