Reflections

This week at All Souls Church, there was a short reflection on the sermon, Gift, Grace, and Letting Go. in which the speaker talked about the change of seasons, and how just as the leaves fall from trees, so to must we let go of that which has served its purpose.  The sentiment hit home, deep within my core, and I immediately embraced it.  Now, perhaps Hiking Viking or Vegitect might understand its resonance, and internalize it with some bittersweet sentiment.  And if so, he would be right to be so self-centered, I did go there...With the falling of the leaves...

But also, it is a metaphor for so much - almost every thing in our lives which has served its value and given its gift must be surrendered to realize its full grace.

Tonight, I had drinks with M, my colleague from work whom I've written about here before.  M is my colleague, my friend, and warm, loved, character from my dreams underwritten by a score of sexual tension.  M is in his last week at the office before he begins his new job at a private investment fund.

His departure has truly shaken me.  Since he started with us almost four years ago, M has transformed our little non-profit, loosey-goosey shop to a serious operation.  Mostly through his talents for accounting, budgets, systems, and operations, he built a framework for planning, policies, and finance.  It was always good knowing that M was around - he inspired my trust and my confidence, and that was always a relief.  He unburdoned so much, and that was truly a gift.  But he gave many others.

He brought me pickles :-)

The very sweet and attentive Hiking Viking remembered a conversation we had about Things French, my love of good food, and petit American pickles being too sweet to qualify as the French ones.  So he bought me some cornichons!!  Awwww...

To Hiking Viking (what I think of this right now)

When we were talking last night, I said that you must have really “needed this,” and I meant that in a good way. And what I failed to say, is that I also “needed this” – a wonderful person to whom to give my abundant love and affection and to be loved and appreciated back (“beloved”). (I trust you can accept my use of the word “love” in a broad and beautiful sense). The fact that I/we *needed* this does not discount my wonderful and genuine appreciation of you, desire to spend time with you, reveling in your attention and affection (and giving mine to you), and enjoying your very good soul at this moment in my life (and yours).

I've been blogged!

The Hiking Viking has blogged about me. It seems I am referred to as the Globetrotter. Nice. :-)