8:23 AM Saturday, March 14

After the gradient of greys and dark moody greens of Point Pleasant… After the Market… with a flat white, a plain croissant, and gratitude.  Oh, and two loaves of sourdough. Caffeine, carbs, and gratitude… Went to Laughing Whale and was greeted with “Our first customer and it’s YOU!”  A smile and small conversation at La Vendenne as I picked up a croissant and then a chat about re-heating techniques at the table of sourdough goodness.  I took myself and my wares to a table to await Bonnie, whom I had encountered along the way.  She and I were into our conversation when Susan and Michael stopped by for a hug and a handshake.  Bonnie asked the story of how I’d come to know them—which made me smile in the telling.  When I got into the car, having offered a hearty “Spring IS coming! It’ll be okay…” to the woman wearing a windswept pained  and squinty expression while getting out right next to me, I couldn’t but think—I am so fortunate.  Fortunate to know so many good people…good people who have Good in the open keep of their spirit and share from it lavishly.  Fortunate to know safety and shelter; fortunate to have purpose that grows and changes, calls, beckons, surprises and nourishes; fortunate to know love in a variety of guises.

Guises that do not conceal…but rather reveal…Guises that each cling differently to the contours of love…highlighting nuances otherwise perhaps not noticed.  And the result of that…huh…the result is Gift.  Greater knowing…greater feeling or consciousness…in total, greater awareness of You, living, moving, and having being in this world…always and everywhere, inseparable, unable to be apart from… And That is what is within my own warm keep of mind, heart, and being this morning. May I live from these stores today and always…with grace and generosity.

Amen.