On the road again--spring is almost over so we are deep into vacation planning. The first trip will be at the end of June. We will spend 5 days in Madison County, NC, with Habitat for Humanity, and then head "West" into to Tennessee and Kentucky. More to come on that trip.
But we have also scheduled a trip out to Cripple Creek to see Missie and Jeff and add some more Colorado country to our list of places we have seen before we died.
This time we are heading up to see more mining country and taking in Leadville, Aspen, and Glenwood. We just finished our reservations for lodgings, and this trip will be a mix of unique places.
In the Creek, we will be staying at the Hospitality House, the former county hospital. At the moment, Missie has us slated for the Operating Room. I hope the ghosts of patients lost don't keep us up. In Leadville, we will be at a small chain hotel for variety. In Aspen we will be in the downtown, near the ski lift, where we got Summer rates. Then it is on to Glenwood Springs. We will be staying at a B&B outside town: http://www.fourmilecreek.com/
Then it is back to "The Creek" to celebrate my birthday and head home in time to start teaming for Md. 98.
In the meantime we'll just go around whistling Going up Cripple Creek.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Reaching Back
May 1st is the date I use for marking my cancer survival. The doctor uses Dec. 20, but for those of us who have been through the journey. Surgery is the marker.
When I was diagnosed with BC, numerous women reached back to help me make the journey. MaryAnn Romano, Blanch LaCroix, and Betty Tussing were stalwarts. They taught much about questioning, living, and laughing.
When I was past my treatments, I too reached back to help others starting the journey. One of the most special women was Arleen Bryan. We wrote to each other as sisters, because indeed her sister Jo is my sister. I only met Arleen once in person. We had a fabulous day on a NC mountain top. The last thing Arleen said to me was "We're going to make it." Unfortunately Arleen did not make it. But we shared a bond that goes deeper than just fellow travelers; we were sisters and we strengthened each other.
Over the years, I have reached back to numerous women; most without names. We could share our fears, our frustrations, our tears, and our unflagging hope.
I am now 17 years out, and my reaching back has changed. I did not have the same treatments that women today are getting. My treatment almost killed me and it has left my immune system impaired [not debilitatingly so, just annoyingly so].
But cancer patients still lose their hair, they still throw up, and they still get treatments canceled. So not all our ties are gone. They still fear, question, and hope.
I have discovered that I am now an "inspiration", not because I am a super hero, but because I am 17 years out. And to someone who is worrying if she will make it one year or five years out, 17 years is a beacon. Although I never take a day for granted, I have become a bit blase about being a long-termer. God has given me a new way to reach back.
I hate welcoming women to the sisterhood of BC, but it is a strong sisterhood filled with many women who reach back. I am honored to be part of that long chain of love.
When I was diagnosed with BC, numerous women reached back to help me make the journey. MaryAnn Romano, Blanch LaCroix, and Betty Tussing were stalwarts. They taught much about questioning, living, and laughing.
When I was past my treatments, I too reached back to help others starting the journey. One of the most special women was Arleen Bryan. We wrote to each other as sisters, because indeed her sister Jo is my sister. I only met Arleen once in person. We had a fabulous day on a NC mountain top. The last thing Arleen said to me was "We're going to make it." Unfortunately Arleen did not make it. But we shared a bond that goes deeper than just fellow travelers; we were sisters and we strengthened each other.
Over the years, I have reached back to numerous women; most without names. We could share our fears, our frustrations, our tears, and our unflagging hope.
I am now 17 years out, and my reaching back has changed. I did not have the same treatments that women today are getting. My treatment almost killed me and it has left my immune system impaired [not debilitatingly so, just annoyingly so].
But cancer patients still lose their hair, they still throw up, and they still get treatments canceled. So not all our ties are gone. They still fear, question, and hope.
I have discovered that I am now an "inspiration", not because I am a super hero, but because I am 17 years out. And to someone who is worrying if she will make it one year or five years out, 17 years is a beacon. Although I never take a day for granted, I have become a bit blase about being a long-termer. God has given me a new way to reach back.
I hate welcoming women to the sisterhood of BC, but it is a strong sisterhood filled with many women who reach back. I am honored to be part of that long chain of love.
Older Generation
">Reflections on Leaving Burbank, CA, April 8, 2009
On further reflection, this older generation thing has lots of consequences.
I regularly find myself wanting to ask Mom and Dad questions that only they could answer. If I don't make an effort to tell more stories and record more stories, Jack's generation will not know them and will not have a way to ask about them.
Andrew made a point to ask me lots of questions about my growing up. I am his connection to the 50s and 60s, and stuff that I took for granted [and still do] is history for him.
