Thank You, Josephine

for leaving your comment identifying the source of the quote I posted this afternoon.

Here is Josephine's comment:

Alla Bozarth-Campbell was one of the first women to be ordained priest in the Episcopal church. She was one of Philadelphia eleven: eleven women deacons ordained "underground" by a retired bishop of the church, the canons of which declare "a priest is a priest forever."
The Church National Conference laity had several times voted to accept women as priests, but the bishops continually blocked the ordinations by very slim minorities. Young male candidates for ordination were "striking," refusing ordination, until the Church at large allowed women priests. These eleven women pushed the matter from hypothesis into reality, and forced the Church to deal with it.

She penned this poem, together with various other works and writings.

Thanks again!!

Inspiration

I do not know where I found this quote - it has been in my computer files for a couple of years and I ran across it on Saturday. It is my guiding light at this time. I hope you enjoy it - if anyone knows from whence it came, please let me know.

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Pack nothing. Bring only your determination to serve and your willingness to be free. Don’t wait for the bread to rise. Take nourishment for the journey, but eat standing, be ready to move at a moment’s notice.

Do not hesitate to leave your old ways behind - fear silence and submission. Only surrender to the need of the time to love justice and walk humbly with your God.
Begin quickly, before you have time to sink back into old slavery. Set out in the dark. I will send fire to warm and encourage you. I will be with you in the fire and I will be with you in the cloud.

I will give you dreams in the desert to guide you safely home to that place you have not yet seen….I am sending you into the wilderness to make a new way and to learn my ways more deeply.

Some of you will be so changed by weathers and wanderings that even your closest friends will have to learn your features as though for the first time. Some of you will not change at all.

Some will be abandoned by your dearest loves and misunderstood by those who have known you since birth and feel abandoned by you. Some will find new friendship in unlikely faces, and old friends as faithful, and true as the pillar of God’s flame.

Sing songs as you go, and hold close together. You may at times grow confused and lose your way….touch each other and keep telling the stories. Make maps as you go, remembering the way back from before you were born.

So you will be only the first of many waves of deliverance on these desert seas. It is the first of many beginnings, your Paschaltide.

Remain true to this mystery. Pass on the whole story….Do not go back. I am with you now and I am waiting for you.

Identity Theft

That's right - this week I went online and got my free credit report and found an unscrupulous person had my social security number. Over the last 5-6 weeks they had opened 5 different credit card accounts, all with very high credit limits. The cards had not been used to a great degree - YET!

Today, a fraud prevention specialist at one of the banks told me this scenario is common - the thieves get as many accounts open as they can and slowly begin to activate them - once they are assured the cards are valid, they swoop in and start spending.

In my case, the cards were in my name (first name spelled differently)with different male first names (and my last name) as authorized users. The only thing they had was my name and social - EVERY other identifier, mother's maiden name, phone, address, email, was false. I am so fortunate, most of the time people do not know this is going on for months and months. As one bank employee said today, "by the time most people find out what is going on it is such a mess to clean up and your credit is in shambles."

Why did I get the credit report? It is so weird. I worked at home on Wednesday, late in the afternoon I flipped down the flat screen under the kitchen cabinet and turned it on. I was sitting at the center island engrossed in my work (not even aware of the TV) when all of a sudden my attention was drawn to a commercial. The commercial was get your free credit report.

For some reason, in the middle of working on a client project, I thought - "wow, it has been ages since I have done that." I stopped work, went online and downloaded my report. That's when I discovered the identity theft. Whew, angels on my shoulder I guess.

In any case, I have now put a lock on my credit report and have invested a ton of hours in talking on the phone. If you haven't looked at your credit report lately - please do so. I have no idea how anyone got my social - but it is serious and they are without a conscience.

Happy Mother's Day

Mommy, I send my love and kisses across the miles on Mother's Day. I send my two beautiful daughters-in-law the deepest love and respect. How fortunate I am that you are the mothers of our beloved grandchildren, the wives of our sons and daughters of my heart.

To all my friends and loved ones - Happy Mothers' Day - the most joyful, stressful, difficult, rewarding role - Mom, Mommy, Mama, Mother -- what a privilege.

Love across the miles to each of you.

Life Transitions

I see a new path emerging before me - it is just ahead and yet still out of focus. Since January, I have been working on being in the moment in my meditations, bodywork and other spiritual practices. In the moment, in the moment - and then this siren song of something just ahead.

Things are different after one turns 60 - at least it is for me. I want more time. I want to spend a month in California with my mother. I want to see my grandchildren more often. I want to spend a month in Seattle. I want to get up in the morning and have coffee on the deck. I want to spend more time with my art, my writing and creative pursuits. I want time. This does not mean I want to stop working all together. It does mean that I want to stop working full-time - at least for a stretch of time. A sabbatical.

I have all my classes/retreats scheduled at the Center for Loss and Life Transition. If all goes as planned, I will earn my Grief Counseling Certification in June 2009, opening new doors and new professional pursuits. I want time in the mix of these changes and new experiences. I must remind myself to take a step at a time - a moment at a time - a breath at a time.

May Day

Good Morning - just a brief check-in before leaving to facilitate a meeting in Minneapolis. My best friend left Monday afternoon - we had a memorable time. Since she departed, I have been busy catching up at work. Hope everyone is doing well - more to come.

A Busy Spring Weekend

YES - that's right - spring is springing here in Minnesota. I worked in the yard most of the day today - cleaning out flower beds, bagging old leaves and mulch, sweeping, raking and PLANTING PANSIES!! Pots and pots of pansies. So far there little peeps of chives and other early green things poking from the soil - no tulips or daffodils yet - but green and sunny and warm. Finally.

