Rembering you

Death is not the end...the dead are here with us...You cannot see them with the human eye. But you can sense the presence of those you love who have died...You can feel that they are near. -from Anam Cara by John O'Donohue

Memory eternal Raymond Edward Swanson

February 11, 1927-March 24, 2011

Messenger

Mary Oliver

My work is loving the world.

Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird-

equal seekers of sweetness.

Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.

Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.

 

Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?

Am I no longer young, and still half-perfect? Let me

keep my mind on what matters,

which is my work,

 

which is mostly standing still and learning to be

astonished.

The phoebe, the delphinium.

The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture.

Which is mostly rejoicing, since all the ingredients are here,

 which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart

and these body-clothes,

a mouth with which to give shouts of joy

to the moth and the wren, to the sleepy dug-up-clam,

telling them all, over and over, how it is

that we live forever. 

O death, where is thy sting? O Hades where is thy victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!...Christ is risen and life reigns! -from The Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom

Supergirl

Because my father was fond of quoting this verse by Longfellow to me, his little girl.

There was a little girl,

Who had a little curl,

Right in the middle of her forehead.

When she was good,

She was very good indeed,

But when she was bad she was horrid.

Peace and goodness to you this week. 

And dare to take a minute to reverence the beauty of the daffodil.

Prayer of St. Francis

Because Thomas's new favorite thing to do is peel, cook, mash, and eat a potato and he prefers to wear shorts over his comfy pants. And because he loves when Pooh Bear attempts to fool the bees by pretending he is a little rain cloud and because his favorite color is blue. 

 

Because Russell likes to tell people he lives in India and his favorite color is red. And because if he could meet anyone he chose Jesus and I didn't even prompt him. Because I heard him singing "Simple Gifts," and he loves the Count from Sesame Street.

Because Lucia wants to be Spiderman for Halloween and her baby lamb's name is Bill. Because at dinner Friday night she told her dad and me that when she grows up she is going "to be bigger" and "a mommy," and corrected her brother Russell by saying that H.A. Rey, not Arnold Lobel, wrote Curious George. 

Because Elliot's favorite foods are burnt toast, then cinnamon toast, and then just plain toast, and his baby's name is Suitcase. And because his favorite color is purple and he swore last night that the two stars glittering brightly above our home were two angels in the sky.

Because after hearing some thunder the night before Russell inquired if it was the 4th of July and is convinced monsters live in our closets. Because his favorite book is Arnold Lobel's Mouse Soup and his favorite food pepperoni, two of which he stole out of the refrigerator before breakfast this morning and then confessed to during church.

Because she has a favorite poem and it is "A Little Bird," by Christina T. Owen and if she could meet anyone she chose my godfather Pete (who departed this life last year and she never met). And because she adamantly swears her favorite foods are split pea soup and lentils even though this is completely false.

Because Elliot's favorite movie is Mulan and last week after apologizing for some mischief he then issued to me the Star Wars blessing, "May the force be with you." And because he wants to be Mr. Snuffleupagus for Halloween and his favorite book is No, David! (shocker).

Because Thomas frequently reminds us that he is a carnivore and loves, loves meat, especially chicken and he memorized Mary Oliver's poem, "Mushrooms," and chides me because I cannot remember the words. And because last week he and his dad built a dam in the creek I played in as a child and because he loves the girl next door.

Because even in the midst of death there is new life and my aunt's great granddaughter, Kinsley Margaret entered into this world even as Aunt Margaret was returning home to die. And because I had the honor of being welcomed into my uncle and aunt's home and was able to sit by her side and hold her hand, which is so like my mother's, to bring a glass of cool water to her mouth, and to kiss her head and tell this precious woman that I love her.

Because of all of this, I lift up my hands in thanksgiving and offer up this prayer.

Thoughts

T.S. Eliot
-from "Ash- Wednesday," VI

     This is the time of tension between dying and birth
The place of solitude where three dreams cross
Between blue rocks
But when the voices shaken from the yew-tree drift away
Let the other yew be shaken and reply.
     Blessed sister, holy mother, spirit of the fountain, spirit of the
          garden,
Suffer us not to mock ourselves with falsehood
Teach us to care and not to care
Teach us to sit still
Even among these rocks,
Sister, mother
And spirit of the river, spirit of the sea,
Suffer me not to be separated

     And let my cry come unto Thee.

In memory of our cousin, Matthew Andrew Tyrrell, departed this life four years ago on this day.

And for my mother's sister, my precious Aunt Margaret who just returned home to die after a brief illness. Please pray for her and my Uncle Dale and their family, my cousins. For peace. For comfort. For joy.