What kind of wisdom do I want to pass on to my children and grandchildren? For I have realized that I am wise in many ways.
How can I pass my faith on to my children and grandchildren? How can I help them to understand and choose to walk in faith and love depending on our saviour Jesus Christ? Just taking them to church and Sunday School is/was not enough.
Much to pray and think about. For I am the older generation now.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Praying with the Book of Common Prayer
Lenten Program March 18, 2009
Praying with the Book of Common Prayer
Our inheritance of common prayer
When the disciples came to Jesus begging him that he would teach them to pray, he gave them not twelve several forms, though James’s special needs differed from John’s and Simon’s from Jude’s—he gave them not twelve but one. “When ye pray” was his answer, “say Our Father.” That was the beginning of Christian Common Prayer. Because we are men, we worship; because we are fellow-men, our worship must have form.
—William Reed Huntington
A Short History of the Book of Common Prayer 1549–1892
Various renditions over the years:
From the beginning, the Book of Common Prayer has begun with Morning and Evening Prayer. These were intended for daily use.
I think that this is a statement of the place of prayer in people’s day to day lives. These prayers were to be in the common language, i.e., accessible to all.
In the earliest versions of the prayer book, prayers were imbedded in the various services and rites and most of the collects appeared as part of the “INTROITES, COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS…”. The first American Book of 1789 listed prayers and thanksgivings in the table of contents. This tradition continued as part of the American prayer books. In the 1928 Prayer book, a section of Prayers and Thanksgivings followed Evening Prayer, and prayers for families followed the Catechism near the end of the book. The 1979 Book of Common Prayer included additional prayers for use in the services and by individuals and put them in one place—following the Psalms on page 810—with references to other prayers in the book.
A couple of my favorite prayers—found through wonderful serendipity
A General Thanksgiving
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care that surrounds us on every side.
We thank you for setting us at tasks that demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments that satisfy and delight us.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.
p. 836, BCP
The Rev. Dr. Charles P. Price
Prayers for use by a sick person
In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord, I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen
p. 461, BCP
The Reverend Dr. Theodore Parker Ferris
From Evening Prayer and Compline
A Collect for the Presence of Christ
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen
Pp. 70 and 123, BCP
From Roman breviary of Paul VI
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
Pp. 124 and 134, BCP
From the writings of Saint Augustine of Hippo
63. In the Evening
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
p. 833
Based on a passage of a sermon by John Henry Newman; found or composed by the Rev. George W. Douglas, c.1876
Praying with the Book of Common Prayer
Our inheritance of common prayer
When the disciples came to Jesus begging him that he would teach them to pray, he gave them not twelve several forms, though James’s special needs differed from John’s and Simon’s from Jude’s—he gave them not twelve but one. “When ye pray” was his answer, “say Our Father.” That was the beginning of Christian Common Prayer. Because we are men, we worship; because we are fellow-men, our worship must have form.
—William Reed Huntington
A Short History of the Book of Common Prayer 1549–1892
Various renditions over the years:
From the beginning, the Book of Common Prayer has begun with Morning and Evening Prayer. These were intended for daily use.
I think that this is a statement of the place of prayer in people’s day to day lives. These prayers were to be in the common language, i.e., accessible to all.
In the earliest versions of the prayer book, prayers were imbedded in the various services and rites and most of the collects appeared as part of the “INTROITES, COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS…”. The first American Book of 1789 listed prayers and thanksgivings in the table of contents. This tradition continued as part of the American prayer books. In the 1928 Prayer book, a section of Prayers and Thanksgivings followed Evening Prayer, and prayers for families followed the Catechism near the end of the book. The 1979 Book of Common Prayer included additional prayers for use in the services and by individuals and put them in one place—following the Psalms on page 810—with references to other prayers in the book.
A couple of my favorite prayers—found through wonderful serendipity
A General Thanksgiving
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care that surrounds us on every side.
We thank you for setting us at tasks that demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments that satisfy and delight us.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.
p. 836, BCP
The Rev. Dr. Charles P. Price
Prayers for use by a sick person
In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord, I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen
p. 461, BCP
The Reverend Dr. Theodore Parker Ferris
From Evening Prayer and Compline
A Collect for the Presence of Christ
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen
Pp. 70 and 123, BCP
From Roman breviary of Paul VI
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
Pp. 124 and 134, BCP
From the writings of Saint Augustine of Hippo
63. In the Evening
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
p. 833
Based on a passage of a sermon by John Henry Newman; found or composed by the Rev. George W. Douglas, c.1876
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