I touched on sacrifice yesterday. In a sense we are to die to self, take up our cross, sacrifice. But the Bible says we are to be a living sacrifice. We climb up on the altar, maybe every day. You know why? Because we are still alive. A live sacrifice can crawl right off the altar.
How do I do this? Do I do this? Am I sacrificing myself? I am learning this year to be where I am serving God. As my work load increased and I spent less time writing, too weary to wake early to write or stay up late this winter as my body rebelled against my wishes, I felt I must put my best into nursing. Right now, my sacrifice is my time for writing.
OK, but what about me? The writing, the dream is on that altar, but did I put myself there? How was my attitude? Did I serve my patients, my superiors without complaining? Hide behind that bush, stringing those fig leaves, No, I did not have the attitude required of totally turning it all over to God.
This is a process, like training for the long race. Every day, I prayed to give myself up to God. I needed to lift up my burden of being in control, my burden of myself and take Jesus' yoke and burden. Jesus understands our weak bodies. Even in the Psalms it speaks of how God remembers we are weak, dust. He loves us, me. Maybe the most in my weakest state, because that is when He can work best through me.
As I pray for revival, I know it must begin in me. I don't have the tools to strap myself on the altar, I must stay there of my own free will. The Lord will provide what I need. In fact, He has in His own sacrifice on the cross. He is my righteousness, at which God looks.
Pentecost is celebrated tomorrow. Also Memorial Day will be honored here in the United States. Let Pentecost not be a memorial day, but a living day, that lives in your living sacrifice. Be filled with the Pentecost spirit, the Holy Spirit, that gives life and power to the living sacrifice.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Another Isaac Story
An illustration of Abraham searching for a wife so Isaac will not marry one of the local women is more
Rebekah's story than Isaac's. This is one of the most romantic chapters in the Bible, Genesis 24. It should be our story as well, as God seeks us, we should be willing to respond quickly.
The servant ventures to Abraham's land of his relatives, where he left. As he stops, he prays a specific prayer for the woman to not only give him water, but offer to water the camels as well. The prayer of Abraham's servant is answered while he is still praying for the right woman to be shown to him. Rebekah displays kindness by not only giving the servant water, but watering the camels as well, as the servant requested. When she revealed her identity as Abraham's great niece, the servant immediately fell to the ground to worship God.
Rebekah eagerly told the traveler about her home. A room is ready for him with plenty of straw and food for the camels as well. The brother, Laban, ran out to invite him in. Mideastern hospitality is the best I hear.
The urgency of the matter comes forth before the servant sits down to eat. He wants them to know he is looking for a wife for his master's son. The whole Abrahamic story is told, as well as the need for a suitable wife for this rich man's son. They see the wealth and are given fine gifts. They agree to allow Rebekah to leave and marry Isaac.
The servant rests the night, but early the next morning, he chomps at the bit to get going. His mission is very successful. Rebekah's brother and mother want her to stay ten days, but the servant is compelled to return. They asked Rebekah, she is ready to go. Her destiny awaits.
When I was ready to marry David, I could hardly wait to fulfill that need to be his wife. We first planned a later date of July 31, his birthday. I thought I don't want to wait that long, we need to get started now, as soon as I graduate from nursing school, which we did, the very next day.
David worried that I would miss my family as we moved eight hours away. I had no such fears, I was clinging to my husband. A woman was to do this, actually the Bible says a man will leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife. But our vows say forsaking all others. This is just not in an adultery sense, but in all sense. Just as we are not to put anything before God, our mates should come first in our lives, after God.
The eagerness of a new bride, the readiness of Rebekah, should mark the Christian's life. Marriage is the perfect metaphor of the relationship of Christ and the Church. That sacrifice is both parties giving up life, self for the other. Because of love, the immediacy of responding to the call leaves no regrets.
Rebekah's story than Isaac's. This is one of the most romantic chapters in the Bible, Genesis 24. It should be our story as well, as God seeks us, we should be willing to respond quickly.
