Sunday, November 30, 2008

Newer Things

It's the Sunday morning after Thanksgiving. And for the first time in (almost exactly!) four months, I feel like sitting down and capturing all this. With a cup of coffee and Sarah Bareilles (Live album).

A lot has happened the last third of a year. Autumn/Winter has set in. I have jumped out of planes, I have stood up at weddings, I have cheered the victor of a race. I climbed into and out of the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I have raised a glass and given Thanks and I have cried the tears of heartbreak.

There have been job shakeups (both good and bad), friendships, music, great books and great words. Family has gathered. I remain grateful as I continue to grow. I was telling a friend yesterday that you can love God your whole life, but what an amazing thing to continue to wrestle intelligently AND rejoice through life. My heart is full but what a gift to have a mind to reason and consider and think and discover. Because of all this, I'm a different person from what I was last year, and five years ago and twenty-five years ago. What a blessing it is to grow and change. And what a blessing it is that God doesn't.... "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b) God's timeless presence continues to captivate and comfort me. Even when finding peace feels impossible.

I can't help but mention that (and not to get all political) I find real joy in Barack Obama's victory this November. I look forward to a return of national pride and real leadership through this bleak, bleak national crisis. Things won't change and improve overnight. It is naive to believe they could. But I eagerly await that day when I can trust the words of my president and have every reason to confidently travel to the ends of the earth and proudly say that yes, I am an American. These are the days I will tell my grandchildren about; and I will always remember where I was when it was announced that Barack Obama was elected President and there was celebrating in the streets the world over. (Conservatives, put your hankies away. It WILL be ok.)

Foggy day today. There is something so beautifully soothing about foghorns across Puget Sound this morning. So very restful and quiet. I'm about to jump up and clean my apartment from top to bottom and winterize my little garden. That seems fine but I'd really rather jump on my bike and ride till dark like I did when I was a kid. At any rate, whatever I do.... I am thankful for this day ahead and others like it. Sappiness and sentimentality aside, there is my latest.