Sometimes it takes a jarring moment of truth to realize how good life is. A dear friend of ours recently lost her Mama. It hurt me to the core to hear this news, like a knife cutting through a chakra; but the days go on.
Perhaps it's about losing an elder - she lived a very long life - or maybe it was about knowing a daughter had lost her Mother. This has been a mystery I've observed through most of my adult life with admiration and curiosity; not knowing what makes it such a special bond, at times jealous that I couldn't experience this bond in my own child-Mother relationship. Nonetheless I believe we are a better species for this magical union; even when there is fussing and squirming, the love women share with each other is what I aspire to [as part of my faith journey].
Supposed to be a nice day in Seattle; more blooms and more children laughing and screaming with joy. We have a young scientist in the house; eager to achieve but struggling to do the paperwork [we all struggle at this :} ], prodded with love from Mama she'll get it done.
con paz,
frank
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Frijoga
Since Frijole knows how to stretch; then let him extend this skill to
daily yoga practice.
daily yoga practice.
We can use all the prayers - from all God's creatures - to see us
toward the light.
con paz,,
frank
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, March 09, 2009
Reflections on Lent 2009: Week Two
Having Father Joseph McGowan give the homily at mass yesterday; was a blessing on many levels. He was the warm and nurturing voice my heart needed; after being untouched by a louder voice of conviction.
And what was Father McGowan sharing with us? To love, to be open to be loved; to listen for the emotions of another person but also what we feel as we connect with that person.
I've had kind of a rough second week of Lent; not anything personal or specific, just felt like a lot of yuk was going on and I couldn't do anything about it. Loss of control, but who's in control? Not I, nor do I need to be. Just listen, and love.
con paz,
frank
And what was Father McGowan sharing with us? To love, to be open to be loved; to listen for the emotions of another person but also what we feel as we connect with that person.
I've had kind of a rough second week of Lent; not anything personal or specific, just felt like a lot of yuk was going on and I couldn't do anything about it. Loss of control, but who's in control? Not I, nor do I need to be. Just listen, and love.
con paz,
frank
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Let's speak to each other
I'm testing the Windows Live Translator plugin; see it below to get started.
Please send me feedback on whether you think this works for a blog [or not].
con paz,
frank
Please send me feedback on whether you think this works for a blog [or not].
con paz,
frank
Strength in love
Today was a weird energy day. Not sure what the source of this weirdness is from; my calling is to ask Christ for cleansing from it; to be free to serve. Deborah noticed it more than I. And our partnership leans into each other, we pray, we love through all challenges - even during weird energy days.
Prayer list:
Carb
Evonne
Sarita
Eric
Fran
Ana's Family
con paz,
frank
Prayer list:
Carb
Evonne
Sarita
Eric
Fran
Ana's Family
con paz,
frank
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Reflections on Lent 2009: Week One
Hi. Decided to reflect/blog on Lent this year. Perhaps it's due to all the mini [and at times major] crises in my life, and that of our family and extended love network. Or perhaps it's about the times we live in, which seem scarier each day.
Or perhaps the will of God is tugging me so hard right now; and my response is deeper meditation on His word, His intentions for my life that reflection during Lent is in complete alignment with what I've been doing lately.
The theme for this Lent reflection is suffering and love.
Campbell talks often about the need to embrace suffering; as he says "joyfully participate in the suffering of the world". Both Hindu and Buddhist teaching talk about there being neither suffering or non-suffering; that it's all one or from a common source, to achieve enlightenment is to understand this. My Christ faith journey leads me toward a similar path; but not without a struggle to recognize the self, the desire for comfort [if not pleasure] in my life and thus the conflict with anything that is not comfort [or pleasure]. Yet in moving away from self as the orientation for faith and it's perfection of my life; there comes an instant connection with the souls of all who suffer - atONEment - with Christ.
Love is the support network for any suffering; can't tolerate or endure suffering without love. And yet love isn't an antidote to suffering; wouldn't expect love to take suffering away. Love is a healer in that it helps [at least me] get to atONEment with Christ and with all who suffer. And this is where healing finds it's perfection in my faith journey; to reconnect.
Catholics have a tradition of denial during Lent; to remove a temptation as we walk through the 40 day desert of the Lenten journey. I will try to remove dis-connection during this Lent; instead I want to reach out and joyfully participate. My Christ asks this of me; and thus far He has opened doors to take action [meditation is nice, but get out there and help someone].
con paz,
frank
Saturday, February 07, 2009
La semana pasada
There were a few moments of joy; when the sun rose, made the eyes squint; then went on to blanket us with brightness. But this is early February in Seattle; it's cold and rain or clouds are not far away.
Memphis is settling into first grade overachiever mode; trying to be ready for second grade curriculum with all the eagerness of a young bird after the first few long flights away from the Mother tree. She excels at many things [are they really 'things'] which is like saying she is panoramic in her curiosities. I often sit back and wonder what source she draws from: is it my blood, Deborah's or her own identity - free from ancestry - emerging?
