I would never forget this. . . .

Christianity Today has posted a philosphers' potpourri.

WHAT REALLY COUNTS in life is that at some time you have seen something, felt something, which is so great, so matchless, that everything else is nothing by comparison, that even if you forgot everything, you would never forget this.
Søren Kierkegaard, Journals and Papers

Our son's birth--the moment of silence, the first cry.

In the fine print: George Will, Peggy Noonan

From George Will's Newsweek article about his son Jon, who has Down syndrome:

Jon has Down syndrome, a chromosomal defect involving varying degrees of mental retardation and physical abnormalities. Jon lost, at the instant he was conceived, one of life's lotteries, but he also was lucky: His physical abnormalities do not impede his vitality and his retardation is not so severe that it interferes with life's essential joys--receiving love, returning it, and reading baseball box scores.

One must mind one's language when speaking of people like Jon. He does not "suffer from" Down syndrome. It is an affliction, but he is happy--as happy as the Orioles' stumbling start this season will permit. You may well say that being happy is easy now that ESPN exists. Jon would agree. But happiness is a species of talent, for which some people have superior aptitudes. (from Eternal Perspectives Ministries web site)

I once saw an interview of George Will, in which he was questioned about "the tragedy" of having a child with Down syndrome. Mr. Will replied that, "Down syndrome is not a tragedy; it's an affliction. And it's not my affliction, it's his [Jon's] affliction." That was interesting to me, as a parent.
* * * * * * *
Years ago, I read Peggy Noonan's memoir of her years as a speech writer for President Reagan. She's written several books since then, the most recent being a biography of Pope John Paul. Mary Walsh reviews the book in the recent issue of Touchstone magazine (p. 41-42). She quotes Noonan:

I always got the feeling with John Paul that if he could have narrowed down the people he met and blessed to those he loved the most, they would not be cardinals, princes, or congressmen, but nuns from obscure convents and Down syndrome children, especially the latter. Because they have suffered, and because in some serious way the love of God seems more immediately available to them.

Everyone else gets themselves tied up in ambition and ideas and bustle, all the great distractions, but the modest and unwell are often unusually open to this message: God loves us, his love is all around us, he made us to love him and be happy.

A time to plant (annuals)

Last night I stuck four Beefmaster tomato plants in the back flower bed, among the (fading) tulips, malva sylvestris, hollyhocks, blackeyed Susans, phlox, salvia, and delphinium. This is my first year for malva sylvestris. So far, they've bloomed proliferously.

I also planted trailing blue lobelia, and salmon and white petunias, in two baskets hanging over the deck. Three large flowerpots got more salmon and white petunias. The long planter has the same, plus a sweet potato vine. The deck gets sun from the south, so keeping these plants sufficiently watered for the summer will be a challenge.

Bumpersticker

"The more you know, the less you need."
-sighted on car bumper at Memorial Day Indian Pow Wow.

Poem

Attention is love, what we must give
children, mothers, fathers, pets,
our friends, the news, the woes of others.
What we want to change we curse and then
pick up a tool. Bless whatever you can
with eyes and hands and tongue. If you
can't bless it, get ready to make it new.
--Marge Piercy (from The Art of Blessing the Day)

Cemetery in spring

"He'll raise you up
On eagle's wings
Bear you on the
Breath of dawn
Make you shine
Like the sun
And hold you in
The palm of His hand"

Given in memory of a young man who passed away in his early 20's, by his family. (click to enlarge)











Lexington Cemetery

Luther Burbank quote, University of Kentucky Arboretum

Spiritual discipline: celebration

The world is filled with reasons to be downcast. But deeper than sorrow thrums the unbroken pulse of God's joy, a joy that will yet have its eternal day. To set our hearts on this joy reminds us that we can choose how we respond to any particular moment. We can search for God in all circumstances, or not. We can seek the pulse of hope and celebration because it is God's reality. Heaven is celebrating. Right now the cherubim, seraphim, angels, archangels, prophets, apostles, martyrs, and all the company of saints overflow with joy in the presence of their Creator. Every small experience of Jesus with us is a taste of the joy that is to come. We are not alone--and that in itself is reason to celebrate. Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, IVP Books, 2005, p. 27.

Hope fulfilled

Late last summer, I posted about receiving Breck's bulb catalog. (Good coupon enclosed.) I ordered a dozen flame-colored tulips. About two weeks ago, they were in full bloom. I'm posting this bouquet for Vashti, who recently underwent surgery.

* * * * * * *
See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. Matthew 6:28b-29.

