Category: The Year in Review

Silent

SILENT I stepped out of the pulpit away from 24/7 availability expecting to pick up a pen write my heart’s content in the absence of looming deadlines a waiting audience words turned reclusive stingy with appearances my soul’s expression gone underground perhaps now is the time to get reacquainted with my hiking boots employ my …

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Every Now and Then

EVERY NOW AND THEN I’ve frumped and fumbled my way through more days than I care to admit. Despite what has currently become my standard operating procedure, every now and then something catches my attention and brings me up short. Or better yet, brings me back to my senses. Take, for example, my walk the …

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Twenty-Four Years

On March 2, a niece posted this photo on Facebook, saying, “Look what I found.” It is a photo from our wedding, posted two days before our twenty-fourth anniversary. Twenty-Four Years 10 births, 3 deaths or should I count 4? if so, then 8 weddings, 4 divorces and 1 on the way associate’s, bachelor’s degrees …

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New Life

NEW LIFE our yard declared it first small green shoots peered out cautiously, yet steadily came into view dustings of snow amid warming lows gentle rain, caressing sun shoots grew to leaves buds fattened and swelled now hover on the brink poised to burst with color dance with new life the church’s announcement soon followed …

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Good Enough

WHAT IS GOOD ENOUGH? It all started… I’ll be honest. It’s been so long since it started, I’m not sure when or where. A grandchild was on the way, I bought fleece for a bunting, and actually had it done when the big day arrived. A major miracle in my life! I also had enough …

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Moving is Over Rated

Moving is Over Rated One month ago today, I joined in a formal Liturgy of Farewell with the congregation I’d been serving, and in the next few days completed the process of saying good-bye: to parishioners I had known for too short a time, friends still adjusting to me being 3 hours away instead of …

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January in Eastern Montana

January in Eastern Montana barren forsaken wind ravaged irrigation equipment abandoned or perhaps left to ride out the freeze wait for seed planting, life nurturing days cattle pens empty animals whipped while foraging on grasses unprotected in the snow not exactly hospitable throw open the door come sit by the fire welcome I’m only passing …

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Blackbird

It was a wonderful moment. Two 7th grade members of the Confirmation Class played their clarinets at my installation, offering their gifts to usher in the beginning of what we hoped would be a long journey together. My friend chuckled at the red sneakers. I smiled to recognize a Beatles’ song. Good things really do …

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