The servant ventures to Abraham's land of his relatives, where he left. As he stops, he prays a specific prayer for the woman to not only give him water, but offer to water the camels as well. The prayer of Abraham's servant is answered while he is still praying for the right woman to be shown to him. Rebekah displays kindness by not only giving the servant water, but watering the camels as well, as the servant requested. When she revealed her identity as Abraham's great niece, the servant immediately fell to the ground to worship God.
Rebekah eagerly told the traveler about her home. A room is ready for him with plenty of straw and food for the camels as well. The brother, Laban, ran out to invite him in. Mideastern hospitality is the best I hear.
The urgency of the matter comes forth before the servant sits down to eat. He wants them to know he is looking for a wife for his master's son. The whole Abrahamic story is told, as well as the need for a suitable wife for this rich man's son. They see the wealth and are given fine gifts. They agree to allow Rebekah to leave and marry Isaac.
The servant rests the night, but early the next morning, he chomps at the bit to get going. His mission is very successful. Rebekah's brother and mother want her to stay ten days, but the servant is compelled to return. They asked Rebekah, she is ready to go. Her destiny awaits.
When I was ready to marry David, I could hardly wait to fulfill that need to be his wife. We first planned a later date of July 31, his birthday. I thought I don't want to wait that long, we need to get started now, as soon as I graduate from nursing school, which we did, the very next day.
David worried that I would miss my family as we moved eight hours away. I had no such fears, I was clinging to my husband. A woman was to do this, actually the Bible says a man will leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife. But our vows say forsaking all others. This is just not in an adultery sense, but in all sense. Just as we are not to put anything before God, our mates should come first in our lives, after God.
The eagerness of a new bride, the readiness of Rebekah, should mark the Christian's life. Marriage is the perfect metaphor of the relationship of Christ and the Church. That sacrifice is both parties giving up life, self for the other. Because of love, the immediacy of responding to the call leaves no regrets.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Laying Your Isaac Down
Laying down a dream is an age old requirement it seems of God. He called Abraham back in Genesis to sacrifice the long promised son, the dream of his life. Abraham waited fifteen years for the son of the promise. He and Sarah tried to force the dream to come sooner with disaster still felt today. He finally has what God told him he would have and then as he grows very attached to the dream given to him by God, God asks him to give it back!
What? Give it back? Why does God put dreams in our hearts, then require we abandon them for Him? Because we are to have no other gods before Him.
My dream of writing has been a long one since childhood, but I only played with it. The talent given me by God helped me through many classes in all my schools, even nursing school. I loved writing, but not typing with the old typewriters. My mother often typed up all my reports, even, my mother-in-law helped me once with a paper for my community college class. I envied the ease with which these secretaries typed. So, with life, I kept my day job, became a wife and mother, caregiver to my mother and wrote copious words in volumes of journals.
A job I grew to detest did improve my keyboard skills. Finally, being able to afford a computer, knowing even what to get, encouraged the writing more. Praying over my writing, feeling God has given me stories to tell, I continue to hone my craft, the talent from God.
I started though to get obsessed with getting noticed, published, creating a platform. I spent more time reading on the glitzy ideas than writing. My job got busy, my health started to decline, life seemed to throw me one curve ball after another. I wanted the fame, but deep down, maybe not to honor God in the way I should. He wanted my all, not just a nod in His direction.
Phil Vischer in his book, Me, Myself and Bob, gives the story of his rise in Veggie Tale fame, living his dream, but he forgot God along the way. Mismanagement lost his company, but he also had to realize he really wasn't following God like at first. He felt superior to other people, like the grocery store clerk, treating her like a non person. His dream had to go, to be restored by God later. Now he has a wonderful video series, What's in the Bible? that teaches kids(and adults) what's in the Bible very clearly with puppets! Humorously, as well.
