Welcome! Luther Michael Ward 10/06/11

This past week I have moved into my 67th year and my daughter Veronica presented me with a great gift to celebrate. At 0302 Thursday morning She and Adam gave birth to my new grandson. In the birth of my kids I was always in the delivery room so this was the first time I was limited to the "hallway, pacing mode". Alexandria gave me a birthday card which partly said that "wasn't it cool that I now had a "New Grasshopper" to share wisdom with". I appreciated the compliment and do look forward to being a great grandfather ..But.. I mean to share with her that isn't it also cool that Luther has a wise Aunt to share thoughts with her "Grasshopper" nephew! This has been a Great week! Surrounded with Wisdom and Love and New Life! All testaments to a great and transforming future. I don't know the outcome of 2012 but I do know that I'm ready for it. So what is the meaning of the picture on this post? I chose this huge cypress (I think) because it shows the link between all of creation. The roots are the nutrition for the rest of the organism and symbolizes the link between our past and the new birth (green foliage) which also is a necessary link in survival. The great circle of Life. Years ago I used to travel up to Mt Ashland several times a week during the winter. Sometimes with the window open I would reflect on how the evergreens gracing that mountain reminded me of "the Trinity". As a foundational precept of Christianity it is an important one to theologians trying to find examples of "three in one" in nature. One of the most common is envisioning water in its three stages of gas, solid, and liquid. An evergreen tree with its deep roots (The Father) and its above ground visible existence (The Son) and the scent of evergreen boughs in the gentle breeze (The Spirit) was another example of the precept to me. I suppose that a deciduous tree with its seemingly death and Resurrection would also be an appropriate symbol of our path through life (and beyond). Anyhow, Welcome to the world, Luther! Pax Christi! RV