Give me divinity! will be my rallying cry this year.
What a beautiful piece and I enjoyed your portrayal of vultures. As someone who has spent oh so many days cleaning up messes I did not make, I appreciate them.
Thank you for gathering and sharing your words in such a meaningful way.
Only you could associate vultures with beautiful moments.... And I agree... I approach each day as if every moment is a serendipitous moment.. I look for them every moment... I remember in particular being on a senior high workshop at Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain North Carolina sometime probably in the 1980s.. Our theme was Jesus and the disciples.... I found myself walking around mid Saturday looking for the perfect place for Holy Communion.. My coordinator was walking with me and urging me to make a decision where we should have this moment... I replied I'm sure there is some special revelation yet to come.... I think I heard a little laughter as my coordinator walked away to go to some other responsibilities... I almost laughed myself at my own words.. In about 15 minutes at the top of the hill I saw the manager of the camp coming to me and thought I might be in distress so he asked me if I needed any help... I told him no I was just scouting out some places that I had not seen for some sessions.... Then he made the serendipitous offer... He stated, there are lots of places on campus... Oh by the way, we just opened the building to your left which is a 100 year old dormitory and you can use any room in it if you like, especially the attic is available ..and I said. The attic? And he said yes, and he pointed and said it's the upper room..... The Upper Room??? Jesus and his disciples?? Holy Communion? Serendipitous at its best... However, I saw no vultures flying overhead... But I'm sure they were somewhere close by...
Magic. It’s all magic. My sister and I found ourselves in Hong Kong for work at the same time. (We lived in different states and worked for different organizations and did not plan this). Magic. It was December and a colleague of mine - an expat - was having a holiday gathering at her home. My sister joined me. She spotted a woman across the room and said “I know her”. I insisted that was not possible. The woman was the wife of another colleague who was also on an expat assignment. My sister insisted. She did know them both. John and Carol ran in the same crowd as my sister at the University of Delaware many years prior. Small world magic.
That's amazing, Vicki! And, to me, evidence not of probabilities and odds but of workings far beyond what my human brain can understand. And, that's just fine with me. Thanks for sharing.
Kettle, committee, wake. Who knew?? Lovely writing, my friend. And I'm just a few minutes off from your mom's (and my grandfather's) birthday-- I love when I happen to glance at my phone right at 12:34. And it happens a lot!
I know "they" say we only notice it because it holds significance, but couldn't...wait, SHOULDN'T that be the approach to most of life? Paying attention to small details because they are the building blocks of whole days filled with appreciation? Thanks, Stephanie!
Like the Muscovy ducks we used to raise, I sometimes feel sorry for vultures. I'm sure any distaste is tied closely with their naked heads. After all, Bald Eagles also eat carrion and exhibit far less appealing behaviors overall. It takes a [bird] village! Thanks for your comment, Kate. Much appreciated!
LOVE "peace eagles" - I've always been a vulture fan, but will never think of them quite the same way again. Thanks, E! Great read! Love this stuff. XO KB
It is amazing how individual perception can influence the understanding of many events. I used to want to calculate the odds of certain coincidences, as if the math would allow me to believe the unbelievable. Now I feel no need for proof as my connection with the universe goes beyond the logic that I try to reel it in with. Much like walking on an invisible bridge that has taken me to places I thought impossible, yet it might just collapse if decide to look down and question how it works.
Give me divinity! will be my rallying cry this year.
What a beautiful piece and I enjoyed your portrayal of vultures. As someone who has spent oh so many days cleaning up messes I did not make, I appreciate them.
Thank you for gathering and sharing your words in such a meaningful way.
You know what? Acknowledgement of a being for cleaning up messes it did not make did not even cross my mind. Brava! Thank you!
Only you could associate vultures with beautiful moments.... And I agree... I approach each day as if every moment is a serendipitous moment.. I look for them every moment... I remember in particular being on a senior high workshop at Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain North Carolina sometime probably in the 1980s.. Our theme was Jesus and the disciples.... I found myself walking around mid Saturday looking for the perfect place for Holy Communion.. My coordinator was walking with me and urging me to make a decision where we should have this moment... I replied I'm sure there is some special revelation yet to come.... I think I heard a little laughter as my coordinator walked away to go to some other responsibilities... I almost laughed myself at my own words.. In about 15 minutes at the top of the hill I saw the manager of the camp coming to me and thought I might be in distress so he asked me if I needed any help... I told him no I was just scouting out some places that I had not seen for some sessions.... Then he made the serendipitous offer... He stated, there are lots of places on campus... Oh by the way, we just opened the building to your left which is a 100 year old dormitory and you can use any room in it if you like, especially the attic is available ..and I said. The attic? And he said yes, and he pointed and said it's the upper room..... The Upper Room??? Jesus and his disciples?? Holy Communion? Serendipitous at its best... However, I saw no vultures flying overhead... But I'm sure they were somewhere close by...
One of those "hits you like a ton of bricks" moments -- only far more enjoyable! Appreciate this story, Barry. And, you.
Magic. It’s all magic. My sister and I found ourselves in Hong Kong for work at the same time. (We lived in different states and worked for different organizations and did not plan this). Magic. It was December and a colleague of mine - an expat - was having a holiday gathering at her home. My sister joined me. She spotted a woman across the room and said “I know her”. I insisted that was not possible. The woman was the wife of another colleague who was also on an expat assignment. My sister insisted. She did know them both. John and Carol ran in the same crowd as my sister at the University of Delaware many years prior. Small world magic.
That's amazing, Vicki! And, to me, evidence not of probabilities and odds but of workings far beyond what my human brain can understand. And, that's just fine with me. Thanks for sharing.
Kettle, committee, wake. Who knew?? Lovely writing, my friend. And I'm just a few minutes off from your mom's (and my grandfather's) birthday-- I love when I happen to glance at my phone right at 12:34. And it happens a lot!
I know "they" say we only notice it because it holds significance, but couldn't...wait, SHOULDN'T that be the approach to most of life? Paying attention to small details because they are the building blocks of whole days filled with appreciation? Thanks, Stephanie!
Again. So much BIGNESS (insert smirk emoji) in such simplicity.
I have a large love of feathered creatures including the vultures ....so thanks for this my friend
Like the Muscovy ducks we used to raise, I sometimes feel sorry for vultures. I'm sure any distaste is tied closely with their naked heads. After all, Bald Eagles also eat carrion and exhibit far less appealing behaviors overall. It takes a [bird] village! Thanks for your comment, Kate. Much appreciated!
LOVE "peace eagles" - I've always been a vulture fan, but will never think of them quite the same way again. Thanks, E! Great read! Love this stuff. XO KB
That makes two of us! Thanks for the boost, Kathy, and for making time to read and reply.
It is amazing how individual perception can influence the understanding of many events. I used to want to calculate the odds of certain coincidences, as if the math would allow me to believe the unbelievable. Now I feel no need for proof as my connection with the universe goes beyond the logic that I try to reel it in with. Much like walking on an invisible bridge that has taken me to places I thought impossible, yet it might just collapse if decide to look down and question how it works.
Love the bridge analogy Jared, and the courage it takes to step into the unbelievable with conviction! Thanks for reading and commenting.