Sunday, my story for the 3rd and 4th graders at church was Daniel in the Lions' Den. It is a well-known story, but as happens when reading the Bible, I find myself filtering the story through my present lens.
Daniel found himself in the lions' den because of others' jealousy. The description of the other satraps, prefects, and government officials who were threatened by Daniel's hard work, honesty, and recognition is heartbreaking. They were so busy trying to dig up dirt on Daniel that they could not concentrate on their own responsibilities. So, they lied, they connived, they tricked the King with flattery, they found themselves "looking through the window" to catch Daniel breaking the law, they tattled, and they ended up devoured. Jealousy is a cruel master.
It seems that jealous people sometimes have an invested interest in the failure of others. Those people who are closest to them are the ones most often targeted. Instead of getting up and striving to improve their own situations, if they are not happy, they devise ways to bring down others. Sometimes, like Daniel's nemeses, those who seek to bring down others do it with intention. It is a well-devised plan. More often, however, I believe, if confronted, a jealous person would be stunned that you thought them so.
We all know people like this. We all are people like this in certain situations. You know who I mean; those who quietly sabotage someone who is working hard to lose weight, or quit drinking, or exercise more, or study hard to pass a test, or remove sugar from diets, or excel at their jobs, etc. The list is endless. What does it say about me if my old running buddies grow up and change their lives and I don't?
There is a song by Rascal Flatts that was very popular several years ago. It is entitled "I'm Moving On." One stanza speaks of this to me: "I've lived in this place and I know all the faces. Each one is different but they're always the same. They mean no harm but it's time that I face it, They'll never allow me to change...." Those who refuse to allow others to change are devoured in their own misery. I have such admiration for those, and I know several, who refuse to allow those who would hold them back to....well, hold them back. They are moving on, living the lives they were intended, regardless of who would have it otherwise.
I started this blog a few days ago. Each morning I receive a quote, more like a devotional, from The Frederick Buechner Center. A passage from yesterday says, "Your life and my life flow into each other as wave flows into wave, and unless there is peace and joy and freedom for you, there can be no real peace or joy or freedom for me." I love that. I believe it to be true. I do not want to be "looking through the window" hoping to trip others up. I want to be in the room cheering them on.
Wishing you a day rejoicing in the good fortune of all those with whom you might compare yourself. Let us not be devoured by jealousy, that cruelest of all masters.
Friday, May 26, 2017
Monday, May 22, 2017
'Til Death Do Us Part
She has Alzheimer's. He takes care of her. She knows she has Alzheimer's and is sometimes apologetic for that which she cannot remember. Sometimes I forget and ask if she has plans for the day; for Mother's Day or Easter. She will seem puzzled, eyes looking up and left as if somewhere up there is the answer to my question. After a moment or two, she will flash her beautiful, sweet smile and say, "I don't know." Sometimes, she will forget where she laid her purse or will seem a bit lost looking for him.
They have hard days at times. I know this because he is honest and admits it. I cannot imagine the sadness of watching the recognition of all that which is familiar leaving the eyes of a person one loves so dearly. How difficult it must be to lose the sharing of memories.
She dresses beautifully. She has a red sequined top that sparkles in the sunlight. I always tell her that I like it because I do, but mainly because I see it as a symbol of her sparkling personality. Often, she can be seen wearing a necklace that has a beautiful rendering of her grandchildren on it. It is reminiscent of antique, hand-painted broaches. Will there be a day that she looks at that necklace and wonders just who those children are?
He is quick to laugh, and unmercifully teases me when I am, yet again, sitting on the pew in front of him on Birthday Sunday taking pictures of my grandchildren. I grew up with teasing brothers, and I consider it a sign of great affection when someone is comfortable enough to good-naturedly tease another.
They are always early to church. They are always together.
This past week, they were greeting at a side door which made it necessary for them to come in after the service had begun. They walked down the aisle, side-by-side, to the front as the congregation sang a beautiful song. Both of them tall with majestic bearing. The passing of time has not obscured the handsome groom and the beautiful bride who walked together down a different aisle many years ago. They had no way of knowing, none of us does, what "'til death do us part" meant in that moment of young love and youthful optimism. It is so inspiring, in this world of me and mine and doing what feels good and grasping for everything that can be grasped, to watch this quiet, loving keeping of vows; 'til death do us part.
