The blessing and beauty of inconvenience

January 19, 2012

Hi, all!

Yesterday and today I stayed at home because the roads are too slick to travel. It's cozy at home, with plenty to do and no need to rush. Sometimes we have to be forced to slow down, and when we do, we find that life at a slower pace is rich and good. I've been able to catch up on some reading, do some painting, and work from home.

This morning I saw my neighbor and his grandchildren sledding down the hill next to our house, so I went out and joined them. I'd forgotten how much fun it is to skim over the ground with the snow flying past your face!

When I went out for a walk this afternoon, very few cars were out. The usual drone of traffic in the air was silenced, and the hush of the snow was magical. It was so quiet in Tracyton, all I could hear was the sound of children playing in the snow. Too bad it's not like this more often!

Sitting in a snug home on a snowy day makes me grateful for the basics of life: a warm, dry home that shields us from the elements; emergency personnel who brave the cold to keep us safe; the availability of food and fuel; the blessing of family and friends. Simple things.

I hope the snow hasn't been too much of an inconvenience for you, and I hope you can find beauty and blessing even in this inclement weather.

Bill    

Emerging from Christmas

January 13, 2012

Hi, all!

Yesterday I finally mailed the last of the Christmas letter we usually send to our far-flung family and friends. And even though Epiphany has blown by us, we still haven't taken our Christmas tree down. 

   

The Christmas season seems to wrap me up in a big wind and send me hurling headlong through the days. Now, finally, I think I'm emerging from the frenzy of Christmas, at least enough to think about writing Hello from the Vicar!

When I was first ordained a priest and our sons were little, I felt I had to do my part to help Katy make a special celebration at home, plus I felt the pressure of celebrating two Christmas eve services at church. Now that our boys are grown, it's much easier. But I still find Christmas to be exhausting.

This year after Christmas, our family went to La Push, a small Native American village on the Olympic Coast, for a couple of days of rest and relaxation. We hiked the beaches, went to a Native American Dance and healing circle, and I painted some watercolors. It was a very relaxing time for me. And now that Epiphany is over, I feel I'm fully engaged for the new year.

I hope that you had a good Christmas celebration, too, and that the New Year is finding you in productive and healthy endeavors.

Bill