So Thankful

As Thanksgiving weekend draws to a close, I am so thankful for:

• my sisters and brother, all of whom I got to see over the weekend
• my dear son and his wife who celebrate their 10th anniversary on December 1
• my sweet mother and the pretty green dress she found to wear on Thanksgiving Day
• my cozy apartment and covered parking space
• my computer, my cell phone, and all the technology available to me (even when I don't understand it)
• my love of reading, books, and libraries
• my CDs of Native American flute music that I bought on my trip to Arizona

During the month of November, on several different days, I made a list of 7 things I was especially thankful for at that moment, entering them into my personal, handwritten journal.  Tonight, I share my list with all those who might read my blog, and I invite you to make your own. 

Memorial Services for Laurence

My friend Laurence passed away earlier this fall (see my October 2 blog).  Not too long afterward, his family held a memorial service in California.  Today is the memorial service in Oregon.

In some ways, I feel like I have already been to a third memorial service - at the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, Arizona.  The Chapel is the site of one of Sedona's famous vortexes or energy centers and just a short drive from the center of town.  It was definitely on my "places to go" list.  With so many things to see and do, however, I didn't actually get there until late afternoon on my last full day in Arizona. 

As I walked up to the Chapel from the parking lot, I admired once again the rugged landscape I had enjoyed throughout my trip.  On entering, I was struck by the powerful simplicity of the Chapel's design and the reverence of all those visiting.  I sat for a while, enjoying the peacefulness, then noticed candles flickering along a side wall.  I asked someone whether I could light a candle in memory of a friend, and she said that candle-lighting would be a part of the Taize Prayer Service which would start in about 15 minutes. I had not even realized that services were held at the Chapel, but I decided to stay. 

As the service opened, a woman asked that we share where we had come from to visit the Chapel.  I was surprised to hear that people from Norway, Italy, South Africa, and many other countries were present as well as those from the United States.  It was clear that many faiths were represented. 

Together, we joined in the chants and readings that made up the service.  Then, we were invited to pick up a candle, light it, and put it on the altar.  The prayerful chanting continued as every person had a chance to participate.  I marveled at this meeting of so many people from so many places, both geographically and spiritually, and their willingness to pray together.  How appropriate it seemed that I could light a candle for Laurence in this serene and sacred space!  Probably no one else there even knew Laurence, but I felt this peaceful coming together honored him in a special way.

I feel very fortunate to have experienced this international and inspirational Taize Prayer Service.  What a beautiful way to complete my trip to Sedona and to remember my beloved friend.

Note:  To learn more about the Chapel of the Holy Cross, there are many websites you can visit, such as www.sacred-destinations.com/usa/sedona-chapel-of-the-holy-cross.  It is quite interesting to read the story of the Chapel, which which was inspired and commissioned by sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude, student of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Behind and Ahead

One month later, I am still enjoying beautiful memories of my trip to Sedona.  Although Arizona was never on my "Places to Go" list until this year, I am already looking forward to going there again someday.

While on my Sedona trip, I watched very little television.  When I did watch, I thought it interesting that the programming appeared to be an hour off.  For example, something I would usually watch from 9:00-10:00 was aired from
8:00-9:00. 

"Their programs must be an hour earlier like in some states back East," I thought.  It didn't make a lot of sense to me because everything else in Arizona seemed to be on Pacific time, just like at home in Oregon.

As I was preparing to change my clocks tonight and "fall behind" an hour, I realized that Arizona does not observe daylight savings time.  Did that have something to do with the difference?  If I went back to Sedona today, would my 9:00 program actually be on at 9:00?

I've never been a big fan of daylight savings time.  I could never quite see how we were saving daylight.  But, the changing of the clocks did make me think about the fact that the practices of one place are not always the same as the practices of another place. 

While I was judging the time of Arizona's television broadcasting as being "off," Arizona was operating on the same time it always did the year around.  It was Oregon - along with most of the other states - who was"springing ahead" and "falling behind." 

So, who is ahead and who is behind?  Who is on or off?  Maybe it's just that we are where we are, and it's being in the now - my now - that counts.