My Fellow Pilgrims

Finished a favorite

Last night after a very important meeting where we decided to move forward officially and start an exciting and edgy new work, I finished "coincidentally" one of my favorite books, A Prayer For Owen Meany.  John Irving deals with fate/predestination/call in some fascinating and troubling ways.  I have read this twice now, and his statements pro-faith and anti-church are well worth the read.  He painstakingly slowly drips nuggets of information over a long story.  It is written as 5 novellas, each unveiling some major portion of a story that closes in 5 pages where all is revealed in astounding and horrific ways.
It leads me to ask the nature of my relationship with God, my calling, my purpose(s).  Who prays for me?  Who would I want to pray for me?  What do I want God to do with me?  Through me?  To me?  Hard questions, and they are all badgering me now with this wonderful book.  Patience and the desire to wrestle with the big questions come into play and are requisite for this book.  Read it and believe.  Read it and doubt.  I would mostly say read it, and maybe let it read you some, too.

I bought a book last night...

Mr. Rogers, yes, Fred Rogers, has always been a favorite.  I loved the Trolley to the land of make-believe, Speedy Delivery, etc. All those wonderful things and people that lived in Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.  He embodied so much of what I esteem.  He is appreciative, of people and differences.  (See quote below.) 

He was set to come to our city to speak at the children's museum.  He passed away about a month before he was supposed to come.  I was going to go and hear him.  His quiet and respectful dignity and peaceful strength always impressed me, even as a child.  I was and am even more impressed as an adult. Soon after his passing, his wife published a book of quotes.  Half of them made me choke back the tears.  They were just good. Solid.  True.

Last night I found a new one of his with quotes about the journey we call life.  For me personally, especially in my spiritual and professional aspects, I can think of no better metaphor for ourselves and our limited time here in this time/space.  Looks like Mr. Rogers did as well.  It is an honor to know that he was an ordained minister as well.

Life's Journeys According to Mr. Rogers: Things to Remember Along the Way 

It is even better than the first book.  I highly recommend it.  If I were to type out my favorites, it would be half the book. 

Here is one listed in the reviews: "My hope for you at the beginning of this new moment in your life is that you will take good care of that part of you where your best dreams come from, that invisible part of you that allows you to look on yourself and your neighbor with delight. Do your best to appreciate the gifts that we really are and always will be . . . to look for every opportunity that allows you to clap and cheer, loving your neighbor as yourself."--Fred Rogers

It's at this address if you wanna buy one or get more info.

Peace on your journey today.