So what is your Isaac? What do you have to lay down for God to pick up, give a renewal to your life, and perspective on the dream? Give it back to God. Put Him first in your life. Let Him know you love Him with all your heart, mind, body and soul. Lay your Isaac down.
What? Give it back? Why does God put dreams in our hearts, then require we abandon them for Him? Because we are to have no other gods before Him.
My dream of writing has been a long one since childhood, but I only played with it. The talent given me by God helped me through many classes in all my schools, even nursing school. I loved writing, but not typing with the old typewriters. My mother often typed up all my reports, even, my mother-in-law helped me once with a paper for my community college class. I envied the ease with which these secretaries typed. So, with life, I kept my day job, became a wife and mother, caregiver to my mother and wrote copious words in volumes of journals.
A job I grew to detest did improve my keyboard skills. Finally, being able to afford a computer, knowing even what to get, encouraged the writing more. Praying over my writing, feeling God has given me stories to tell, I continue to hone my craft, the talent from God.
I started though to get obsessed with getting noticed, published, creating a platform. I spent more time reading on the glitzy ideas than writing. My job got busy, my health started to decline, life seemed to throw me one curve ball after another. I wanted the fame, but deep down, maybe not to honor God in the way I should. He wanted my all, not just a nod in His direction.
Phil Vischer in his book, Me, Myself and Bob, gives the story of his rise in Veggie Tale fame, living his dream, but he forgot God along the way. Mismanagement lost his company, but he also had to realize he really wasn't following God like at first. He felt superior to other people, like the grocery store clerk, treating her like a non person. His dream had to go, to be restored by God later. Now he has a wonderful video series, What's in the Bible? that teaches kids(and adults) what's in the Bible very clearly with puppets! Humorously, as well.
So what is your Isaac? What do you have to lay down for God to pick up, give a renewal to your life, and perspective on the dream? Give it back to God. Put Him first in your life. Let Him know you love Him with all your heart, mind, body and soul. Lay your Isaac down.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Draw Your Chalk Circle
As I'm posting on revival this week, I want you to know it must start with me. For a long time, about seven years, I have let a bitter root grow and bind me in my soul. I could laugh, but I struggled with my life's circumstance. I wasn't happy with a husband who worked away during the week. This spread to being unhappy with everything in my life. Either I was angry or totally blah.
My tongue grew very sharp, saying words I hadn't said in years. They just came so easily to the surface as my anger grew. I lived road rage. I made gestures as I smiled in my voice on the cell phone to my superiors at work.
I hate to admit this, but sometimes, even the people I was to help, I despised. I didn't want to be bothered. I wanted to retreat into myself.
And the nagging thought continued, I'm so far from God. I'm not who I used to be. I can't perform. I have failed. I continued to hang steadfastly to my savior. I hung by a string, but it proved stronger than any stainless steel. I really had to believe Jesus always loved me, always will. His word says, He will never leave me or forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love.
A crisis in our family this spring has miraculously brought my husband and I closer than we have been in a long time. I experienced heart palpitations, rapid heart rate and a feeling of deep fatigue. I hardly climbed the few steps in my house, then leaned against the wall as the blood surged through my body. The determination after tests was I'm anemic and surprise, have low iron. I also knew I was depressed, so hesitantly initiated Zoloft.
All the experiences, knowledge, faith I had seemed slowly ebbing away, but they remained. I knew the promises from all those years of reading my Bible, as well as actual freshness in my faith. I knew it, but my body seemed to rebel. I surrendered every morning, especially in the shower to God's control. Yet, I continued to feel the burden of life. I didn't understand. If I believed why was my body responding so poorly to all the stress?
I have lived with stress for a very long time. My mother's cancer. My father dying way too soon. Raising children, working full time. Being a nurse. Yet, I always seemed to bounce from it. I took care of myself. Ate mostly right and enjoyed it. I walked. I prayed. I sang praises. This winter the cares seemed to attack my body.
I have opened more to God. I more freely confess my sins. Sunday morning as I prayed at home, I said, "I love You." as I haven't for a long time.
