A long way to go

As I went for my weekly long(er) run, I felt an urge to go past the lakefront path and to the lake itself, where I was rewarded with a beautiful view of downtown:

That's a long way to go. And it's not that it was going to be a longer run than usual...I just hadn't seen the view from there before - truthfully, it looked daunting. Nevertheless, I put one foot in front of the other and made my way south, downtown growing ever larger in my field of vision. Amazingly, I got pretty close - something that seemed not as likely as when I first stood looking at the scene captured in the picture above.

And it got me thinking. That's what 2020 has seemed like too - as we experienced the start of the pandemic in our country and more immediate cities, the end/cure/vaccine seemed so, almost impossibly, far away. But now, nine months later, we're closer to a vaccine, to "normal" than we've ever been. While patience and hope are still required, the efforts taken by everyone but most especially our healthcare professionals, fire/police, teachers/schools have not been in vain. If this were a race, it would be the time when it's most daunting and challenging to keep going...until the runner thinks of the DNF that would go next to his/her name. The last push to the finish is always the hardest, as it requires you to dig deep and really kick it into gear, giving it your all, even if you feel you have nothing left.

So, as we go into another holiday separated, at least for many of my own friends and families, from those we hold most dear, we need to hold fast to hope that, God willing, we will be together in the future. And, while it's painful now, the time with loved ones when we are able to gather in the future will not and cannot be taken for granted. Every gathering will be revealed as the gift it is.

As 2020 draws to its end, I wish you joy and peace for the new year ahead and added love for times when you are feeling lonely or disheartened. This year since March has truly sucked - and it's ok and important to acknowledge that. In fact, I think my annual Christmas letter (well, this is the musical part of my Christmas letter) sums up my experiences and feelings of this pretty well, at least to some degree. (I sometimes process my experiences in unusual ways, so I'm grateful to friends and family who were supportive in putting up with my letters each year.)

Take care everyone. And keep running the race - it's been a long one, but we have the end in sight.

Wrapping up the Poem A Day Challenge with #30

It's hard to see progress with such baby steps, but when you stop and look back over the period of time you worked on XYZ, it becomes much clearer.

Today, April 30, marks the final day of my "Poem A Day" Challenge, which I started on April 1. I have compiled all of the poems and their respective audio recordings HERE. While I will be glad to take a break from poetry, it's been an interesting exercise in just letting thoughts spill out onto the paper however the Spirit moved me on a given day. I guess I'll give myself a bit of a break and then find a new creative challenge... Hmmm...

I feel like there's a bit more pressure to end on a strong poem, but the funny thing about poetry is that it speaks so differently to each individual reader; what one loves deeply may not touch another person's heart in nearly the same way or at all. Well, anyways, here is today's poem (even though it reads more like a prayer or litany); it's the final one of this collection/challenge.


"We Pray to the Lord"
Poem of the Day - 4/30/20
Audio Available HERE

For the sick and the dying...
For those struggling to make ends meet...
For postal carriers and grocery clerks...
For teachers doing what they can to help their students adjust and learn...
For all healthcare workers on the front lines...
For those without visitors, family, or someone to check in...
For priests and religious leaders who continue to minister and guide their flocks...
For those who have been laid off from their jobs...
For hope in our world in this time of darkness...

Hear our prayers, O Lord
Lift our hearts, O Lord
Give us strength, O Lord
For it is you we trust

Spring Has Sprung, An Alliterative Poem for 4/14/20

"Spring Has Sprung"
Poem of the Day - 4/14/20
Audio Version of Today's Poem

Sun smiling
Chicks chirping
Breeze blowing
Clouds clumping
Laughter lifting

Spring has sprung

Here I Am - 4/13/20

"Here I Am"
Poem of the Day - 4/13/20
Audio Version of Today's Poem

Looking for the right words
To comfort
To heal
To offer hope

But words are not enough
When what we need is the ability
To visit
To serve
To embrace

