PD
All is quiet with the exception of the rhythmic ceiling fan stirring the cooled conditioned air in the early hours of the morning. In this pre-dawn time my thoughts surround the notion that assuming a different position will render a more relaxed portal through which sleep will descend. Relaxation fails to arrive and thoughts of the day ahead begin swirling almost with the rhythm of the fan. A conscious leap to thoughts of gratitude for another evening of renewal and a current day offering up the presence of possibilities to discover what opportunities lie yet to be discovered brings the assurance of hope for another day. As I peer through the glass door to the well illuminated white bench in the yard I recall the many years that bench has occupied that space. My father placed it there when I was in college and except for the replacement of the wooden back rails and the occasional paint job it has remained the same for all those years. It has seen the pecan tree erupt into a giant green monster over it and has witnessed my son’s first lesson in “stick carving” and his wife’s seating in her wedding dress (for pictures) on the day of their marriage. It has held my daughter and I as we talked, my granddaughter and I as we cracked some pecans and it stands today as a wonderful reminder of the blessings for which this old PD possessor has to be thankful. The journey from the restless dawn to the bench of memories was only a few thankful moments that reminded me of grateful gifts of the past and anticipation of those yet to come!
Spotty rain showers helped lower the temperature a few degrees as this reluctant host to PD ventured out for some late morning errands. With the first errand completed an adventure to a nearby “boutique” café near the river seemed to be beckoning my fantasy for a late morning lunch. Only a few customers occupied a small number of tables scattered about the room and the counter where orders were taken and payments exchanged. Order complete and tray in hand I proceeded to a table to await my selected specialty. With a few minutes time to wait the urge to check messages and recent postings asserted itself as I thoughtfully browsed my handy cell phone, genuinely oblivious to those nearby. The sandwich arrived and this consumer soon indulged his fantasy one bite at a time. A momentary glance away from the peculiar posting being read led me to the surprising and delightful sight of a distant cousin entering the café with her daughter. She and my father were first cousins and we had officially met the previous October at a family reunion. My face and heart lit up as they entered with a friend. We immediately recognized one another and enjoyed a “hello” hug and a few words of greeting. A few minutes later we chatted about health, happiness, and recent travels before I departed for the remainder of errands and journey back home. Memories of my father and stories of his youth came rushing into my thoughts as I savored the sight of this majestic lady well into her nineties. Feelings of gratitude and honor lifted my thoughts to utter words of thankfulness as I resumed the tasks scheduled for the remainder of the day. Gratitude again lightened the pathway of that day’s journey!
Heat and humidity engulfed the space around us as overcast skies brought a reprieve from the otherwise penetrating August sun. The man gasped for air as he explained his need for assistance moving some final objects from an apartment to a house on the north side of town. This possessor of Parkinson’s symptoms steadied himself as he listened to the desires of the man with what appeared to be chronic bronchitis standing before him. Being a moving shuttle had not been on the agenda for today, but opportunities to serve and show the grace that has been given me had been among my prayers even this morning. The man in need is a regular attendee at the “breakfast club” on Sunday mornings at the church and faithfully attends worship services as well. My view from the choir loft gives access to every face even in the absence of identified name. As I took great care descending some rather irregular and steep front steps while carrying a small table to the truck I silently wished for a breeze to help stir the humid air engulfing my face and forehead. Soon we had the few pieces that needed to be transported securely in the truck bed as we sped along our way up North Main to the man’s newly rented home. In the cool of the air conditioned truck the man told me a bit about his past and I was thankful for the opportunity to learn a bit more about the gentleman who saw my truck as a means to satisfy his need to be relocated by tomorrow. Time, place, and willingness to be helpful had provided the means by which blessings could be shared in unique and unexpected ways. We were both blessed by this morning’s encounter and grateful that the time and willingness had coalesced.
