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Today is Mom’s 94^th birthday. Glad to report she’s still here. I must admit out loud on this side of the grave that being alongside as she ages has its sadness and inconveniences.

And one thing I will miss immensely when she goes is that now I can brag to her without reservation. She listens and beams. My mother is the firstborn in her family too which she gently reminds me sometimes when we snarl. She has taught me to be full of myself after all.

Is this confessional or simply a statement of fact?

Readings

Thu – Mar 17 Daniel 3:19-30 Revelation 2:8-11 Psalm 63:1-8

My friend, Violeta, had surgery on her ankle yesterday. While she was hurt and waiting in pain for the next step, she found and then sent this special photo to me. It was taken at Holden Village five years ago when we first met.

I am grateful Violeta is now post-op and recovering, with her husband (who is pictured with us)—the fabulous nurse, Carlos, by her side.

Readings

Wed – Mar 16 2 Chronicles 20:1-22 Luke 13:22-31 Psalm 105:1-15 [16-41] 42

All of today’s readings mention the guiding pillar of fire God gave the Israelites as well as the food God gave to feed body and spirit.

Last night we welcomed Chef Ari into our home to teach us how to make pasta in honor of our birthday girl. Even Mom stayed the whole eight hours and made sense of it. We offered her a ride home at various intervals. But of course, who would choose to leave the presence of the fire of family and the promise of real and ethereal nourishment?

Readings

Tue – Mar 15 Numbers 14:10b-24 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Psalm 105:1-15 [16-41] 42

It’s Carolina’s 30th.

Lent or not, everywhere she goes is a love fest.

Readings

Mon – Mar 14 Exodus 33:1-6 Romans 4:1-12 Psalm 105:1-15 [16-41] 42

When I knew very little Spanish, this older one said my eyes were celeste, the blue of heaven. Forever after, I knew the value of cognates. I already knew the supreme value of children, all of them.

Yesterday, I saw a meme of two exquisitely beautiful boys. Each had journeyed by himself to a border. The light-skinned one was deemed a hero; the brown-skinned one was locked in a cage.

When the war began, I wondered, how will this too reflect institutional racism?

Readings

Sat – Mar 12 Psalm 118:26-29 Matthew 23:37-39 Psalm 27