It's been a while since I've done any entry's on this site. In the past couple of years it feels as though I have related a lot and it is my prayer that it will someday mean something to someone.
The prime focus has been on the subject of Love and it's potential for transcendence of humankind toward that "image of God" we are mostly all told about.
All I wish to do today is to reiterate some aspects of my life which have been impactful in this transcendent path. As Richard Rohr has mentioned very insightfully quite often that movement is facilitated by the occurrence of "Great Love" or "Great Loss". Several of these postings have codified that movement in my life. Most notably they have been the Love of Sherita, the Loss of Sherita, and most recently the Birth of Luther. Of course, several years ago the birth of my children would also be noted in that list of Great Loves. In this past year since Luther's birth I have also had the great Joy of celebrating the college graduation of both Alexandria(actually last June) and Michael.
Today, I have actually experienced the "bittersweet" loss of Alexandria moving out and heading back East toward new opportunities. She has mostly been staying with me the past three and a half years. I'm sad at her moving so far but happy that she is stretching out into her future.
So I suppose that the next line in my title of this post would be "What's Next"!
So it has been a long time since I've been on here. Almost twelve months according to the timeline. It's not that I've been particularly inactive during this year. As a matter of fact probably quite the opposite would be true. It really is my belief that the path of looking at the world which this blog has reflected in the past has been pretty well stated. However the implementation of that path for each of us individually and as communal groups or nations is sometimes quite a bit more problematic.
The travels and experiences I've embarked upon this year have been varied but really seems as though they have been part of the same path. The first adventure of this 2012 was and still is seeing the growth of that great little soul of Luther Michael. He still hasn't learned "Granpa" but being in his presence has been great. Veronica and Adam have decided to plan a family end of the year/Thanksgiving getaway Next October. That will be to Kauai and will be just after Luther's 2nd birthday. Can't wait for that trip. I love that place and the Island Spirit. My other 2012 ventures have been, mostly with my special partner Judy, to the Mexican Riviera/Yucatan; Italy and especially Assisi the stomping grounds of Sts Francis and Claire; Laguna Beach California for Michael's college graduation (of course we had to make a quick stop in Las Vegas on the way :o)); the first "Wild Goose West" gathering in Corvallis, Oregon; and just recently a trip to Oahu. In November we will be heading back to Jamaica to the schools once again.
So what about this past years travels that is cohesive and demonstrable of my path. It's all about the children, island culture and the relationship between the ancient wisdom of the mystics and the ever emerging wisdom of creation. How's that for a mouthful? Richard has mentioned often the fact that Gods first Bible was "Creation" itself. In spite of all the problems in this world today I do believe that we are getting better as a species and honoring our past, the growth and the failures as well, is an important part of that "Bible".
This particular post is kind of a mix of several thoughts of mine over the past year so I am in hopes that there is a cohesiveness to it. In that vein the next section is a poem I composed a couple of months ago. The title is "Lucinda" and comes as a result of our Jamaican presentation at Grace's vacation bible school this past Summer. Our founder's daughter Lucinda from "Great Shape" is from Ashland and currently the "sparkplug" of much of our vibrancy in the outreach to the people of Jamaica. At the same presentation we heard from another "Lucinda"; A local doctor going to aid the people of Tanzania especially focused on natal care to new mothers. The thought occurred to me that those two names, unusual to me, just had to be significant in some way. As I reflected I learned that when you break down the meaning of the name it means "Beautiful Light". Hence below.
LUCINDA! LUCINDA! BEAUTIFUL BEARER OF LIGHT!
ON THIS MISTY MORNING…SHINE SHINE SHINE!
REVEAL THE MYSTERY AND BEAUTY OF WISDOM'S GRACE AND GLORY!
TEACH US THE PATH TO ONE LOVE COVERING OVER ALL!
LET US DO SOMETHING---
LET US CELEBRATE FREEDOM AS WE TILL CREATIONS FIELDS AND GATHER IN THE NETS SO FULL!
HELP US SHINE ON EACH OTHER
AND TO DISPELL THE SHADOWS AND SUFFERATION OF YOUR CHILDREN!
ISLAND CHILDREN HAVE A LESSON LEARNED!
HELP US ALL REALIZE THE EARTH IS ALSO AN ISLAND IN YOUR CREATION!
LET US HAVE NO MORE TROUBLE AS WE WORK TOGETHER FOR PEACE LOVE AND HARMONY!! Pax Christi! Roberto! PS - The picture reference above is to note that we can accomplish much with the proper footing and leverage :o)
