How Time Flies

I am sitting in my office in the church getting ready to hand out brown bag lunches. Today's menu is hot chicken soup, bun, apple, carrots and chocolate chip cookies. It is a beautiful day, crisp with brilliant sunshine. The breeze is light, but strong enough to send dried leaves dancing across the lawn in front of the church. 

And as the noon hour slowly approaches, we are holding our collective breath in anticipation of a total eclipse of the sun. I will not be trying to look up to the sun through special glasses. I will be back at Dunblane sitting in our wild meadow meditating. The last time there was a partial eclipse in this area, all of the birds and insects suddenly fell silent. I am certain that the same thing will happen this afternoon. Eclipses, although scientifically obvious in why they happen, are nonetheless magical and mesmerizing. Thousands of years ago the ancient Maya had charted the heavens, and knew when eclipses would happen down to the last minute. They celebrated them with massive festivals. I will celebrate quietly, sitting in our wild meadow worshipping in God's great outdoor cathedral. This will be a significant thin place, where the shadows will suddenly disappear, and in the penumbra I feel I will be visited by the spirit world. 

Last night I opened up an old photo album and found a faded and tattered Western Union telegraph from 1963. It was sent by my father from Mexico to my grandma in Salem, Illinois. It read.."Two hours after our conversation, baby boy arrived safely . Love Jim." Today I turn 61. Hard to believe. 

With the total eclipse of the sun as a backdrop, I give thanks to God for the blessings of family and friends. For the splendour of creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life. And as I do every April the 8th, I think of my beautiful mother who brought me into this world. 

And I am thankful for our little reflection group. May you all have a wonderful eclipse day. 

61? My, how time flies.