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Facebook is reminding me that 7 years ago I administered the Heimlich maneuver on my mother when she choked across the table from me during a picnic. Because I inadvertently squeezed the emergency pendant she wore at the time, the EMT onsite came running over to check on her.

Fast forward to now. She has been issued a pendant at her assisted living home which she has misplaced. We are considering putting a camera in her room so she can be viewed from outside. She is reticent about this idea.

Meanwhile I am glad she has not misplaced her new hearing aids. Even though she questions whether she really needs them, we believe they are devices from which she can benefit. I am not sure the other technologies are, nor is she. But do they help us rest-assured? Is there such a thing when her aging doesn’t slow for a second? And we know no one gets out of this alive?

Summer’s here and masks are off. Thanks to my favorite plumber, nothing is leaking in our aging bodies or houses, for the time being at least. The new kitchen faucet at the beach is the fanciest appliance in the place.  Plus, the upper deck is freshly stained and enough weed whacking is done for guests to park. Bring ‘em on. Good riddance, Pandemic. 

Last week JoAn came to my home. She is 90. Spry and sharp. She lived in the house next to ours in the late 40’s—a surprise to both of us. JoAn perched on our red ottoman while we poured over the beloved faces in the old paper directories from the cathedral.

How’s that for church family?

I bought an elephant for my grandniece’s upcoming birthday, thinking her Mom (my niece) could use it in her counseling office too. After all, visualizing is a step to naming “The Elephant in the Room,” right?

So I went to visit little Bennett. I was happily maskless and inside her home. Then I spied her pachyderm. Looks like B might have everything she could ever need already. But, ah ha, I don’t. This stuffie is staying right here with me. They’re* soft, cuddly and downright necessary sometimes.

*Ele has let me know their pronouns are they/them. I’m glad they told me this. Using the correct pronouns with my friends helps strengthen our friendship.

(After monthly meeting of Jewels, my creativity circle)

Spirit, Oh Spirit.

We wash with love, peel with love, cook with love.

We pause for love, turn vegetables for love, press the smoke alarm off for love.

We speak and ask questions about love.

We enjoy and listen in love then watch and stretch into love.

We radiate ourselves as love.

Heavenly Dove and Solid Ground holding me. Show me the way to discerning, worshipful prayers. I know words are my medium. Thanks for making this obvious. Thanks for and bless these women. Help me trust deeply.

Lovely,

Amen