SO GOOD to hear from you guys! I got the Happy Holidays (Hawaiian style) Note last week sometime, but have not had “Computer Time” for really savoring the news…so I’ve been putting “you” off – apologies!
I do recognize E’s face, and in my imagination revert it back to a cute little kid I knew. Very sad that he has died. Will let M.K. know about Mrs. C. – I think he was in her class.
MM News: M.K. and I both got “please send money” letters this year from H.H. Oddly enough, I was reflecting that if she had signed it herself, or said “Hi!” or anything, I might actually have sent some. So much for impersonal fundraising. We all know it doesn't work.
I’ve also been infrequently alternating between browsing and deleting the MM Weekly Newsletter. It is like reading a newspaper from a foreign country, or other world…?! So many day-to-day things that do not affect me and that I couldn’t care less about…and yet they are somehow connected to me…
I wrote (and subsequently deleted by accident
I was at one of the first events of the season: “A Buddhist and a Pagan Throw a Holiday Party,” and actually met one of Father V’s Nephews. (Don’t ask me how that topic rolled around.) It was unbelievably fun to hear about his “family” life – although really, he has been living in the Mission since age 13 (!?!?!), so his blood relatives are probably less his family than his brethren and his parish.
In one of those lovely synchronous folds that the universe wraps us up in, I went from thinking and reflecting on Father V. and his effect on my life, to accidentally (Free Tickets!) seeing this amazing Broadway show called “Doubt.” The play was about two nuns and a priest in a Catholic School and the suspicion of improper interaction between one of the boy students and the priest. The play was very fascinating, if often uncomfortable, and an incredibly well constructed, non-preachy message (Even if you count the actual sermons written into the play). If you get a chance to see it, or read the play, I recommend it as a wonderful reflection exercise.
I had a disappointing Halloween and Birthday visit to Arizona. I have not seen much of my Niece, primarily because her mother seems to be using her as a pawn in the power/control fight between herself and M.K. Sad, sad, sad…
On the other hand, I had a very nice afternoon with my brother on his birthday: He practiced the banjo while I sat all curled up on his couch and we just talked and laughed. Amazing. My father made home-made peanut and cashew brittle, packed in festive holiday tins for friends and family members (Aliens have removed and replaced the man I knew as a child). One of the very few people in my life who did not press any sweets on me – he asked, very respectfully, if I wanted some, since he knew I was cautious about food, sweets, etc. WOW.
In an odd turn of events, my mother and I continue to grow farther apart and spend less and less time together; What time we do spend is strained and generally ends in a nasty fight of some kind. She was perfectly awful to me during Thanksgiving, and doesn’t really have time to devote to communicating about why. Pshaw.
I’m maintaining my current weight successfully and thinking about some cooking and nutrition education classes so that I can be more informed about what I put in my body. I’m looking forward to the holiday week when I will have an opportunity to “catch up” on tasks I’ve put off: Making my Memory Albums, writing, updating my resume and looking around at the job market, reading, supporting my husband (who is in a HUGE push right now for the Consumer Electronics show in Jan).
I had this wonderful tarot reading (never had one before) at Dickens Faire (like Renaissance Faire, only….you get it!) which told me to REST and reflect deeply on my career / work in the world. I am almost at 6 years with my company, 4 of those working 4 days a week, and I definitely feel like it is time to make a decision about “hunkering down” in my non-challenging, secure corporate job, OR head back out into the challenging and interesting and creative world of “real work.” Both have their appeal and offer many opportunities!
I’m also more and more interested in changing my “home” environment. I need about 400sq feet more space for my sanity, and I’m feeling less and less safe in my neighborhood. 2/3 of our closest neighbors have been robbed in the past year and even the thought of being a “victim” brings up SUCH horrible baggagy reactions in me. Wrote a bit about that in my blog awhile back…which you are welcome to read anytime, BTW.
Okay, speaking of work, I should go find some to do. Will write more when I get a chance to check out your holiday message.