Like some parents of children in Seattle Public Schools; we're learning to manage expectations for world class education. We want excellence for all children [Deborah has made a personal commitment to this - at least in our time together as partners - see Atrium and PTSA investments as proof] but not at the expense of our own child's immediate experience. The district is blessed with passionate; determined adults who want the same. But they [perhaps] have a longer view of the outcomes; given their children are either past K12 education or carefully monitored to stay on track.
What do we want from our public schools? Integration. What does this mean? It's not about race. I believe it's about the blend of gifts brought forward from each child; each family connected to the child. When this blend works; it's God blessed magic. And [unfortunately] when it does not work; we're all frustrated and thus retreat to taking care of our own; and only our own child. It seems to work most often in the arts; where choreography [as one example] is an integral part of the process of creating a sum from children working together. Perhaps the academic classroom needs a sum; which then prompts a need for more choreography.
Met an old carpool amigo for lunch Wednesday. He's in a new biz; with a new speedy car. I like the guy [and his family, values - do we still talk about these?]. What's odd [maybe sad] is that we don't hook up often; even infrequently, yet we live like a mile apart. He had to drive to Redmond to see me [when we could have walked to each other's home]. Anyway; we'll help each other make our families stronger and the neighborhood brighter.
Later in the week Sarita and Ken met us for 'Spaghetti Factory' dinner. Wasn't good; actually made my tummy rumble all night. But I'll take the company anytime. It is a HUGE blessing to have my sister in the same city. It's like we're catching up after all these years [which never existed because we slept in different houses]. But as I was sharing with Deborah; makes me miss my brother Eric even more.
I'm hunting for hom bow; see ya.
frank
Memphis is settling into first grade overachiever mode; trying to be ready for second grade curriculum with all the eagerness of a young bird after the first few long flights away from the Mother tree. She excels at many things [are they really 'things'] which is like saying she is panoramic in her curiosities. I often sit back and wonder what source she draws from: is it my blood, Deborah's or her own identity - free from ancestry - emerging?
Like some parents of children in Seattle Public Schools; we're learning to manage expectations for world class education. We want excellence for all children [Deborah has made a personal commitment to this - at least in our time together as partners - see Atrium and PTSA investments as proof] but not at the expense of our own child's immediate experience. The district is blessed with passionate; determined adults who want the same. But they [perhaps] have a longer view of the outcomes; given their children are either past K12 education or carefully monitored to stay on track.
What do we want from our public schools? Integration. What does this mean? It's not about race. I believe it's about the blend of gifts brought forward from each child; each family connected to the child. When this blend works; it's God blessed magic. And [unfortunately] when it does not work; we're all frustrated and thus retreat to taking care of our own; and only our own child. It seems to work most often in the arts; where choreography [as one example] is an integral part of the process of creating a sum from children working together. Perhaps the academic classroom needs a sum; which then prompts a need for more choreography.
Met an old carpool amigo for lunch Wednesday. He's in a new biz; with a new speedy car. I like the guy [and his family, values - do we still talk about these?]. What's odd [maybe sad] is that we don't hook up often; even infrequently, yet we live like a mile apart. He had to drive to Redmond to see me [when we could have walked to each other's home]. Anyway; we'll help each other make our families stronger and the neighborhood brighter.
Later in the week Sarita and Ken met us for 'Spaghetti Factory' dinner. Wasn't good; actually made my tummy rumble all night. But I'll take the company anytime. It is a HUGE blessing to have my sister in the same city. It's like we're catching up after all these years [which never existed because we slept in different houses]. But as I was sharing with Deborah; makes me miss my brother Eric even more.
I'm hunting for hom bow; see ya.
frank
Friday, January 30, 2009
One Family Dinner at a Time
With all the blight floating in the air; we can't stop practicing the basic act of loving each other. Tonite there was a gathering of dear friends; people I love super deep [if for no other reason, because there is no reason, i.e. there are no conditions, i.e. it's unconditional], and we ate hot, spicy food, shared stories; met a new person [from Cincinnati] and settled into the feeling you get when you're with your people.
If you know me - and you know who I'm talking about if you don't - then it's all easy to follow. One pause at a time, one plate sitting next to another plate and who cares what's being served [although good food makes it easy to use silence as an excuse to keep the mouth full]. And perhaps this is more loving each other; to keep feeding each other, whatever each other needs to be [not satisfied] but loved when it's not asked for.
Stay together; be together, keep loving.
con paz,
frank
If you know me - and you know who I'm talking about if you don't - then it's all easy to follow. One pause at a time, one plate sitting next to another plate and who cares what's being served [although good food makes it easy to use silence as an excuse to keep the mouth full]. And perhaps this is more loving each other; to keep feeding each other, whatever each other needs to be [not satisfied] but loved when it's not asked for.
Stay together; be together, keep loving.
con paz,
frank
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