It’s all got that late summer look, that time when it seems appropriate to start savoring. An end is formulating. Time for the harvest of things, animal and vegetable. The sunset is noticeably earlier. A different set of bugs play their role. Young ravens do their weird vocals in the air overhead. The deck around the tapas table is becoming littered with brown leaves from the cherry overhead. The grandson’s toys are strewn hither and yon.
Soon it will be fall or autumn. Autumn sounds more dignified to me at the moment. The Seahawks won our football game last night, Seattle is happy. September means My Rebecca’s birthday and our anniversary. If I am doing my math right that is going to be 39 years that we have been married. Always tell her that we must be having fun.
For an early Thanksgiving I am thankful that I got through my four chemo treatments here lately. They were of a heavier formulation and have been a challenge. A scan is scheduled for two weeks from now to see if we made a difference with all that work. I keep telling people that God has my attention with this ongoing cancer of mine.
I read something from the Richard Rohr blog this morning which digs to a deeper level on this same topic: Merton quotes Meister Eckhart as saying, “For God to be is to give being, and for man to be is to receive being.” Our true self is a received self. At each moment, we exist to the extent we receive existence from God who is existence.
It always gets deeper in an instant, doesn’t it? Well it is never boring. Take care and keep in touch. Take heart another cougar is coming. Love, Felipe.
I too am challenged daily by Richard Rohr’s email. In today’s summary I especially liked the Practice: Prayer of the Heart part, Thomas Merton’s own description of meditation or contemplative prayer. Rohr really speaks to my being.
Ron ~ I am always amazed by how that blog just boles (sp?) me over day after day. Never a dull moment with those people. So glad that Rohr speaks to your being. We must be on the same wave length. Write soon and often, thanks Felipe.
By reading your blog daily, we feel we are walking with you. It also reminds us of the joy we experienced when we were there with you and Rebecca. Was that really only 2 days of visiting with you? Wow! Still reaping from the blessings we received.
Keeping you in prayer.
Loretta ~ your visit could have been the high point of my summer. Maybe two days was enough, more would have fried some of our circuits. Hey, really looking forward to being down in CA with you all. Felipe.x
Awwww, yes it is the time of transition here too. Summer travel is over. Time to get geared up for school to begin. Get the text books, organize the syllabus, set up the course website, get materials and resources lined up. Clean the office!
The weather is cooling down finally. Needing a light blanket at night, but still quite warm during the day. Low 90’s and upper 80’s.
Soon it will be September and I am reminded of our great trip to Fort Townsend last year! What great memories, what great people, what great adventures, what great celebrations, what great scenery! I am savorying these memories like a delicious piece of dessert you slowly consume and detect every flavor before swallowing! I am thinking strongly of you, Felipe and trying to savor our moments spent together until the next time. Sending much strength to you for endurance through this new chemo regime and positive outcomes for the up-coming scans!
Much Love,
Your Handler
Carol ~ Thanks for your thoughts. Yea, that festival at PT was awesome. But as I remember you didn’t get a chance to make it to the ranch, maybe we can fix that soon. Yes, Autumn is the time to savor after all the hard work. That’s what I am trying to do. The best to you and Kelly, Felipe.x