Clinging to the skin as a plastic wrap to a soup dish the morning air engulfed this aging PD host as we exited the “climate controlled” house. Soon we were speeding down the country road chilling ourselves with the flow of pressure cooled air in the vehicle designed for transport and comfort. Merging cautiously onto the bypass with vehicles speeding by we adjusted our speed to travel at a steady pace toward our planned destination. In the road ahead and in the passing lane to the left, a small box turtle was making its way toward the west ever so slowly. The creature had already made it through one lane on this fast paced roadway and was just about half way across the passing lane. If the turtle was to make the journey to a point yet to be discovered midst the forested byway, it had to make it through the highway median and another two lanes of fast paced traffic moving in the opposite direction. I wondered what the chances would be as I recalled just the week before anther box turtle on a two lane country road that was attempting a crossing as I was passing by and then discovering on my return a short while later the smashed remains of the turtle in the middle of the lane. As I sped by today’s box turtle I pondered that box turtle’s state. Was it dumb to tackle that dangerous pathway to a destination unforeseen? Or, was it brave to pursue its desires for adventure and change? Suddenly I realized that I was projecting my reasoning abilities (and sometimes lack thereof) onto a little box turtle who was doing what box turtles do; move from one place to another in search of food and or another box turtle. Sometimes, I think, the thoughts along our journey are too deep and at other times not deep enough. Today I am grateful for the ability to do what humans do; sometimes foolishly, sometimes bravely, sometimes fearfully, sometimes fearlessly, sometimes angrily, sometimes peacefully and I pray more and more often that we do things lovingly!
The notion that two or more “different” realities may exist at the same time may be somewhat explained by quantum physics. As this PD possessor has advanced in years it appears that the experience of reality personally touched must of necessity differ dramatically from that expressed and referenced by some individuals (and groups) on social media outlets expounding their notion of foundational truth. Understanding that “parallel” universes exist at what may be expressed as the same time is not new; having two realities (expressed as truthfully witnessed) occurring within the same universe is indeed perplexing. Yet, wars have been fought within the span of known civilization over such “witness” variables and interpretations of fundamental “truths”. My inclination is to dismiss such divergent “witness” as “short sighted” “wrong-minded” or otherwise ignorant. In quiet moments, however, I recall the charge to love as we are loved by the Creator of ALL the universe(s). The notion is inspiring and the inspiration is motivating, but the execution of that love is sometimes lacking in specifics. Thankful that this day provides another opportunity to uncover, discover, or otherwise unveil the specifics of love in action fills this somewhat maturing soul with a grateful heart that continues to seek. The energy to pursue the acts of love seems to arise from the heart that gives thanks and experiences gratitude for the gift of opportunity.
Through the trees on the eastern horizon the dawning sun burst through like a giant red flame. A welcomed reprieve from the burdensome heat and humidity of the last few days appears to have arrived as evidenced by the ever so slight chill in the morning air. Gracie the mother Golden scurried about her business while sniffing out her seemingly random pathway to nowhere, nevertheless accomplishing her goal of elimination. Sebastian the cat munched on the freshly poured nuggets in his bowl on the porch. The pups began to raise their yapping voices in protest that a nourishing nipple could not be found. Soon the mother of eleven precious but demanding pups consumed her morning chow, rehydrated her thirsty tongue, and then assumed her loving position gathering hungry canines to her breasts. Another precious day has arrived at the farm and the quiet of the morning is host to prayer, reading, and capturing these thoughts of wonder and gratitude. This host to PD reflects in wonder. If thankfulness is indeed the substance upon which today’s pathway is built then gratitude will be the guide throughout the day.
