Time Out

It’s early morning, but not too early. Thundering over the Bay out front, maybe there’ll be rain, this summer -- which officially fades into fall this week -- has been wet, which has been good, but also humid, too muggy to have doors and windows open. In fact, the windows don’t open any longer, or haven’t been in years.

Having a cuppa, Fortnum & Mason tea that Kate sent from England, and that TJC1C2 brought back for me. F&M’s Piccadilly Blend, with a splash of milk, delicious, perfect.

Email reminded me of a couple of birthday e-cards, so opening those was birthday all over again. One included a view of the Sydney Opera House and brought back exciting memories of very early mornings, window seat, QANTAS flight circling in light clouds, over homes, their red tile roofs obviously wet from early showers, over the Opera House and magnificent Sydney Harbor. That was a common experience for me in the late 70s and early 80s, when either the Australian Department of Defence or an Australian industry client flew me down for business or to conduct seminars on doing business with our defense industry and Department of Defense. 

The other e-card played “Happy birthday to you” and reminded me happily of years at HNES, having the birthday blessings for the children at chapel every Wednesday then singing to them, “Happy birthday to you.” And of course the second verse, “May the good Lord bless you.” Happiest time of life and ministry.

In all this happiness, there’s no sound of rain yet, but the thunder grows louder and nearer, so the power cord is disconnected from the MacBook. What comes to mind is yesterday afternoon, heavy, funeral of an 18-year-old boy. A son, a brother, obviously loved by many sobbing friends. Tragedy of the worst kind imaginable. Apparently there had been an angry argument in the house, and he stormed out into the yard with a gun and shot himself. For those he left behind in a moment of rash anger, there is no way back forever, especially for his Mom. On the way home I was thinking about all he missed, love, fun; children and grandchildren who will never be: he took their lives as well as his own. The officiating minister was a kind and gentle blessing as he talked to the chapel filled with teenagers about signaling Time Out if ever life seems too hard and heavy to go on. Time Out to ask for help. Or simply to wait, give it a moment.     

Bible Seminar this morning. All are invited and welcome. We’re starting the Gospel according to Mark. In my office Through the Garage at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church. Gather NLT 10:00 a.m. and convene with prayer at 10:05.

Yes, heavy rain now. Very heavy. A regular old fashioned earen-splitten-louden-boomer.

And now fading. Gone.

Blessings,

Tom+ in +Time