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Lent 2024 – Penny

Every bike ride I hear comments about my helmet—“Nice lid” and “Like your helmet”—as I pass by. Wonder if they think I’m queer…or that I support all? Either way is fine with me.

A while back, my daughter asked, “Ever been attracted to women, Mom?” I don’t think so but I was curious and open to the possibility.

Last year, while traveling, I pondered her question. First, we traveled south from here and found more attractive Latinos. Next, to the Middle East, and the handsome Arab men started standing out. And later, on another trip, the tall, sturdy Norwegian guys. My word!

I’m one who notices. Why not? As they say, even though I’ve already ordered, I can still look at the menu.

It’s clear. I’m a 9 or 10 on a gay-straight continuum.

And while I might look, I never act. I’ve chosen my foxy man; he’s pedaling alongside.

Lent 2024 – Penny

I recently read over how I described myself in the introduction when I started these pages. Is mystic still the best description? Thinking of the proclaimed mystics, it definitely seems audacious. And yet, as a friend suggested, if I also claim my effervescence, as a “jolly mystic,” it fits.

This morning a special set of scriptures lined up from the Lectionary and I listened as my friends read them aloud: The story of Pharaoh’s daughter scooping baby Moses from the river, that the greatest gift is love, and the Transfiguration—Exodus 2:1-22, I Corinthians 12:27-13:13, and Mark 9:2-13.

And as I gave my attention over, I stepped aside. The ego of me, that is. Momentarily I was surrounded and filled with Light, inside and out.

I am reminded of the adage, “We practice what we believe, until we believe what we practice.” In honor of those blessed points of time, esoteric and fleeting, too great to be described in mere words anyway, I bow in awe.

As best I can tell, I am a jolly Christian mystic. I so pray.