only fair

I was coming home from Virginia and the flight was overbooked. Two young members of the Navy were next to me in the hall and we were talking. One had been at sea for four months and going home for part of her leave to see her Grandmother. It was the last four days she had. The other was pregnant and her husband was already with her family in Texas. She was based at Little Creek, on land, and only had a week of leave. The airline threatened, that's the only way I can put it, that they would bump the last five to check in. I told the young women that if either of them were bumped and I was already on the plane, here was my name, I'd give them my seat. Even though I wanted to be home it seemed only right that they have a first chance.
We all got on the plane.

We have opportunities to do little deeds of kindness. The women were both touched that I would consider doing that for them. There were other military folk there too, I could have done it for them as well. It seems only fair.

Three nights before my daughter and I watched a Navy carrier set out to sea, you could see the lights clearly from our hotel on the beach. I thought of all of those who wouldn't see their loved ones for some months...

My uncle Edgar told a story of his coming home from WWII to meet his son for the first time. Evans was eating a cookie. Edgar didn't want to scare him and sat down and Evans came over and offered him a bite of his cookie. The first time they had interacted since he had been born 20 months before. Edgar said, with tears in his eyes, that was THE BEST COOKIE I ever had.

It's New Year's Eve here. We will 'ring' in a new time and of course some of us will make resolutions. We make Intentions here at the McGarey house. What are your intentions for this coming year? How will you make it better than the last year? What will you do for a stranger? A friend? A colleague?

Think about it, pray about it, write it down and make it your own.
God bless you all in 2008/

Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2007

oceans

I am in Virginia for two days visiting my Aunt and Uncle and Cousins as I always did growing up at Christmastime. The hotel Betsy and I are in overlooks the ocean. Last night it was calm with gentle waves that broke a distance from shore. We could see the lights of ocean liners coming toward Norfork, VA --commerce continues.
This morning we woke to a storm, wind, rain, gray skies and the fog coming in so we can't see as far out as we could. It is beautiful to watch the waves powerful and churning. Ever changing in their patterns. Awesome
Two years ago when John and I went to Bali, Indonesia, the waves there predictable and long slow surfing type breakers.
This reminds me - the only thing constant is change. I had a dream telling that to someone last night. It's true. Surely a lesson we can learn from the ocean. Each wave unique, as we all are unique wanting so much to be as everyone else, we are instead individuals.
Or, perhaps I should say we are indeed, individuals.
As the Christmastide moves forward let's plan how we can in the time ahead live our lives as the individual creative, loved, people we are. How will you do that?

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2007
Joy to the world.... sing on...

Ready or Not

Chris Armstrong in Christian History magazine wrote. " in the protected, quiet times of meditation, I can respond as I imagine believers have done on every Advent since the tradition began:

I can bow my head and prepare my heart to receive the One who is always present, but who seems distant in the busyness of the season.

I can mourn for my hardness of heart.

I can hope in God's grace.

And I can rejoice that in answer to the cry, "O come, O come, Emmanuel," he came."

Amen Chris, let it be so. What a great summary of how many feel during this time of year. The to-do lists weigh us down like heavy snow. The must-buys' and the oh my's all add up and our nerves quiver with the electricity of actions. We make choices, wonder about them, and then go on. Did my uncle really want this. And when my cousins said we weren't going to buy presents for each other, were they serious or will they have a little something for us and us not anything but ourselves?

I hope in God's that what I receive is the fullness of God's mercy and the energy to pass it on.

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2007

Are you ok?

We want to keep in touch this time of year. In touch with people who are important to us, in touch with tradition and whatever that looks like for us, and in touch with memories that can make us laugh and cry at the same time.

We want to believe that Goodness reigns in the world and that somehow the forces for Good will be kindness and compassion toward everyone. We know, from experience, from someone telling us, and from being human that doesn't always happen and that people can be just as hurtful this time of year as any other.

We do what we can to bring smiles and compassion and hope and joy and peace.

What can you do today to make that better..to make the world a better place for the children who have come into our lives..for the treasures who have lived a long time with joy.. Think about it...and do it.

Remember the '60's song... Get Together? Here are the lyrics. Come on people now, smile on each other... everybody get together and love one another right now.

http://lyricalwisdom.wordpress.com/full-lyrics/get-together/

God abides
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2007

I got an email note from Jen H. a young woman I hadn't heard from in some time. I lost her email that she sent me but will try different configurations to get in touch with her.

Standing Knee deep

Martina McBride, (i think) sings, Standing Knee deep in the river dying of thirst. It is not a new song but a message in these days we should hear.
There are really too many times in our lives when the river of busyness and chaos rises and at a time like this we need rely on the strength of friends. Who are there, associates who also could use a friend. Family waiting to hear from us and help us and stand with us.
Don't try and stand in those kinds of times in your life alone...because around are all kinds of people who are willing to stand there with you if that's what you want from them. Or ... they may even pull you out.

Blessings in the busyness of The Advent Season
God abides
Whew! and Sigh!

Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2007

AIDS Day

December 1 is World AIDS day. I write about it today because we need to pray and consider the tragedy of this disease. Pray for the several million AIDS orphans who are growing up with little help.
What else on this first Advent Sunday can we be in prayer about:
--Fair water access
add your own..

Blessings
God abides
More later today
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2007