My best friend J is arriving on Tuesday night - oh happy day. We are going to have a wonderful time. Next Wednesday is the two year anniversary of my quitting smoking - TWO YEARS, can you believe it!! We have big plans - manicures, pedicures, walks, lunches, and a fabulous girls' brunch and spa day at my house next Saturday - eight or nine of us getting together to eat, laugh, drink mimosas, and just catch up. Deb will arrive in the afternoon and set up the massage table downstairs - people can take their turn throughout the afternoon as they choose.

I will be off work Wednesday through Monday when J departs for her home in Jacksonville. Oh fun - oh how I need this time to be with the sister of heart. Many interesting and fun things ahead.

Happy Sunday

Spring in Minnesota this year, let's see. In the last five days we have had rain, sleet, ice storm, snivel, thunder, lightening, snow, high winds and more snow. Today the sun made an appearance and it was nearly 50* - ah, spring is right around here somewhere.

I have had a lovely weekend. I did lots of little chores that needed doing, talked to several friends on the phone, had my friend S over for a little wine and appetizer/girl talk after work on Friday night. Today has been quiet and lovely - reading, doing a little work, paying my bills, walking outside in my yard, working out with my weights and exercise ball. Very nice.

Back on the planet - so happy that you are all in my life - thanks for your warm thoughts and care across the miles. My blogger buddies - so precious.

Just a Little Time

I have been in a bit of funk - processing some grief and life transition stuff. There is much ahead - wanted you all to know that I am around and will post again soon.

A Living Legacy

Here are a few of the photos I took of the beautiful retreat center in the woods, where I trained last week. It is more than 5,000 feet in the foothills above Fort Collins. Serene and timeless - extremely conducive to learning and growing into the future.

The training was amazing - it was titled, Comprehensive Bereavement Skills Training and comprehensive it was. The creator of this model of "companioning the bereaved" is Dr. Alan Wolfelt, an amazing teacher. Alan and his staff, Kathy and Kerri, welcome each person with open hearted goodness and unending hospitality.

The week of training is the first of five week-long sessions that I plan to attend over the next 12 to 15 months. At the end of five sessions, participants earn a certificate in grief counseling from Colorado State University. I am inspired to do this - it feels as though all I have done in my professional life has led me to this place. I can see the future - this is the legacy of my grief journey.

The majority of participants were social workers, registered nurses, therapists, hospice workers and other professionals already working in the field. One of the important parts of the learning is Alan models the companioning method constantly throughout the training. We all talked about our various losses and our individual grief journeys. It was very emotional at times. I made many new friends last week - people that I will stay connected to and perhaps even see at subsequent trainings.

As I look to the future - I see a new path. Amazing.

I also have been struggling since my return. Missing my darling once again - I suppose it stems from talking about him so much during the retreat. Yet, here I am turning into the wind. The next steps beckon - I have much on my heart and I am excited about a new direction. Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps to a new future. Namaste.

Quick Check-In

This retreat truly is a retreat. I have been off my cell phone and computer all week, which has been a curious and welcome respite. I am just taking a minute this morning to drop by and say I am thinking of you all. BTW, the retreat and the learning has exceeded all expectations. I will have time over the weekend to catch up with everyone and share my pictures and experiences. Take care.

On My Way to Colorado

My destination tomorrow, Fort Collins, Colorado. I am going to a week-long training at the Center for Loss and Life Transition. It is in a beautiful retreat center just outside Fort Collins - more than 5,000 feet in the mountains. I am taking the first in a series of trainings, this section is "Beginning Bereavement Skills." If I like it, there are other week-long seminars that can lead to a certificate in grief counseling.

I have been looking forward to this week since December when I enrolled. The model the Center for Loss uses is called, "companioning" - it is both for grief and hospice workers. The approach appears to match my core values in so many areas. It is the next step on my journey.

I hope you all have a blessed holiday - Easter, the time of rebirth and renewal. I will be taking pictures and posting while away. I will be back in Minnesota next Friday night.

PS I had a wonderful time in Seattle and will be sharing some of unfoldings in future posts.

Spring in Seattle

The entire rim of the Pike Place Market roof was ringed with daffodils. The first spring peas were in the market - we lightly steamed them to accompany an herb rubbed boneless lamb roast.

Spring in Seattle - tiny white flowers on the shrub outside the back door - so nice to be with my friend.

On My Way Home

What a lovely visit. I have taken a bunch of pictures but have not even downloaded them. I will post some photos after I return. The weather has been beautiful - no rain and over 50 degrees every day. We went to the Pike Place Market, walked along Lake Washington, cooked scrumptious meals, had nice wine to complement the food, watched movies, cuddled and had great time. Spring is definitely breaking out here in Seattle. I needed this break.

I will be back in Minnesota very late tonight. More to come.

So many things

Good Morning - my training this weekend was terrific. An eight hour training day on Saturday felt like it was an hour long - even with good breaks and an hour for lunch. It was amazing to be with a group of 40+ people and be able to talk about the sacred - to talk about the Circle in the spiritual as well as the practical sense.

One thing I learned is circle practice is an ever-expanding area in which to learn and grow - in other words, I will be a life-long student of the Circle. Now I want to go to Whidbey Island to take the five day Circle Practicum - one of these days. One thing I know for sure, the circle practice has a role to play in the emerging grief project - the passion of my heart and soul.

I am leaving town today - I finally have given up. This winter has been a long and cold affair. I am going to Seattle for a visit until next Monday night. It is supposed to rain while I am there but it is in the mid to high 50's. Sounds downright tropical.

It was 4* above zero this morning in my backyard and the forecast for tonight is 5* below zero.

Seattle here I come.