Last week we snuck in a “Special Edition” Inspiration, mostly to celebrate my daughter, Chris’s, 64th birthday, but with a few surprises as well. Some of you have seen it, some not. But being that today we are the recipients of 15 hours of light, starting the day here in Oregon with the brightest sun we’ve seen in awhile and temperatures warming up to ‘just right’ and maybe a little beyond, I’m inclined to spend the day “basking”. As Mary Oliver ponders after strolling the fields … what else should I have done? Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? … So, what is that you, my dear beloved rascals, plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
Today, among other Solstice memories, I am thinking about my long-time friend Cynthia Gage, a dedicated Celebrator of the Seasons, who peacefully left us yesterday for what I’m sure can only be a better place filled with Light & Love & Grace. I’m guessing she had no further need for a mere 15 hours of light. I will miss her.
As we “officially” enter the Season of Summer even with the light beginning to fade as soon as tomorrow, let us, In the spirit of Carpe’ing Every Diem, open our arms and our hearts to both the Light & the Dark, the Bitter & the Sweet, the Sun & the Rain. In the end, I would really like to be counted among the Joyful Ones … all of us together. Until next time ….
Ode to the Joyful Ones
by Thomas Lux
Shield your joyful ones.
—from an Anglican prayer
That they walk, even stumble, among us is reason
to praise them, or protect them—even the sound
of a lead slug dropped on a lead plate, even that, for them,
is music. Because they bring laughter’s
brief amnesia. Because they stand,
talking, taking pleasure in others,
with their hands on the shoulders of strangers
and the shoulders of each other.
Because you don’t have to tell them to walk toward the light.
Because if there are two pork chops
they will serve you the better one.
Because they will give you the crutch off their backs.
Because when there are two of them together
their shining fills the room.
Because you don’t have to tell them to walk toward the light.