I must say one thing with all this, not only have I lost the bitter root, that I often asked to be removed, I'm also losing weight.
Revival must start with the individual. Prayer of a few can bring it about. I have drawn the chalk circle around me and asked that what is in that circle be changed.
My tongue grew very sharp, saying words I hadn't said in years. They just came so easily to the surface as my anger grew. I lived road rage. I made gestures as I smiled in my voice on the cell phone to my superiors at work.
I hate to admit this, but sometimes, even the people I was to help, I despised. I didn't want to be bothered. I wanted to retreat into myself.
And the nagging thought continued, I'm so far from God. I'm not who I used to be. I can't perform. I have failed. I continued to hang steadfastly to my savior. I hung by a string, but it proved stronger than any stainless steel. I really had to believe Jesus always loved me, always will. His word says, He will never leave me or forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love.
A crisis in our family this spring has miraculously brought my husband and I closer than we have been in a long time. I experienced heart palpitations, rapid heart rate and a feeling of deep fatigue. I hardly climbed the few steps in my house, then leaned against the wall as the blood surged through my body. The determination after tests was I'm anemic and surprise, have low iron. I also knew I was depressed, so hesitantly initiated Zoloft.
All the experiences, knowledge, faith I had seemed slowly ebbing away, but they remained. I knew the promises from all those years of reading my Bible, as well as actual freshness in my faith. I knew it, but my body seemed to rebel. I surrendered every morning, especially in the shower to God's control. Yet, I continued to feel the burden of life. I didn't understand. If I believed why was my body responding so poorly to all the stress?
I have lived with stress for a very long time. My mother's cancer. My father dying way too soon. Raising children, working full time. Being a nurse. Yet, I always seemed to bounce from it. I took care of myself. Ate mostly right and enjoyed it. I walked. I prayed. I sang praises. This winter the cares seemed to attack my body.
I have opened more to God. I more freely confess my sins. Sunday morning as I prayed at home, I said, "I love You." as I haven't for a long time.
I must say one thing with all this, not only have I lost the bitter root, that I often asked to be removed, I'm also losing weight.
Revival must start with the individual. Prayer of a few can bring it about. I have drawn the chalk circle around me and asked that what is in that circle be changed.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Cool of the Evening
In my pleasure of Poland Forest, I do not want you to think I have lost my love of Buhl Farm Park down the street from me. Both expressions of beauty enthrall me. The wild forest, the hearty wild flowers, the green underbrush, the untamed land of a forest beckon me to explore.
The well trimmed trees, the planted roses of the Rose Garden or as it was named, the Sunken Garden, recently.
All the well cared for flowers are wonderful. The evening sun throwing shadows on the expanse of manicured lawn of Buhl Farm thrills me as I stroll in the evening.
Genesis chapter three comes to mind. God walks in the Garden of Eden, in the cool of the evening. I see the light filter through the trees with golden curtains of light. Adam and Eve had eaten of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They are hiding from God. Did they play hide and seek before this with God as innocent children?
There are many questions about the beginning. I had heard the Garden of Eden was a very large area of land. Was it manicured or wild or both? I wonder how long Adam and Eve played in the Garden before the serpent showed up to tempt them. I do imagine they delighted in God's visits, as He rejoiced in His creation, sweet communion. The verse of God searching for them intrigues mankind. He is on the look out for His children.
Jesus' mission on Earth was to seek and save what was lost. Over and over again, we read how He determined to talk to individuals; Matthew, a tax collector, as well as another, Zacchaeus. There are no chance encounters with the Lord.
Today, Jesus is still on the trail of sinners and saints alike. Don't hide behind fig leaves of good deeds. The Church has to open to the voice of the Holy Spirit, as He calls for her in the cool of the day. Wake up to the presence of Jesus in our midst. He's always there, open our eyes.