High hopes

Hollyhock (Bright lights), hosta (Sum and Substance), malva sylvestris, and phlox

Simple pleasures

I was honored by a tag from Rebecca, of Rebecca Writes, for a meme listing ten simple pleasures in life. I like:

1. Getting my hands in the dirt.
2. Spending time in a greenhouse/nursery, at any time of year.
3. Tim Hortons' decaf coffee with cream.
4. Watching our son walk.
5. Reading essays about gardening.
6. Salt and vinegar potato chips, especially Mike Sells brand.
7. Toblerone chocolate bars.
8. The smell of hot pizza.
9. Hot dish water.
10. A smile or a hug from our son.

I enjoy the simple things on Rebecca's list, too. I've enjoyed reading these memes from others who've done them. It reminds me that we don't really need riches to buy happiness. I'll tag Martin, retired professor blogging at Sun and Shield and Violet at Promptings. Anyone else want to volunteer?

Joy comes in the morning

Weeping cherry
Psalm 30:5

Easter reprise

(sorry, I hadn't clicked through to find direct links didn't work)

What kind of love is this? (click through Steve Bell, to music, to Simple Songs samples, to lyrics and audio)
* * * * * * *
Ride on, King Jesus! (click through Steve Bell, to music, to Comfort My People samples, to lyrics and audio)

I know many churches sing this on Palm Sunday, but I felt the sentiment was suited to remembering Easter, and looking toward the future return of Christ.

Easter

Ride on, King Jesus. No man can hinder Thee.
Ride on, King Jesus, ride on. No man can hinder Thee.

I was but young when I begun. (No man can hinder Thee.)
Now my race is almost done. (No man can hinder Thee.)
Ride on, King Jesus, ride on. No man can hinder Thee.

King Jesus rides on a milk white horse. (No man can hinder Thee.)
The river Jordan he did cross. (No man can hinder Thee.)
Ride on, King Jesus, ride on. No man can hinder Thee.
* * * * *
For He is King of Kings, He is Lord of Lords.
Jesus Christ, the First and Last, no man works like Him.
He is King of Kings, He is Lord of Lords.
Jesus Christ, the First and Last, no man works like Him.

Ride on, King Jesus. No man can hinder Thee.
Ride on, King Jesus, ride on. No man can hinder Thee.
--Traditional
Leontyne Price
Jessye Norman
Kathleen Battle & Christopher Parkening
Robert Shaw Festival Singers
Robert Shaw Festival Singers, with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Barbara Conrad
Steve Bell (audio), (copyrighted lyrics)

Good Friday

1. Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

2. Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? . . .

3. Were you there when they pierced him in the side? . . .

4. Were you there when the sun refused to shine? . . .

5. Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? . . .

* * * * * *
(Added) Further reading: "Yes, I was there, and so were you," says Pastor Glen VanderKloot, quoted by Mark Daniels at Better Living.
Seven last words of Christ: Reflections for Holy Week, by Mark D. Roberts (HT: Mark Daniels).

Palm Sunday: looking toward home

Refrain
Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus!
Steal away, steal away home,
I ain’t got long to stay here.

My Lord, He calls me,
He calls me by the thunder;
The trumpet sounds within my soul,
I ain’t got long to stay here.

Refrain

Green trees are bending,
Poor sinners stand a-trembling;
The trumpet sounds within my soul,
I ain’t got long to stay here.

Refrain

My Lord, He calls me,
He calls me by the lightning;
The trumpet sounds within my soul,
I ain’t got long to stay here.

Yesterday we attended the memorial service for my aunt, who stole away a few weeks ago. She had a rich and full life. She had much to be thankful for, and so did we.

Fifth Sunday of Lent: history and hope of deliverance

Refrain:
Climbin’ up the mountain, children,
Didn’t come here for to stay,
And if I nevermore see you again,
Gonna meet you on the judgment day.

Moses went down into Egypt land;
He told old Pharoah
That the good Lord sittin' on His heavenly throne
Said, "Let my people go!"
He said, "Let my people go!"

Daniel went in the den of lions,
And he begin to pray,
And the angel of the Lawd locked the lion’s jaw
Oh, wasn’t that a mighty day!
Oh, wasn't that a mighty day!