They have hard days at times. I know this because he is honest and admits it. I cannot imagine the sadness of watching the recognition of all that which is familiar leaving the eyes of a person one loves so dearly. How difficult it must be to lose the sharing of memories.
She dresses beautifully. She has a red sequined top that sparkles in the sunlight. I always tell her that I like it because I do, but mainly because I see it as a symbol of her sparkling personality. Often, she can be seen wearing a necklace that has a beautiful rendering of her grandchildren on it. It is reminiscent of antique, hand-painted broaches. Will there be a day that she looks at that necklace and wonders just who those children are?
He is quick to laugh, and unmercifully teases me when I am, yet again, sitting on the pew in front of him on Birthday Sunday taking pictures of my grandchildren. I grew up with teasing brothers, and I consider it a sign of great affection when someone is comfortable enough to good-naturedly tease another.
They are always early to church. They are always together.
This past week, they were greeting at a side door which made it necessary for them to come in after the service had begun. They walked down the aisle, side-by-side, to the front as the congregation sang a beautiful song. Both of them tall with majestic bearing. The passing of time has not obscured the handsome groom and the beautiful bride who walked together down a different aisle many years ago. They had no way of knowing, none of us does, what "'til death do us part" meant in that moment of young love and youthful optimism. It is so inspiring, in this world of me and mine and doing what feels good and grasping for everything that can be grasped, to watch this quiet, loving keeping of vows; 'til death do us part.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
People Along My Way
I work in Downtown Nashville; the "it" city. It is crowded. Construction sites are everywhere. Unfamiliar faces abound. But, then there are those oh, so familiar faces that I see every day.
Reggie is a favorite. He is from New York. He wears beautiful suits complete with colorful pocket squares with flip flops. He is fast to laugh and when he is really tickled, he puts his fist up to his mouth. He is married and calls his wife "Upper Management." He says it with humor, and I am always interested on Monday mornings to hear what Upper Management has required of him over the weekend. Every morning he searches me out to give me a hug and gallantly asks, "how's m'lady this morning?" The fragrance of his cologne lingers when he leaves. He is my son's age. He is in school getting a degree in accounting. He has two daughters, one grown, one at Harpeth Hall. Reggie is taking a new job. After May 23, I won't be seeing him. I will miss him.
Paulino is an enigma. Some mornings he just grunts at me. Some mornings, he will come sit and chat while I wait for my tour group to arrive. There was a time when about every fourth or fifth word he said was the "F" word, but I have noticed that he has tempered that. He is from Guatemala. He is a hard worker with myriad skills. He always has on an LSU sweatshirt in cooler weather months. I have never seen him in a hurry. His wife has a big job; his children are brilliant and accomplished, and he is very proud of them. He comes across as a grumpy guy, but he has a heart of gold. The other day he handed me a rubber band....for no apparent reason. Reggie laughed, and I jokingly told Paulino that I would cherish it. In a way, it wasn't a joke. Oh, I don't still have the rubber band, but I have the memory of Paulino joking around with me. It was the rare occasion when he did not seem burdened with the day ahead of him. He still gets upset with me because I don't tell the children that the "Yankees came down here and stole our women and our land." I think I won't get historical information from Paulino. He told me not too long ago that he was going to retire. I will miss him.
Chad is The Contributor seller I see every morning. He is always faithfully at his spot, eager to share with me any new stories in the paper, especially if they pertain to celebrities who have been interviewed. Often when I ask how he is doing, he will reply, "I am really tired." I don't think he gets good rest at The Mission or the other places he goes for the night. One day this week, he asked if I like chocolate. Of course, I told him yes. He had a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup that a rep of the candy company had given him. According to Chad, this particular version of the candy is not sold in stores yet. Chad handed me the candy bar that had been tucked inside his shirt. He suggested that I open it and take one of the cups. I asked if he was sure he wanted to share it or would he rather save it for himself later. He sincerely wanted me to have it and it occurred to me that in his economic situation, he probably has very little opportunity to give something to another. So, I took it, I ate it. Later, I found Chad and encouraged him to tell the candy rep that those Reese's Cups definitely need to be in the stores. It had tiny chocolate chips in it. I like to see Chad selling papers to his regular customers, on his corner, sharing his pride in the paper that he sells.