The condensation on the windows and glass doors obscures the view of the bright morning sun. A balm of humidity engulfs one as steps are taken from inside the well modulated air conditioned house onto the otherwise inviting porch. What appears to be inviting from inside proves to be nearly unbearable when the invitation is accepted as globs of humid and hot air consume the space around. Fleeting memories of childhood days and summers at the old farmhouse where the air was conditioned only in the shade of the open windows and endured in the absence of pants, shirt, and shoes come rushing by. The “free-range” chickens are already busy clawing and pecking in the newly spread mulch around the giant maple trees as the attentive and tired mother of pups takes her leave in the distant meadow. Just these few minutes rocking in the porch swing midst the steamy summer air starts to elicit a glisten of uncomfortable compensation for a body exposed to the reality of summer. Grateful that the mechanically cooled house afforded a comfortable and relatively uninterrupted sleep, the yawning grandpa, calls for the return of the mother Golden to her cool station with her healthy litter. PD symptoms subdued in the presence of much needed rest, this grateful heart returns to his coffee and pursuit of another day whose agenda though planned will unfold even if and as challenges arise. Thankfulness is the substance upon which today’s pathway is built.
Morning came earlier than planned yesterday. The crisp and chilled air stoked the desire to curl beneath the warmth of the covers. Pain, discomfort, and an involuntary twitching joined forces with a mind that refused to surrender to slumber and became ever so persistent in the prompting to rise from the bed. With a solid four hours of slumber consumed this possessor of Parkinson’s proceeded to his recliner and the convenience of a book nearing its completion. Expecting sleep to make another visit we read and waited until it was obvious the visitor was not to arrive again that morning. Promptly consuming morning medication and coffee we soon set out in the rain for the men’s prayer breakfast scheduled for the convenience of those not rushing to work. A lesson about the “two sons” reminded us that what we do is a much deeper expression of our faith than what we say we will do. A return to the farmhouse rendered this tired and achy PD cohabitant to a state of intermittent jerks and twitches that prompted schedule readjustments and re-focused attention to letting go of the need to be anywhere other for that time. Prayers of gratitude for moments of spastic reprieve along with the prayers of others led to a restful evening of slumber and a return to today’s opportunities to serve others. Even in the mist of today’s chilling rain, there glows the light of possibilities fueled by the presence of thankfulness to be a living part of today’s experience!
The scratching and crackling had become all too prevalent just over the two front windows. A windstorm two weeks ago rendered the siding over the eaves tattered and torn. Just a slight gust of wind sent the ripped metal pieces flapping against the house or roof in noisy protest. Something more seemed to be going on and the suspects were a pair of red winged blackbirds who were possibly commandeering an out of the weather space to build a nest. As the repairman went about his task of replacing the poorly constructed eaves covering from forty years ago, this reluctant host to PD went about the task of completing his agenda. The doorbell sounded and this stiff legged shuffler made his way to the waiting door. Held firmly in the hand of the repairman was a well crafted nest containing five small eggs and several black feathers. The nest had been exposed as the old siding was being removed to make way for the replacement. We were both concerned about the potential blackbird family and knew there was no way to return the nest to its pre-discovery state. Hoping for the best, the nest and its bright orbs was placed securely in the grand old pecan tree near the house. The nesting pair may never return, but we are thankful that there was a place high off the ground in which the painstakingly crafted nursery could be placed. Even as the normal process of life is sometimes interrupted there are moments and spaces of opportunity that emerge. We can only hope that the red winged pair discovers the new location of the opportunity to continue their process of family building!
A forecast of summer weather so early in the spring seems out of place since frost just paid us a visit a few nights ago. The landscape is bursting with shades of green as wild onions and wire grass engage their respective genetic propensity on the ground. Mid-morning air, less humid than frank summer temperatures, already seems to beg for a breeze to move it along. A shady place will surely be welcomed by birds and mammals as the afternoon temperature is expected to climb in the higher double digits. Warmth without humidity is a welcomed occurrence to this PD host who sometimes finds maneuvering through cold weather more challenging than not. Thoughts of gratitude well up inside as childhood memories of springtime emerge. The childhood memories of freedom from the restraints of heavy clothing and clunky shoes shed in the warmth of summer flood this thankful heart. Gratitude is the sunshine in which a thankful heart basks and absorbs the memories of a life so filled with love. May your day be bright with that gratitude that illuminates the blessings that surround like the grains of sand beside the stream.