The I’s have had it. Insurrection.
Impeachment. Inauguration. The third of the three past Wednesdays is what is filling my heart and mind right now:
That Inauguration Eve tribute to Covid
Victims. A reminder that, including the silence, less is more.
That exit! I kid you not, just as Air Force One took off with “I’ll do it My Way”
blaring in the background, our TV screen went blank and the words “Entering
Recovery System” appeared until we had a picture and sound again!
That National
Anthem! But what about a dress code for the singer :)
That history made! As
someone noted, a women’s hand on the bible after all these years of men's hands.
That speech! “…Lead
not by the example of our power but by the power of our example…”
That poem!
I don’t know where to begin. I'm speechless.
Those different faces and songs
from around the country. I didn’t enjoy all the songs personally, but am glad that everyone
was invited and given a place in the program.
Those fireworks! More fireworks than any other Inauguration Day ever. Period!!!
And so much more. Kathleen
getting her first vaccine, I kid you not, at 8:48 PST, the exact minute President
Biden completed his oath early at 11:48 EST! My dear friend Amy Klobuchar (we have the same birthday) and her spontaneous sense
of humor--…“and a whole bunch of Bidens” Listening to three past
presidents share their words of wisdom. And, as I said, so much more.
But I must close by confessing
that I cried yesterday---(and not just when I saw Lady Gaga’s dress! :). I have tried to manage many waves of anger these past four years, but apparently I still had
held a lot within. Yesterday, I think the tears were the textbook or should I
say dictionary definition of cathartic---providing psychological
relief through the open expression of strong emotions as in "crying is a cathartic
release".
Going forward,
I am looking forward to (trying!) watching less cable news and more things
like PBS’s “All Creatures Great and Small”. I am going to try to do my
part in turning down the temperature, while letting those on the front lines deal
with what needs to be done. And, having received my first vaccine shot as
an over 65-year old volunteer chaplain at Corona Regional Medical Center, I am
looking forward to getting out to do some ministry again, while still enjoying
retirement.
There are heartaches ahead,
and not just the daily death toll of Covid deaths (407,360 on Inauguration
Day). Turning the page, does not mean an end to struggles for justice among
other things. But for now, in this moment, my heavy heart has
been turned into a more hopeful heart. That's not just because of yesterday,
but because of the enduring truth of the hymn which begins with these
two verses:
All my hope on God is founded; he doth still
my trust renew
Me through change and chance he guideth,
only good and only true
God unknown, he alone, calls my heart to
be his own
Mortal pride and earthly glory, sword and
crown betray our trust;
Though with care and toil we build them,
tower and temple fall to dust
But God’s power, hour by hour, is my
temple and my tower.
John
P.S And for frosting on the cake (or maybe we should see faith as the cake/ foundation) I was so glad and proud to watch the National Prayer service from our Washington National Cathedral this morning (still available to watch online). This was the Moms Mabley joke shared by the preacher, William Barber, near the beginning of his challenging sermon:
What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry?
If we hadn’t been in that bed together, we wouldn’t be in this jam today.
Based on Isaiah
58:1-6, he called us all to be repairers of the breach.
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