We try our best to stay connected
Via Zoom
Via FaceTime
Via Skype

But we are a social species, drawn
To touch
To presence
To true interaction

I tell myself I should use this time
For new and favorite hobbies
For working on my abs
For a silent retreat

But the excuses keep coming -
I'm not sure where to start
I'm too tired
I'm too lazy

But, if not now, when?
Procrastination returns
Again
And again
And again

So here I am...writing poetry

Holy Week, An Acrostic (4/6/20)

"Holy Week, An Acrostic"
Poem of the Day - 4/6/20
Audio Version of Today's Poem

He died to save us from sin
Our eyes are fixed on the cross
Lent comes slowly to an end
Yes, Lord, we trust in You

Who can love us more than you?
Everything I believe is right here, right now
Eternal life is your promise to the world
Keep us safe, O Lord

2020 - What's the Word?

Over the break, a colleague forwarded me a newsletter with various resources from Jon Gordon, a famous author and motivational speaker. One of his big things for the past several years has been to encourage people to stay away from New Year's Resolutions (which, he claims, 80+% of people break by the end of January) and instead follow a three step process to choose one word.

Now, I'd heard about "One Word" before, most recently on the Abiding Together podcast, and I thought, how sweet but how can that possibly make a difference in someone's life? Though I was doubtful, I ended up buying Jon Gordon's book (which is a quick read - by the indication in the book it takes 49 minutes cover to cover) and also the kid version to see what it was all about.

I followed the process, which included time for silence and prayer, and one word came to me right away. I pushed it aside, as I didn't want to rush into it, even though it felt right, and tried many other words in my head and heart. Still, I kept coming back to my word - trust. I am working on trusting God with various aspects of my life (including my job, relationships, etc.), and I am working on trusting others, including my students, in so much as believing they are doing what they are supposed to be doing at any given time. And, of course, I must always work on trusting myself.

And so, that has become my 2020 word of the year/"one word."

And, do you know what? I had a crazy teaching schedule this week, where I only saw my 7th grade religion class (which is the only class I teach) two times. So, instead of jumping into new content, I created (and borrowed) some activities and models to guide my students through the process of choosing their own "One Word" for 2020. While Tuesday's class was rough (as it was their first day back after break), they (well, at least most of them) fully engaged in the process and took it seriously. Some of their words were confident/confidence, sacrifice, try, effort, adventure, joy, and positivity. I was amazed! This upcoming week I am giving them time to find and/or create visuals they can hang in their rooms or put as iPad backgrounds to remind them of their "One Word" over the course of the year. We'll see what they come up with.

Maybe you want to give "One Word" a try - go ahead; it's simple. Then, you just need to remind yourself of it on a regular basis. (Mine is my phone background.) I hope if you do try it that it works out in guiding you and pushing you to live it out this year.

Yes, 2020 is off and running. There always seems to be plenty to do and plenty of friends to catch up with. Since being back from visiting my family over the holidays, I've spent time with friends in Milwaukee (for NYE and New Years), the Art Institute (thank goodness for membership), local establishments for meals, and folk's condos/apartments just hanging out.

Haven't seen any shows in 2020 yet, but there will be a few rapid fire ones in the coming weeks, which makes me pretty excited. I don't think it's possible (nor should I feel the need) to see more shows in 2020 than 2019. That was one for the books. (I also read a lot of books last year, but that's another story...)

One last thing - as some of you may know, I spent 2019 with the resolve to buy no new clothes (aside from underwear and socks) the whole year...and I made it! I also gave away bags of stuff to St. Vincent de Paul (special shoutout to my sister for carting those away for me). Since the new year, though, I have broken down and bought a few new items; though, I think I am much more prudent now, really thinking if I truly want or need something (e.g. a new pair of jeans) before purchasing. I hope to not buy too many new items this year; otherwise, I don't think I really learned my lesson, did I?

I hope you have a wonderful start to the 2020 year!