"... in the end is harvest."

Love is not changed by death and nothing is lost, and all in the end is harvest' - Julian of Norwich

I saw this quote today leafing through what I, as a Catholic, would call the mistlette sitting in a pew at the Temple Beth Shalom.

I was attending the funeral service of a colleague of my husbands. I didn't know Steve much at all. I met him on only a handful of occasions in the 2 short years that I have had a connection with Salem Oregon.
Yet somehow I knew I needed to be at this service to say good bye.

Odd thing is this is also the 1 year anniversary of Elizabeth Stratton's death.

Unlike Steve, I did know Lizzie.
I experienced firsthand the impact and influence she had on so many people during her short life, including my own life. I sat listening to Steve's family and friends speak of him realizing he, too, had great impact and influence on many lives.

Two very different people.
One female, one male
One young, one older.
One Catholic, one Jewish.
One single, young, woman, the other, married, family man.

Two different people, yet so similar in the feelings left behind shared by loved ones who are struggling with the loss.

I can't help but think of what I read...

Love is not changed by death and nothing is lost, and all in the end is harvest'

I wonder what Lizzie's parents would say about this quote a year later, or what Kathy would say about this so soon after losing her husband.

But never the less it is stuck in my mind as I wonder what I myself would share about this quote.

I think back to loved ones I have lost and am thankful it is a short list; Grandparents, George, aunt Betty, friends of my children... I have been blessed to have not experienced the loss of a child, spouse, or parent. At lease not yet.

But of this I am certain of...
The one thing we all have in common in this life and on this earth is death.

Attending the funeral of another, hearing the sentiments shared, makes me wonder how I would handle the death of a loved one in my immediate family. It also makes me wonder what others will say of me when I am gone.

Will there be anyone there to attend my funeral?
Will anyone say anything nice about how I lived my life?
More importantly will any of my children have a kind word for me?

I don't think of myself as a morbid person.
It isn't that I dwell on death, funerals, or the like.
But I see days like this as opportunites for me to reevaluate my priorities.
It gives me a chance to ask myself if I am living each day as if it were my last. It makes me think about what is most important. Am I making a difference in the world?
Or at least...
Am I making a difference in my small part of the world.

All I can say is, "I am trying."

And I hope in the end, there is a harvest of love and grace for those I leave behind

Burley to Omaha

This time last week I was leaving Burley Idaho.
There isn’t much to see in Burley except for a beautiful sunrise.
This morning I find myself in Omaha Nebraska.
There isn’t much to see here either except for another beautiful sunrise.
However between Burley last Tuesday
and Omaha this Tuesday there has been much to see.


I saw my grandson take some of his first steps,
My oldest daughter playfully parent her first child,
My son-in-law adjust to his crazy in-laws.

I marveled at how our oldest three children have come together to enjoy each other’s company.When they were teens I could only pray that someday they would be able to sit at a Holiday meal and be tolerant of one another. But as adults they have become more than family, they are also friends.


I was able to reconnect with old friends, celebrate a birthday, and visit with former co-workers. There was time for worship and communion in a place we feel comfortable and at home.

And there was time for good brews and many ‘cheers’.

In 8 hours or so I’ll be back in Salem.

There is much to see there; mountains, oceans, streams, and valleys.
But I most look forward to seeing the kids we’ve left behind the past week.
I am certain there is homework undone, laundry to do, groceries to purchase, and probably most importantly costumes to plan and create.
Halloween is just around the corner.

All things considered in between Burley and Omaha
It was a great Fall Break.

Beverly Beach

It was a beautiful weekend at the coast.
Beach combing,
Whale watching,
Award winning Micro-breweries,
Good food,
Great conversation,
Catching up with family.

It is hard to top a weekend like that.

But next week I will.

In fact, I will top this weekend hands down!

I am heading to Nebraska for
Wide open sunsets,
Award winning Micro-breweries,
Good Food,
Great conversation,
Catching up with family,
Our Adult kids & grandson!

Life doesn't get much better.

Seasons

Change,
Transition,
Passing over,
Conversion.

The past two years I seem to always be living in a state of change, a time of transition, a passing over into a new place, even conversion.

I think I am getting used to it.

But it doesn't make it any easier to adjust.

The latest change and transition is watching Gretchen leave for Thailand. Just saying Thailand makes it seem so far away. It feels like such a long ways from anywhere I have ever known.

Today was Gretchen's last day. I wasn't at work today so our good-byes were said yesterday. That wasn't easy either.

I only met Gretchen last February when she began her Americorps VISTA term with the same Habitat affiliate where I am serving.

And now she is gone.

I haven't had many friends since moving here. It's beginning to feel as though as soon as I get to know someone they move on to new places.

Yet, I feel excitement for Gretchen. She is off to a new adventure, an entirely different place with wonderful experiences ahead of her. I wish her only the best on her life journey and I hope our paths cross again someday.

I will miss her greatly.

Here's to you Gretchen!

Jared and the 1074th are back!

Jared Pettit and the 1074th from Nebraska are back from Iraq!


I thank God that Jared and Adam made it back to U.S. soil and am anxious for them to make it home to their families in Nebraska.

It has been too long!
Sadly not all the young men who left with the 1074th are coming home. And some are coming home with injuries.

The kids and I continue to pray for the safe keeping and return of all our service people fighting overseas.