July 15, 2008
There is not much happening right now – the sun is blazing hot, and the greatest excitement is the painters changing the discreet, somewhat faded yellow on the front of the house back to it’s original “Oh my word, that’s really YELLOW!” At the first sighting of this color, a neighbor’s child was convinced that this was Big Bird’s residence, and now we are back to its original brightness.
Several nights ago we were awakened at 3:00 AM by the sound of raccoons in a very loud and acrimonious battle outside our window. After a seemingly long time, there was the crack of a branch breaking, followed by the sound of it hitting the ground. After this, blessed silence reigned once more. In the morning, we saw the fallen branch near the cottonwood tree, and we surmised that one raccoon was pushing the other out further and further until the limb broke off under their weight and it fell carrying them both to the ground. We are assuming the trip down rendered the dispute meaningless, because since then, the nights have been peaceful once more.
We prepare for our holiday in Colorado and New Mexico in the next weeks. We begin with a time together with all children and grandchildren at a resort near Rocky Mountain National Park, and we continue with opera in Santa Fe. I have felt quite well for a number of days now, and the gift of life is very good.
In the summer Hymn Sings that Charles has presided over these last weeks, the hymn “Abide With Me” has been requested nearly every Sunday, and it carries me back to the little church of my parents and the occasions of their funerals. It was a favorite of both of them, and we sang it there as we gathered to honor them one more time. Now, when I hear the familiar words and sing the familiar melody, I am carried both back and forward in time as memories and comfort intertwine in a wonderful way.
“Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
the darkness deepens, Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away
change and decay in all around I see
O thou who changest not, abide with me.
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes
shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.”