by admin on August 24, 2010
Beth in the 1980s
This was my first-ever published writing — in the “Patterns” issue of alive now! J/F 1985. I wrote this following my mom’s last trip to Colorado before her death in 1983 from a brain tumor. This piece speaks to me today as I prepare the “Living in the Present” issue, J/F 2011. (Special note — There’s a sale going on! Alive Now gift subscriptions are half off until August 30th.)
Yesterday at the top of the Trail Ridge, I was getting really frustrated because Mom was so slow. I had to walk her to the bathroom and wait while she went and washed and dried her hands. I walked out. Dad wanted to go to the gift shop, but Mom wanted to look at the display in the visitors’ center. So I stayed with Mom.
I was so angry because I did not want to see the display — we’ve seen it so many times before — every year the very same display of stuffed tundra birds and pictures and charts. As I watched her walk around and read each display like it was the first time she had read it, it all of a sudden hit me that she might never see it again. Each trip for her could be her last.
The reading of the display, the rituals that we participate in as a family — certain things to be done (mail a postcard to Aunt Eileen from the top of Trail Ridge, read “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”), certain things to be said (“When are we gonna get there?” “Smell that cool mountain air.” “We’ll have these moments to remember.”) — all these things take on new importance as we/she lives every day as a holy one. Mom is the keeper of the ritual right now. In the participation in these family rituals, there is a combination of such pain and joy, such comfort and such vulnerability.
From Alive Now, J/F 1985. Copyright © 1984 The Upper Room.
by admin on January 11, 2010
by admin on December 30, 2009
Copper Wire Crèche
I opened a gift from my brother on Christmas and discovered the Nativity scenes from our childhood. One was the figures we had played with — with Mary’s chipped nose and the shepherd whose legs were lost along the way. Joseph’s head’s been glued back on so many times that he has a mantle of Elmer’s. Also in the box were the copper wire figures my dad crafted as a part of an Advent wreath and crèche.
As I unpacked the box, tears flowed. I didn’t know the crèches were still around. These treasures from my childhood coming back to me now — what a great gift!
I’m wondering — what are the significant rituals or symbols you remember from your childhood? Do you still have them in your life?
by admin on November 27, 2009
I had the privilege of sharing Thanksgiving with my pastor’s family. Among the guests were three college freshmen – two from Rwanda and one from China.
What a wonderful experience to see this tradition through their eyes. New food, new ideas. The young woman from China had never had the chance to help cook a family dinner before (kids usually had to stay out of the way). The young men from Rwanda had question after question about the American culture:
• How did Obama get elected?
• Where are all the skyscrapers they thought they’d see in America? (They’re school is in a small town much like theirs at home.)
• What does it cost the bridegroom to marry a young woman (at home, it could be as much as six cows.)
We talked about where we got our names, what foods we like to eat, politics, race, and geography. The presence of these young people, their thoughts, cultures, and experiences made it a very rich time of fellowship.
Related Link:
The Olivers took Thanksgiving with them to Malawi. Read about their experience.
