You may have noticed that 11:59 on the last day of the month has come and gone without a newsletter appearing in your mail box. The last week of September I was on retreat in Seattle and then helping with a retreat in Alaska. I could have spent my silent retreat working on a newsletter. I didn't.
Instead, I effectively shut the door on my various responsibilities. On the last quiet day, I relaxed with my morning coffee, enjoying the view of Puget Sound, when I heard a snarling and scrabbling--responsibility monsters scratching at that closed door. My mind drifted toward them. Lions and tigers and bears. I didn't much want to open the door. For a frozen moment I propped a mental foot against it, seeing paws and snouts pushing through the widening crack. Finally I gave up and opened the door. In they bounded--a miniature woolly mammoth, pink panther, ever-ready bunny--joyfully bouncing and buzzing around like overgrown puppies: "There you are. We missed you. Walk? Walk? Is it time for a walk?"
I looked upon them with amused affection and was reminded of an image from CS Lewis's Great Divorce--a wonderful story of a busload of people from hell who decide to go check out heaven. In the story a beautiful woman walks over the hills of heaven to greet the visitors. All the animals she's loved and cared for are with her, gamboling at her feet. Is it possible to walk like that with our many responsibilities? To walk with a free and open heart, letting the beasts travel with us like beloved pets sniffing around the trails?
Alaska was gorgeous. Miles and miles of green and gold trees surrounded by craggy peaks topped with snow. Big sky, big mountains. Awesome.
"See how nature -- trees, flowers, grass -- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. . . . We need silence to be able to touch souls." - Mother Teresa
DON'T FORGET our 12 year celebration on Friday evening, October 19, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Aptos Academy Auditorium. This Literary and Ministerial Extravaganza will include readings and music from local talent including Steven and Carolyn Crocker, Dave Empey, Teresa Mendoza, Gary and Mariposa Nyblock, Debra Spencer, Jeff and Paula Towle, Susan White Rose and possibly an urchin or two. Tables around the perimeter of the auditorium will highlight various ministries of friends including Local Authors, Women of Vision, Order of St. Luke, Healing Rooms, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Toastmasters, Kairos Prison Ministry. Email me right away if you would like some table space too. Tickets are $5 in advance and Free at the door. Donations of raffle items or finger food yummies are also very welcome.
I dearly wish that all you long distance friends and sponsors could be there. Please know that you are present in our hearts. Thank you for your friendship and support.
For more info and a sneak preview of my soon-to-be-released book cover, see our website: companyofsaints.com
"What is reading, but silent conversation." -Walter Savage Landor
Blessings,
Alliee +
PS Yes, we still have books. Hundreds of books. Thousands of books. Millions and billions and trillions of books. Next month we may even resume talking about them.