Thanks, I think
How do I do this?
I am overloaded with disappointment, hurt, frustration, anger and plenty of WTF these days. I am cautious about doing any type of “thanks” list this year. It can too easily become expected platitudes, cheesy, derivative or something I “should” do. But it’s November so, here goes.
I’m “thankful…”
connected to the election and this moment
(let’s pull off the Band-Aid) to the U. S. of A. for showing it is 1) not the greatest nation in the history of the world, 2) not a city on a hill, 3) not something other than our recent politics would indicate. We are another messy collection of people and practices (someone might say a “shithole”) racing toward a greedy, fear-filled, power-hungry, selfish future
that the coming political shitshow will reveal its own hollowness
that I live in the Pacific Northwest, (something of) a sanctuary in the storm
that there is an ever-present (sometimes hidden) community who will not give into the vacuous practices of self-centered fear and greed, and that (admittedly) flawed humans continue to speak and work for deeper justice on practical, personal, and institutional levels
connected to 2024
that Connie and I have found our way together for fifty (plus) years and that together, by grace, we will continue forward
that we had a family reunion for the ages this past summer
that 40 years after leaving the Firs I had the opportunity to be interim executive director at Tall Timber, I love camping, and it was a joy to be back in that realm
that the Portland Diamond Project keeps pressing on, offering me hope of a World Series in the Northwest, before I leave this world
connected to my life in general
for faith/religious roots that shaped me, and for the people who encouraged me on the journey – and that with age, experience, and great support I am learning to live and express myself in a manner that reflects a broader sense of love, hope, and inclusion, no longer rooted in fear, guilt, shame, and transactional relationships
for family and friends who have stuck with me, shaping, laughing, listening, guiding, rescuing, and challenging me. I have had and continue to have deep, long-lasting relationships that are a gift. It overwhelms me to think of cherished individuals and moments shared over the years (and the hope of more moments in the future)
that I continue to discover my creative passions and actively experience and express them
for stories, books, music, concerts, traditions, rituals, theater, campgrounds, conversations, movies and television, parks, coffee (tea) shops, trails, restaurants, sports, festivals…
connected to my resolve going forward
that I have survived many personal mistakes, bad decisions, and poor choices, hurting and disappointing others, times of frustration and confusion, eras of seeming unending cultural upheaval all helping me learn much about myself and grown in resilience. This resilience will not result in capitulation, it energizes me to actively keep pressing on toward all-encompassing justice, rooted in radical love
May I see the day that justice and peace embrace and we all live together in the fullness of shalom; unending wholeness, completeness, health, safety and prosperity…
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