Steve is the doorman at The Hermitage Hotel. Never have I seen anyone more perfectly suited for his job. First of all, Steve looks like he was born to wear a top hat and tails. He has the kindest smile which never leaves his face even as he is trying to cram 3 suitcases in the trunk of someone's tiny sportscar. Every morning as I walk by, he gives me a small bow, asks how I am doing and greets the children as they walk by. This morning, he told me he had just figured out who my mom is. She is a sort of crowned princess of the Hermitage Hotel, and everyone there loves her. Steve called her "a force of nature." I had 200 people walking behind me, so I could not ask how he made the connection. He did say that he could see the family resemblance. I really know nothing about Steve's life, but he certainly seems the loveliest sort of man.
So, these are some of my favorite people I see along the way. I consider myself a very fortunate person to do the job I do. I live a very non-glamorous and, in many ways, a very simple life blessed by the comings and goings of many interesting folks.
Reggie is a favorite. He is from New York. He wears beautiful suits complete with colorful pocket squares with flip flops. He is fast to laugh and when he is really tickled, he puts his fist up to his mouth. He is married and calls his wife "Upper Management." He says it with humor, and I am always interested on Monday mornings to hear what Upper Management has required of him over the weekend. Every morning he searches me out to give me a hug and gallantly asks, "how's m'lady this morning?" The fragrance of his cologne lingers when he leaves. He is my son's age. He is in school getting a degree in accounting. He has two daughters, one grown, one at Harpeth Hall. Reggie is taking a new job. After May 23, I won't be seeing him. I will miss him.
Paulino is an enigma. Some mornings he just grunts at me. Some mornings, he will come sit and chat while I wait for my tour group to arrive. There was a time when about every fourth or fifth word he said was the "F" word, but I have noticed that he has tempered that. He is from Guatemala. He is a hard worker with myriad skills. He always has on an LSU sweatshirt in cooler weather months. I have never seen him in a hurry. His wife has a big job; his children are brilliant and accomplished, and he is very proud of them. He comes across as a grumpy guy, but he has a heart of gold. The other day he handed me a rubber band....for no apparent reason. Reggie laughed, and I jokingly told Paulino that I would cherish it. In a way, it wasn't a joke. Oh, I don't still have the rubber band, but I have the memory of Paulino joking around with me. It was the rare occasion when he did not seem burdened with the day ahead of him. He still gets upset with me because I don't tell the children that the "Yankees came down here and stole our women and our land." I think I won't get historical information from Paulino. He told me not too long ago that he was going to retire. I will miss him.
Chad is The Contributor seller I see every morning. He is always faithfully at his spot, eager to share with me any new stories in the paper, especially if they pertain to celebrities who have been interviewed. Often when I ask how he is doing, he will reply, "I am really tired." I don't think he gets good rest at The Mission or the other places he goes for the night. One day this week, he asked if I like chocolate. Of course, I told him yes. He had a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup that a rep of the candy company had given him. According to Chad, this particular version of the candy is not sold in stores yet. Chad handed me the candy bar that had been tucked inside his shirt. He suggested that I open it and take one of the cups. I asked if he was sure he wanted to share it or would he rather save it for himself later. He sincerely wanted me to have it and it occurred to me that in his economic situation, he probably has very little opportunity to give something to another. So, I took it, I ate it. Later, I found Chad and encouraged him to tell the candy rep that those Reese's Cups definitely need to be in the stores. It had tiny chocolate chips in it. I like to see Chad selling papers to his regular customers, on his corner, sharing his pride in the paper that he sells.
Steve is the doorman at The Hermitage Hotel. Never have I seen anyone more perfectly suited for his job. First of all, Steve looks like he was born to wear a top hat and tails. He has the kindest smile which never leaves his face even as he is trying to cram 3 suitcases in the trunk of someone's tiny sportscar. Every morning as I walk by, he gives me a small bow, asks how I am doing and greets the children as they walk by. This morning, he told me he had just figured out who my mom is. She is a sort of crowned princess of the Hermitage Hotel, and everyone there loves her. Steve called her "a force of nature." I had 200 people walking behind me, so I could not ask how he made the connection. He did say that he could see the family resemblance. I really know nothing about Steve's life, but he certainly seems the loveliest sort of man.
So, these are some of my favorite people I see along the way. I consider myself a very fortunate person to do the job I do. I live a very non-glamorous and, in many ways, a very simple life blessed by the comings and goings of many interesting folks.
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