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| Fountain in Rose Garden |
All the well cared for flowers are wonderful. The evening sun throwing shadows on the expanse of manicured lawn of Buhl Farm thrills me as I stroll in the evening.Genesis chapter three comes to mind. God walks in the Garden of Eden, in the cool of the evening. I see the light filter through the trees with golden curtains of light. Adam and Eve had eaten of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They are hiding from God. Did they play hide and seek before this with God as innocent children?
There are many questions about the beginning. I had heard the Garden of Eden was a very large area of land. Was it manicured or wild or both? I wonder how long Adam and Eve played in the Garden before the serpent showed up to tempt them. I do imagine they delighted in God's visits, as He rejoiced in His creation, sweet communion. The verse of God searching for them intrigues mankind. He is on the look out for His children.
Jesus' mission on Earth was to seek and save what was lost. Over and over again, we read how He determined to talk to individuals; Matthew, a tax collector, as well as another, Zacchaeus. There are no chance encounters with the Lord.
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| Looks like a fairy tale |
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| Summer Sunset over Lake Julia |
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| The Gazebo at the top of the Kite Field |
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| The Casino |
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| Inside the Sunken Garden |
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Wedding Preparations
Years ago I found a Bible study, prayer guide for the ten days between the Ascension of Jesus and Pentecost. The disciples were in intense prayer for those ten days and this guide suggested the same for modern day Christians. I'd say at least for sixteen years I have been praying for revival of the Church universal with different prompts.
One I'm reading this year is Asleep in the Land of Nod. God banished Cain to the land of Nod after he killed his brother. Nod in Hebrew means wandering. It is also interesting in our language, it is a movement of the head, often times when a person is falling asleep. For me, this may often look more like whiplash in a lecture. But is the Church asleep? Many say so.
In this devotional, one day, the analogy of the Church being the Bride is used. The author, David Butt, has a vision, but the Bride is not at the altar. She is too busy doing pre-wedding chores. Is she thinking about the marriage?
I have often said today it seems the brides plan a wedding, but not a marriage. I may be a little rough there, but I wonder at all the fanciness and the high divorce rate. It seems easy to get caught up in "my day."
I was nine days away from my wedding thirty years ago. My time was spent studying as I was also finishing up nursing school. And much frolicking with my classmates and my high school friends. I kept the planning as simple as possible. I had my wedding dress made, having fun with a lady from church, driving over to a big Joanne Fabrics in Liberty Township in January. We looked over patterns and picked out material. Being with an older lady, who had been my Sunday School teacher, also prepared me for marriage with her wisdom and common sense.
My mother's garden club made all my flower arrangements. Two of the ladies shopped with me at the old Valley View for the silk flowers. The club brought pot luck and made the bouquets and boutonnieres on our dining room table. My mother, in a wheelchair, then, was able to participate. Again, I was surrounded by older women with advice. I listened.
Grandma Evans, angry at my leaving my poor sick mother, forgot my twenty first birthday. I knew though if I gave up my plans for the future, my mother would give up living. She lived for twenty six years after our wedding. Grandma did come to my wedding.
I planned my day, but all I could think about was my life with David. Being a housekeeper, participating in fun activities and anticipating life in Connecticut with my future husband. And with my plans being simple, I enjoyed the last days with my friends and my family. I do not remember being stressed. I think Myltreda Truby was, as she had to arrange the wedding dinner with my open invitations. Maybe that was selfish. I didn't want to exclude anyone. Four hundred people signed the guest book. A judge, a doctor, several ministers and David's old girlfriend were some of the surprises.
All this to say besides writing this for my enjoyment of memory lane, is the Church needs to not be busy with activities, but preparing for the Bridegroom to return. She needs to enjoy her life, but also look forward to life in Heaven, the wedding feast. As David had to return from Connecticut to take me away to our home, so Jesus is returning for His Bride to take her home. How ready are you? Wake up and make sure you are ready for the Bridegroom.
