What parts of my body do I treasure? All the parts that work!

Let me count the ways! There’s the love that comes from my wife, from family and friends, and the friendships that continue to blossom from people here and there. And I can’t forget my seemly growing cadre of medical practitioners who work to keep my heap of bones and flesh intact. And let’s not forget my four-footed pal, Gracie, our dog! That’s a good start to what could be a very long list.
– Kevin

I see difficulties in life as a part of life itself. They happen. And we either find a way to meet these challenges and deal with them as best we can, or, we succumb to them. And while I don’t think that I am any more resilient than the next person, at sixty-seven years of age, I am still here and still relish being in the game. That’s all I need to know.
– Kevin

Many, many things connect me with a sense of the sacred. Most consistently over the years it has been worshipping and interacting among fellow Quakers; working with children; being near to and on the water; photography; certain music and words; colors and light. The list could continue.
– Kevin

Well, since I have only been out of bed twenty minutes, I’m afraid not much! But since I have been given the gift of arriving at a brand new day, I’m guessing I will interact with one or two dozen people in the hours ahead and we shall see what opportunities arise.
– Kevin

At this absolute moment in my life I am not sensing that anything specific is ending. But all this could change by the time breakfast rolls around. For now, I am content not to beat the bushes looking for losses and endings.

But if someone asked me, “Where are the transitions in your life right now, Kevin,” the list would be long and running. And woven somewhere within that fabric of life the threads of endings and also beginnings reside.
– Kevin

When I have undertaken some kind of project or endeavor and have put time and various resources into making it happen then yes, I am optimistic about its outcome. I feel that it’s important to have some good energy and vibe attending to anything I may be undertaking, otherwise why bother? If there’s a pattern, it’s only because the optimism tends to accompany the activity or project I am doing at a given time.
– Kevin

That I need to reduce how much political news I am consuming. It’s giving me nightmares. And when I wake up the nightmare becomes real.

Safe to say that I have experienced forgiveness regularly in my life over the last 44 years from my wife. Nothing earth shattering on the surface, just the kinds of things that can drag down a marriage if not attended to from day to day.

Well, I try to remember some lines from those who have lived a good and long life who have come before me and have since passed on, like,
“Stay on the right side of grass.”
“Gravity wins in the end, so keep moving now!”
“You get to a certain age and it’s snip, stitch, patch and go!”

But my favorite, my none other than the late Mae West, who said, “I used to be Snow White, but then I drifted.”

Thank you, Mary….and I agree totally with the commonalities of our collective responses and yet experience them also through our own individual lives and circumstances. Though so far, no “refrigeration” for me!

And oh yes, Gracie says hello!

Hallelujah, my friend!

Thinking of you during these struggles, Ursula. What is it about family, anyway and everywhere, when words seem never enough, and too many, all at the same time?

Thanks very much, Anna. My very best to you also in what is now a new day too!

Christina, this is wonderful! We’re 5 hours by car out of NYC and its been some years since I white-knuckled driving my car through the madness of Manhattan. My wife and I are thinking about doing just what you described, perhaps in the fall once my back heals more from recent surgery.

Your reflection, Ose, has me thinking and looking at my desk-top clock that sits 20 inches or so on a long stand with a pendulum that slowly and silently rocks back and forth. Sometimes it carries me back and forth between thoughts, like now, as I think about what you have shared here…..

Thanks Julia, I pretty much do the same thing and avoid taking in any news first thing in the morning. And of course, I also enjoy spending time reading the blog stories on this site too!

Thank you for these words, Bill!