Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Wednesday Miscellany

StrongOpinions is braving a Chinatown bus to come down here to retrieve her car. She got on in Brooklyn, then the bus went to Manhattan to do pickups there. Apparently, there was all sorts of commotion from people who wanted to get onto the bus and there were not enough seats. Theoretically, the bus is supposed to arrive in DC by 2, but I would be mighty surprised if they got there by 4. Ah, well.

I had the delight of a little breakfast time this morning with two of my favorite clergywoman friends. We're very good at identifiying all the problems of the world. Fixing them - not so much. But it is great to have a couple of people to whom you can say ANYTHING and they won't flinch, and who will tell you you're full of baloney when that's the case.

Holidays - they're lovely, but for some folks they are ineffably sad. Bereavement, family problems, illness, seasonal depression, job loss, it all comes out at holiday times. Spending a lot of time on the phone or email with hurting souls reminds me of how fortunate I am.

Dear Lord, pour down your healing grace on those for whom this time of celebration feels like a bitter reminder of their pain. Let them know that they are not alone and that your love is with them always. May your embrace be warmth to those who are chilled to the bone, may your words be food for the empty soul, may your love be a salve to the wounded spirit. And may we never forget our own obligation to be your hands and feet and voice to serve those who suffer.

Amen.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just a quick thought on the bus options - your daughter might want to try the Bolt bus next time. I'm not sure of all the details of the differences between the two options, but the Bolt bus has advance reservations and wireless internet.

mibi52/ The Rev. Dr. Mary Brennan Thorpe said...

Thanks, Sophia - She's done Vamoose and the Bolt Bus, and this time she used one of that genre that actually leaves from Bed-Stuy, where she lives. Saves her the trip into the city.