Christmas Reflections, 2008

 Original post, Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas 2008

Some years are stressful, some filled with change, novelty, and excitement, but this year has been relaxed and routine, a time of reconnecting and regularity. I was ready for that. My days were marked by lunches with friends, meetings with my Dominican Associate companions, the weekly Bible Study and Faith Sharing group at Westminster-Thurber retirement community, and time at the University. Jack Dog took me for regular walks around town and romps in the park to terrify the squirrels. These prosaic days were punctuated by several people-oriented excursions out of town and a trip to the hospital – I didn’t even know I had a gallbladder & now I don’t! Susan & I made some family reunion trips to the Pike County to share pictures and stories with the Lambert side of the family tree, and are glad we did.

In May I went to Georgia for a weekend men’s retreat, which was altogether unremarkable except for the camaraderie and some excellent drumming. A second retreat, a week in Iowa at the Trappist monastery I visited two years ago, drew me more deeply into the routine of daily prayer that both shut out the chatter of the world and sanctified that very chatter and passing of days and hours. I rose with the New Melleray monks for 3 a.m. Vigils – a beautiful and eerie prayer in the darkened, echoing stone chapel – but kept one eye closed so I could go back to bed until morning (unlike the monks who continue in prayer and reading). Praying the other 6 hours with them each day, I had a great sense of entering the river of prayer that has flowed for 1,600 years or more, sensing how it is a little different for each new voice that is added and then leaves, while the round of psalms rolls on around the world and through the years.

My other grand adventure was to drive with my nephews Nathan and Drew ‘cross country to move Nathan to Albuquerque – another trip to New Mexico so soon after last year! Nathan finished at Princeton and is doing post-doc work in alternative energy at Sandia Research Labs. The drive was a splendid time, talking about everything under the sun with these bright, sweet young men. Michelle and their not-quite-born-yet baby flew out with her mom . We worked getting their home cleaned and painted, ready for them and for Emmalene McKenzie, who in short order made her appearance, making everyone involved very happy. Not least of all her grandmother my sister!

This summer I began tutoring at Ohio Dominican – undergrad theology – and working in the writing lab, helping students organize and correct research papers. I like having the structure of “going to work” each week (as opposed to each day – been there, done that) and knowing I can be of some use to the kids, as well as enjoying their company. I’m sort of a cross between professor and parent (or grand-), a non-threatening adult who doesn’t grade or judge, but listens and maybe helps some, too. This is a great balance to the time I spend with the generation ahead of me at the Bible Study group. In both cases, I’m getting to use and share some of what I’ve been learning and meditating on in the master’s program and in my faith in general. I was going to graduate next year, but put it off till 2010 so I can work on my major paper with my advisor, who will be in Rome next Fall semester. This is shaping up to be a tremendously long program – 7 ½ years, one class at a time – but it’s keeping my mind active, giving me a sense of accomplishment, and generally making me happy, as well as redeeming some old failures & fears.

Speaking of school and old fears, over the summer I went to a reunion picnic with my high school class of ’65, Wheelersburg, Ohio, and the group after us. Was ambivalent at first, but some folks I’ve always liked were there, and I found some who overawed or kept me off balance 40 years ago have mellowed & aged, while I’ve developed some perspective myself. So, it was fun. I plan to do it again and recruit other alums to come, too. I got to spend time with friend and classmate Travis & wife Lou several times this year and am headed to Carson City to spend New Years with them. Reuniting seems to be a good activity for my 60’s.

I wish everyone a happy Christmas season, prosperity and health for 2009!