Morning Meditation

The 23 Psalms (Bobby McFerrin's version)

The Lord is my Shepard, I have all I need,
She makes me lie down in green meadows,
Beside the still waters, She will lead.

She restores my soul, She rights my wrongs,
She leads me in a path of good things,
And fills my heart with songs.

Even though I walk, through a dark and dreary land,
There is nothing that can shake me,
She has said She won't forsake me,
I'm in her hand.

She sets a table before me, in the presence of my foes,
She anoints my head with oil,
And my cup overflows.

Surely, surely goodness and kindness will follow me,
All the days of my life,
And I will live in her house,
Forever, forever and ever.

Glory be to our Mother, and Daughter,
And to the Holy of Holies,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World, without end. Amen

I'm 55; I've Been Revived

When I was three, I could perform the "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" song.


When I was four, I could position my feet behind my head.

When I was six, I could swirl my hips and send a Hula Hoop spinning.


When I was seven, I could pat my head and rub my tummy.

By the time I was 33, I had trouble doing jumping jacks.

By  35, I couldn't learn how to do the Electric Slide.




By 40, I couldn't touch my hands to the floor.

So why, at 55, do I think I can learn how to hula?

Cuz, I'm 55 
and I've been revived. 

And, nobody has told the little girl in me, whom I've recently discovered is still very much alive, that she can't.



  

Nobody, that is, until I took a hula class earlier this month, then my own critical voice starting blaring: "Who do you think your are? Are you crazy?" 

The first time I saw hula danced it was at the ocean's edge at the beach near my home. There was a man turned toward the horizon, his legs moving like the waves of the ocean, his hands motioning in prayer. I was mesmerized. This was nothing like the hula depicted in Elvis Presley movies. 

This was praise. This was prayer. This was love in liquid motion. I want to learn how to move like that! I went home and put "Learn to hula" on my "Things I Want To Do Before I Die" list.

Now, 15 months later, I'm embarking on lessons. In four months, I want to be able to hula for my hubby. Even if its only a three-minute hula. Buddy is thrilled. I am humbled. 

My Writing Sister, Salle, who also hulas, recently emailed me to ask how did I feel while dancing. I wrote back: "To my dismay my hips won't sway."

Yet.

Stay tuned!














 

An Auspicious Occasion: The In-Laws Hug and Mug

You may find this hard to believe, but I actually missed the day my parents, Vernon and Marion, and Buddy's mom, Elly, met.

It was just recently--Friday, July 3.

I was here in California teaching summer school, when my future mother-in-law, Elly, and sister-in-law, Lynda, were traveling through New Jersey where both Buddy and my parents live.

I could not be there, but Buddy proudly made the introductions. I sent MarionBelle a picture of my wedding dress to share with my new mom and sister. Buddy showed our families my wedding band. I was on the speaker phone for all of the "oohs and aahhs" and for Buddy's toast to the coming together of our families.

Here, Elly, my younger sister, Paula, and Buddy's sister, Lynda, pose for a picture. Lynda e-mailed this week to tell me Paula was "the hostess with the mostest," serving iced tea and cheesecake to everyone.  (Prosecco was served for the toasts.) 

 Elly looks on while Buddy and my father rib each other. Lynda says she love the way my dad "busts Buddy's chops!" Buddy loves it!

Ah, my Buddy-La in between our two mothers. Aren't they beautiful? I really want to tell you their age, but I haven't asked their permission. You could never guess.