Children in the fiery furnace,
And they begin to pray,
And the angel of the Lord put the fire out,
Oh, wasn’t that a mighty day!
Oh, wasn’t that a mighty day!
--Spiritual
(a few lines from the Dixie Jubilee singers, with a German accent, and then a Korean)

This song gives us a sense of our place in the timeline of history, in more ways than one. Many American Spirituals carry layered meanings, proclaiming that God's faithfulness to the Jews in the past continues toward His people in the present. He will bring deliverance---perhaps from slavery in this life, as well as from death in the afterlife.
* * * * * * *
We traveled south over the past few days, passing through country traversed by people escaping north on the Kentucky section of the Underground Railroad.
* * * * * * *
Several weeks ago, I heard a minister state from the pulpit that he admired Tony Blair for his apology to the Irish for Britain's indifference to their plight during the great potato famine of the mid-nineteenth century. (A million Irish people died, as a result.)

He said he wished the President of the United States would issue a similar apology to the African Americans of this country for the tribulations inflicted on them by the practice of slavery here. I wish that, too. This is the time.

Spring break

Time out.
Yesterday I saw the first daffodils whizz by, on a hillside, as we headed north to speech therapy. Our tulips are up a couple inches. The bird feeders are busier by the day.

Fourth Sunday of Lent: anticipation

(For my aunt)
Fair ye well, fair ye well
Fair ye well, fair ye well, fair ye well

Well, in that great gettin' up morning (Fair ye well, fair ye well) ,
In that great gettin' up morning (Fair ye well, fair ye well),
In that great gettin' up morning (Fair ye well, fair ye well),
Well, in that great gettin' up morning (Fair ye well, fair ye well).

Let me tell you 'bout the coming of judgement
(Fair ye well, fair ye well),
Let me tell you 'bout the coming of judgement
(Fair ye well, fair ye well),
Let me tell you 'bout the coming of judgement
(Fair ye well, fair ye well),
Let me tell you 'bout the coming of judgement
(Fair ye well, fair ye well).

God goin' up and speak to Gabriel (Fair ye well, fair ye well),
God goin' up and speak to Gabriel (Fair ye well, fair ye well).

Pick up your silver trumpet (Fair ye well, fair ye well),
Pick up you silver trumpet (Fair ye well, fair ye well).

Blow your trumpet, Gabriel (Fair ye well, fair ye well),
Blow your trumpet Gabriel (Fair ye well, fair ye well).

Lord, how loud shall I blow it (Fair ye well, fair ye well),
Lord, how loud shall I blow it (Fair ye well, fair ye well).

Oh, to wake the children sleeping (Fair ye well, fair ye well),
Oh, to wake the children sleeping (Fair ye well, fair ye well).
Fare ye well, fair ye well, Fair ye well, fair ye well, fair ye well.
(rpt)

They be comin' from every nation (Fair ye well, fair ye well),
They be comin' for every nation (Fair ye well, fair ye well).

On their way to the great coronation (Fair ye well, fair ye well),
On their way to the great coronation (Fair ye well, fair ye well).

Dressed in a robe so white as snow (Fair ye well, fair ye well),
Dressed in a robe so white as snow (Fair ye well, fair ye well).

Singin' oh, I been redeemed (Fair ye well, fair ye well),
Singin', oh, I been redeemed (Fair ye well, fair ye well).
In that great gettin up morning (Fair ye well, fair ye well),
(rpt several times)
---Traditional spiritual, Mahalia Jackson's lyrics.
Listen to Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman sing a few lines.

Third Sunday of Lent: crossing over

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah,
Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah.
My brothers and sisters are all aboard, hallelujah,
My brothers and sisters are all aboard, hallelujah.

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah,
Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah.
The river is deep and the river is wide, hallelujah,
Milk and honey on the other side, hallelujah.

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah,
Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah.
Jordan's river is chilly and cold, hallelujah,
Chills the body but not the soul, hallelujah.

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah,
Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah.
--Traditional

One of my aunts passed away this past Monday. On the internet, you can find she buried an infant daughter in Mahaddei, Somalia, in January of 1958. And that she lost a sister in 1987. And that a Somali "Muslim Mennonite Sufi" living and teaching in Montreal dedicated a poem to her.

She spent most of her life within a one-mile radius of the house where she was born and raised. Her family settled next door to my grandparents when they returned from Africa. The church was half a mile or so away. She made a home for her husband and six children. She looked in on, and cared for my grandmother, until she passed away. She served the church for many years as member and minister's wife. She had a ready smile, a steady faith, a strong will, a great deal of energy, and a huge garden. She fed many people. Like my grandmother, she was interested in people, especially relatives. She noticed and took pleasure in the simple, daily joys of life, the sign of a grateful heart. In her later years, she spent a great deal of time taking care of grandchildren.

I cannot sum up a person in a blog post. I wish I had been able to see her more often.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15.