One I'm reading this year is Asleep in the Land of Nod. God banished Cain to the land of Nod after he killed his brother. Nod in Hebrew means wandering. It is also interesting in our language, it is a movement of the head, often times when a person is falling asleep. For me, this may often look more like whiplash in a lecture. But is the Church asleep? Many say so.
In this devotional, one day, the analogy of the Church being the Bride is used. The author, David Butt, has a vision, but the Bride is not at the altar. She is too busy doing pre-wedding chores. Is she thinking about the marriage?
I have often said today it seems the brides plan a wedding, but not a marriage. I may be a little rough there, but I wonder at all the fanciness and the high divorce rate. It seems easy to get caught up in "my day."
I was nine days away from my wedding thirty years ago. My time was spent studying as I was also finishing up nursing school. And much frolicking with my classmates and my high school friends. I kept the planning as simple as possible. I had my wedding dress made, having fun with a lady from church, driving over to a big Joanne Fabrics in Liberty Township in January. We looked over patterns and picked out material. Being with an older lady, who had been my Sunday School teacher, also prepared me for marriage with her wisdom and common sense.
My mother's garden club made all my flower arrangements. Two of the ladies shopped with me at the old Valley View for the silk flowers. The club brought pot luck and made the bouquets and boutonnieres on our dining room table. My mother, in a wheelchair, then, was able to participate. Again, I was surrounded by older women with advice. I listened.
Grandma Evans, angry at my leaving my poor sick mother, forgot my twenty first birthday. I knew though if I gave up my plans for the future, my mother would give up living. She lived for twenty six years after our wedding. Grandma did come to my wedding.
I planned my day, but all I could think about was my life with David. Being a housekeeper, participating in fun activities and anticipating life in Connecticut with my future husband. And with my plans being simple, I enjoyed the last days with my friends and my family. I do not remember being stressed. I think Myltreda Truby was, as she had to arrange the wedding dinner with my open invitations. Maybe that was selfish. I didn't want to exclude anyone. Four hundred people signed the guest book. A judge, a doctor, several ministers and David's old girlfriend were some of the surprises.
All this to say besides writing this for my enjoyment of memory lane, is the Church needs to not be busy with activities, but preparing for the Bridegroom to return. She needs to enjoy her life, but also look forward to life in Heaven, the wedding feast. As David had to return from Connecticut to take me away to our home, so Jesus is returning for His Bride to take her home. How ready are you? Wake up and make sure you are ready for the Bridegroom.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
College Graduation
My brother's girl, Sarah, my godchild, graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. A glorious, California day in PA. I'm serious. The sky could not have been bluer than those clear skies and as we sat in the shade, we hardly felt the 80 degree weather.
Parking was almost impossible in this little town. I hoped with it being Saturday, the police would waive the two hour parking limit. I found a spot for the minivan only two blocks away. With the weather being so fine, a stroll to the college felt great. I noted two restaurants we frequented many years ago are now a gift shop and a hair salon. The third is abandoned. The Tavern, though, is still going strong, it seems.
An orchestra played music in front of Old Main. Many people in chairs set up on the lawn. I wandered looking for my sister-in-law, Jody. I'd see a woman with shoulder length black hair, but then it wouldn't be her. I walked past their row twice and they were seated on the end I edged by. Then again, they didn't see me.
I sat by my brother, Dan, wearing a long sleeve dress shirt, but not a suit coat. Prudent for a sunny day. Sarah's best friend, Kelly, was beside me. Then Jody and the other godmother, Judy, also came, of course. And Grandpa Iannari ended the row.
I observed all the styles. The families that came to commemorate their children's milestone. Elegant dresses to sun dresses or pants like most of us. The men in suits, to dress shirts, to some young men in shorts. Grandpas, grandmas, little brothers and sisters all waiting.
Pomp and Circumstance played and played, first by the organ, then some horns, then back to the organ, as the faculty, then graduates filed to the front of Old Main. Jody ran up to get a picture of Sarah. I caught of glimpse of her, with her natural blond hair, curled. A tween boy two rows ahead, started waving at his relative. He had been sleeping before. This scene touched my heart.
