Moth Catcher

The novelty has worn off. I must be stern with myself about getting out the door in the early am to walk my morning mile despite the fact that I look forward to listening to music as I wander the pleasant grounds of the complex.

I open my eyes early enough, but shut them as I eke out every possible minute of sleep before I absolutely must make myself throw back the cover, swing my legs over the edge and hoist myself to an upright position. It's not hard to fall into my 'jogging' clothes since they are laid over the laundry basket next to the closet. I grab my walkman, keys, and hat and head out the door and down the stairs to the gray overcast skies and chilly air.

This morning's fare is the St Olaf Choir, a wide variety of musical styles and tempos. The first song boasts a moderate tempo, a good speed to begin my walk. I encounter fellow walkers, joggers and dog owners. We nod politely as we pass.

As I round the first corner heading towards the wooded areas, a small brown sparrow suddenly swoops in front of me, chasing a fluttering moth. They zig and zag, turning back on themselves, flying straight at me. I stand stock still, watching in fascination. It happened so fast that I'm not sure whether the swallow gave an extra spurt of speed, or the moth tired and slowed for a fraction of a second, but the swallow scooped up the moth in its beak, and pulled up seconds before it would have crashed into my chest.

I am a bit startled. The bird veers off into the woods with its prize, perhaps breakfast for its babies. I continue my trek around the loop, taken aback by the sudden encounter with destiny. One small life consumed for the benefit of another. The expression "dog eat dog" leapt to mind, and I couldn't help think of work situations where I watched one employee scramble for advancement at the expense of others.

I shudder at the ugliness of it, wetting my lips at the very thought of putting a moth in my mouth. I shake my head. The choir is very aptly singing Hear My Prayer O Lord by Henry Purcell, a winding sinuous song of lament. Thank goodness for the upcoming song City of Heaven - something with a little more encouragement vim and vigor!

He's Back!

Drew has been lost without his brother. When they were younger, Kiel didn't much appreciate his younger brother wanting to hang around with him. Now, Drew is catching up. Not just in height, where Drew has surpassed all the other boys, but in interests. Oh, there's still an element of admiration, but they share so many common interests - soccer, movies, games, swimming, eating. Eating! Good Lord! Who can keep up? For awhile, I thought perhaps if I bought a reasonable amount of food each day, I could control the overall budget drain. Not so. Food disappears from the larder faster than you can blink. These growing boys are still growing!

Kiel has felt somewhat dispossessed for the last few years. When he left for college, I lived in Illinois, then Connecticut, and now New York. He didn't make those moves as an integral part of the family, more as an outsider. This move was different. Even though I didn't realize he would be living with us again when I signed the new lease, he was part of the family unit when we moved in. He belongs again.

Though he loves the capital district and Adirondack areas, though he grew up there and his grandparents, father and brother still live there, it didn't feel like home to him this time. Maybe because his future doesn't lie there, maybe because he was mostly babysitting, maybe because he has moved on, for whatever reason, he felt less of a draw. A good place for a summer vacation, but not for him right now.

He hugged me when he bounced into the house Sunday night at nearly midnight. Its good to be home. Drew was happy to see him. Let's see how long the joy lasts!

Strangely Familiar

The last time I attended the Webster church was in 2002, right before I moved to Illinois. Even though I had driven there at least twice a week for several years to work with the choir, I looked up the directions, just in case. Things change, after all.

As soon as I turned onto 590N, it began to fall into place. Same exit ramp onto Bay Road, same tantalizing view from the bridge, same streets, same buildings. Right onto Klem Road, pull into the far drive and swing around behind the building. The same and yet different. There were new houses here and there, and once I entered the sanctuary, a brand new look. The platform had been modified, the piano was new, the decor gentler, the air - cooled! Hallelujah, air conditioning!

There was the choir - familiar faces, new faces - warming up, practicing anthems. I felt a twinge of jealousy watching a stranger conduct. The service was wonderful - so vibrant and alive. My heart rejoiced that this deserving community had not only survived, but was thriving and growing. Attendance was good, especially for an August service.

I looked around for people I had worked with. I don't always remember names, but faces stay with me. Some were there, others missing. I watched with amusement as people looked at me with puzzled glances, then amazement as they remembered me.

What a joy to be with family again, if only for a brief moment. How true what the interim pastor said - "Once you are part of a place, you always belong." And how encouraging that people were interested in PrayerSong. I believe there are several who will come and sing with us and others who will have us come to sing for loved ones with cancer.

As I passed out my recruiting flier, I lifted my heart in prayer for these wonderful people holding up the light of Christ in their corner of the world with such joy. What an interesting interwoven path we travel. Who would have guessed when first I met this choir that I would return years later and reconnect? How great is that!