Aug 08 2007
Celebrate!
Forty-three years ago, a young Second Lieutenant asssigned to Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington,
waited impatiently for his soon-to-be bride to make her way down the aisle of the modest chapel.
Today, therefore, is a day of celebration on which I recognize that it was then that I was irrecovably
changed from an arrogant New York bachelor to the less arrogant husband, father, grandfather,
and friend that I am becoming.
Yes, it’s a day of celebration. I recieved an e-mail from the publisher that my second book of poetry,
“Ice Dance: Beyond the Grief,” is ready for production; despite procrastinating, I drafted a letter as
president of my son’s school parent-teacher association for the returning and new parents appealing
for wider participation; and prepared a schedule for a weekend workshop I plan to conduct on
“Grief, Loss, and Healing.”(My son doesn’t know this but I also plan to take him out for dinner and movie.)
So you see, life can be a celebration, if we so will.
Speaking of movies, I heartily recommend “Peaceful Warrior,” especially if you have yet to conclude that life
is a paradox, humor must be incorporated in the experience, and that all is change.
I wrote the following poem as I observed the ritual of Saturdays here at the beach.
“Saturdays”
Saturdays are days for
Departures and arrivals,
Farewells and welcomes –
At the beach at least.
Cars overloaded
With supplies pull in,
Empty into embraces,
Greetings, exuberance.
Then that day foreboding
Arrives – for some with relief,
Distracted they are with
Respite so busy bound.
Others relish reunion,
All its dynamics, conflicts,
Savor each moment,
Memories folding into presence.
And what do they leave for us
Who don’t depart just yet?
Spirit patience gentleness
Reaching across generations of time
They touch us deeply,
Reminding of past departures,
A future reunion at journey’s end,
For even the beach-bound.