The president of the college welcomed us and those relatives here in spirit, as I thought of Mom, Dad and Joanne watching the youngest granddaughter on this great day. The speeches didn't drag on. The honorary degree recipient, graduated in 1980(a senior when I was a freshman nurse with the purse), mentioned a scientist she was teaching students about and they knew him from The Big Bang Theory. Jody did as well.
I studied from where all the students hailed. Mostly very close here in Pennsylvania and Ohio. When I knew people from the college back in 1979-80, many claimed Long Island or New Jersey as their home. This year two were from Salt Lake City, UT, with the same last name, a few from New York and one from Florida.
Kelly snapped a picture of Sarah right after she got her diploma. Soon, it was on Facebook and Sarah was texting her. Oh, these modern times I love. Actions we only partially imagined are common place for the twenty-somethings.
The teaching staff lined the walkway as the new graduates exited the platform. Clapping could be heard. This reminded me of St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland. They mentioned the convocation they had for the freshman class here, as I witnessed the one for Katie. I thought if she had graduated from St. John's, how the temperature would have been so much hotter.
Overall, this ceremony was beautiful, full of tradition and elegance. I was thankful for the fine weather, as I may not have been able to witness it, if it had to be inside. To all the graduates of 2012, I wish Godspeed and blessings.
Parking was almost impossible in this little town. I hoped with it being Saturday, the police would waive the two hour parking limit. I found a spot for the minivan only two blocks away. With the weather being so fine, a stroll to the college felt great. I noted two restaurants we frequented many years ago are now a gift shop and a hair salon. The third is abandoned. The Tavern, though, is still going strong, it seems.
An orchestra played music in front of Old Main. Many people in chairs set up on the lawn. I wandered looking for my sister-in-law, Jody. I'd see a woman with shoulder length black hair, but then it wouldn't be her. I walked past their row twice and they were seated on the end I edged by. Then again, they didn't see me.
I sat by my brother, Dan, wearing a long sleeve dress shirt, but not a suit coat. Prudent for a sunny day. Sarah's best friend, Kelly, was beside me. Then Jody and the other godmother, Judy, also came, of course. And Grandpa Iannari ended the row.
I observed all the styles. The families that came to commemorate their children's milestone. Elegant dresses to sun dresses or pants like most of us. The men in suits, to dress shirts, to some young men in shorts. Grandpas, grandmas, little brothers and sisters all waiting.
Pomp and Circumstance played and played, first by the organ, then some horns, then back to the organ, as the faculty, then graduates filed to the front of Old Main. Jody ran up to get a picture of Sarah. I caught of glimpse of her, with her natural blond hair, curled. A tween boy two rows ahead, started waving at his relative. He had been sleeping before. This scene touched my heart.
The president of the college welcomed us and those relatives here in spirit, as I thought of Mom, Dad and Joanne watching the youngest granddaughter on this great day. The speeches didn't drag on. The honorary degree recipient, graduated in 1980(a senior when I was a freshman nurse with the purse), mentioned a scientist she was teaching students about and they knew him from The Big Bang Theory. Jody did as well.
I studied from where all the students hailed. Mostly very close here in Pennsylvania and Ohio. When I knew people from the college back in 1979-80, many claimed Long Island or New Jersey as their home. This year two were from Salt Lake City, UT, with the same last name, a few from New York and one from Florida.
Kelly snapped a picture of Sarah right after she got her diploma. Soon, it was on Facebook and Sarah was texting her. Oh, these modern times I love. Actions we only partially imagined are common place for the twenty-somethings.
The teaching staff lined the walkway as the new graduates exited the platform. Clapping could be heard. This reminded me of St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland. They mentioned the convocation they had for the freshman class here, as I witnessed the one for Katie. I thought if she had graduated from St. John's, how the temperature would have been so much hotter.
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| Sarah Jean Lewis |
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| Proud parents and daughter |
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| Old Main |
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