Happy Whatever-fraction-it-is Birthday

Today is one of my friend’s birthdays. It’s another’s half birthday. And it’s yet another’s 2/3 birthday.

Don’t ask me why I do this, because I don’t know, but I wish two of these friends a happy whatever-fraction-it-is birthday every 27th of the month.

I always get excited when I realize it’s the 27th. I find myself calculating and reducing fractions, usually first thing in the morning, and sending happy whatever-fraction-it-is birthday to my friends. They always smile and say thank you in response. Sometimes we chat for a few minutes. Sometimes they write me on my whatever-fraction-it-is birthday, and I smile and thank them in return. It’s a nice little exchange. And it’s something so very, very simple…

I’ve been doing okay with thoughts of returning to school. Even though mostly everything is uncertain—including what I’ll be teaching and in what space I’ll be teaching it—I’ve been practicing being present in these moments rather than letting the uncertainty take control of me. But this morning, while texting a friend, I broke down and cried at the overwhelming nature of it all.

And then I remembered that it’s the 27th. I smiled. It’s a friend’s birthday. It’s another friend’s half birthday. It’s another friend’s 2/3 birthday. There is reason for celebration today.

Don’t worry. I didn’t deny my tears. I let them flow until they were ready to stop. I fully felt the angst that I was feeling. But then I tried to do what scripture asks us to do: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Friends: May you find reason to celebrate today. And may you start wishing your people happy whatever-fraction-it-is birthday. Everyone needs to know that they are cause for celebration at different points throughout the year…because sometimes, a lot of times, the people in our lives are the biggest reasons we have to give thanks. Give thanks today, friends. Amen. And amen.

Ram Skull Painting

Last summer in Romania, my main task was to help with crafts at a summer camp. One day, my team and I were tasked with doing crafts outside as part of a horse-back riding adventure. In between sessions, I went wandering in the woods. As I wandered, I found a fully in tact ram skull. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I knew that Barb the Art Teacher would be fascinated, so I took a bunch of pictures and immediately sent them to her…

Fast forward to yesterday.

Barb presented me with a painting of the ram skull.

I almost cried because I was so happy.

To say that I like it is an understatement.

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Sometime last Fall, I decided to buy a rock tumbler. One of my friends is as fascinated with rock tumbling as me, so I showed her my collection. Unbeknownst to me, she took some rocks to make a special gift for my birthday.

I almost cried because I was so happy.

To say that I like it is an understatement.

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A couple of weeks ago, I helped another friend paint her daughter’s bedroom. She had on a Meredith College t-shirt and I commented, in what I thought was passing, that I’d like a Meredith shirt. Little did I know that my request had been heard and that in less than a month, I’d have my own Meredith shirt.

I almost cried because I was so happy.

To say that I like it is an understatement.

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Yesterday, I received over 200 FB messages from friends. I also received 4 cards in the mail.

Friends are specials gift that should not be taken for granted. I am so incredibly grateful to have amazing friends.

Thank YOU, friend, for being part of my journey.

And I challenge you today: Reach out to someone you love and remind him/her that you love them. It could be a FB message, a card, a call, or an amazing gift. But reach out to someone today.

It might make them cry because they will be so happy.

And to say that they will like it is an understatement.

FreeCell

A couple of weeks ago, I had the strangest conversation with myself.

“I’d like to play FreeCell,” I thought.

“FreeCell?!” I responded.

“You haven’t played FreeCell in years!”

“I know. But I’d really like to play.”

I didn’t play that day. Or the next. Or the next.

But as thoughts of FreeCell continued to enter my mind, I finally gave in to the thoughts and downloaded a FreeCell App.

The last time I’d played FreeCell was when it came pre-installed on my computer!!

Since the download, I have played around 20 games.

I’ve noticed that I hold my breath while I’m playing because I get so anxious about my moves.

I try not to use hints, but sometimes I do.

I try not to use undo, but sometimes I do.

Sometimes I win. Sometimes I lose. But my reactions are always the same:

I feel very sad when I lose—disappointed and let down.

But then I feel a huge sense of accomplishment when I win—especially when I’ve caught myself thinking, “This is impossible. I’m going to lose.” The little card dance at the end of the game is truly a celebration! I begin to breathe again. And I smile while I release a little cheer.

I told a friend about my newfound FreeCell hobby. She said, “Your life is getting ready to become very hectic and stressful. You FreeCell all you want.”

I think I will.

I think I’ll continue my quest to be present right now—with whatever my thoughts bring up.

The stress of school (or whatever “school” is to you) is coming soon enough. For some, it’s already here.

So for now, and even then, let’s find joy every way we can…simple (well, not so simple 😊) victories included.

Uncertainty

The uncertainty in the air is palpable.

In fact, one of the only things that’s certain these days is uncertainty.

My dad asked me the other day what Joe the Counselor tells me about dealing with the uncertainty of the future.

I said, very simply, that Joe the Counselor reminds me to be present right here, right now, rather than making up stories of the future.

Joe the Counselor is a mindfulness practitioner. Mindfulness is about being fully aware of what’s going on in the moment that it is happening.

Yes. It’s easy to say.

But it’s not easy to do. Especially when life is uncertain and uncomfortable…or when you feel guilty for being happy when the rest of the world is surrounded by angst.

And yet, isn’t this what Jesus calls us to do when he tells us to “not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)

Doesn’t Jesus call us to live fully in this day?

Oh. We can’t be ignorant about tomorrow. So much of life needs to be planned and prepared. But that planning and preparation must happen in context of today…lest we lose today to tomorrow.

For example. Today, I signed up for one week of professional development that I must do for next year. Part of me wants to complain that I have to spend summer break doing unpaid work for a year that’s going to look like none other. That part of me wants to sit and stew about the fact that my birthday will be spent in workshops. But the other part of me knows that I have a choice to accept that this is what I must do to meet the demands of a job that I am grateful to have and I can agree with myself to meet its demands next week instead of trying to do so now. I can live today for today. The workshop starts on Monday. Monday will come soon enough. Until then, I have a weekend to live.

The uncertainty in the air is palpable.

There is so much we do not know.

Yet right here, right now, is the moment that we have to live.

Let’s make the most of these moments, friends.

Amen.

At Water's Edge

It took me almost 43 years to realize that there is something special about sitting on the beach where the water meets the sand. I realized it fully last week, and I’m so grateful for the time that I had to sit and think and pray…at water’s edge.

i.
At the water’s edge
Feet in soft sand, gently cooling
Safely here at rest

ii.
At the water’s edge
Waves crashing, not consuming
Peace washes o’er me.

iii.
It was raining.
I walked down anyway.
I planted my chair in the sand
Alone.
I sat
At water’s edge.
I waited.
I waited some more.
And then the sun peaked through
Grey clouds
And bathed me in
Warm, orange light.
I smiled.
Even as the rain returned
I smiled.
And sat
Content
At water’s edge.

What is something that you’ve realized recently? What is an experience you are grateful to have had? Please share. I’d love to hear.

When A Storm Comes

Dear God:
When a storm comes,
Give us the wisdom
To know if we should
Run away from it,
Stand and face it,
Push through it,
Or take shelter and wait for it to pass.
Different storms require different actions.
Help us to know
What to do when
And then
To trust you with the rest.
Amen.

Monday At The Beach

Waves crashing
Steady
Wind blowing
Invisible
People laughing
Happy
And still there is silence
Present