Thank You Barack,

Dear Barack,

When I think of the civil liberties that you and your family gave up to serve our country, I am indeed overwhelmed, and absolutely indebted; this all too brief thank you goes not only to you but to Michelle and Sasha and Malia too. Instead of summer holidays going from cheap motel to public beach, you, along with secret service, were in the spotlight; or in place of date night down at the local theater you were navigating normalcy with all of us peering into your dining room window. We Americans were indeed the lucky ones in this eight year scenario.

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Epiphany for the New Year

I have been thinking about the 12th night of Christmas, that moment when following the Star of Bethlehem the Three Kings arrived at the stable bearing gifts for the baby Jesus; and this Epiphany has left me pondering not only the event, but the word itself. I recall biblical stories as interesting tales whose metaphorical interpretations can lead to spiritual growth. The word epiphany originally referred to insight through the divine, which sounds truly vital to me right now, as I look forward to this 2017, and try, with all my might, not to imbue it with a mountain of fear and river of dread. Instead, I’m calling upon the divine, shifting attention to the upcoming Feast of the Epiphany and creating a list of my own guiding stars.

Vermont Woods in Winter Continue reading →

“A wild dedication of yourselves”

bwA course more promising   
Than a wild dedication of yourselves
To unpathed waters, undreamed shores; most certain,
To miseries enough: no hope to help you;
But, as you shake off one, to take another:
Nothing so certain as your anchors; who
Do their best office, if they can but stay you
Where you’ll be loth to be: besides, you know,
Prosperity’s the very bond of love,
Whose fresh complexion and whose heart together
Affliction alters. (“Winter’s Tale” Shakespeare)

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