[Oe List ...] Reflecting

[mary hampton]

A Year

August 1 I will be 76 years old,  I reflect on this turning.

In June we had a different vacation.  We took a Viking river cruise on the RiverElba.  WE started with two days inPrague, then 5 days on the river and 2 days in Berlin.  It was a more pampered way than we havetravelled with tours every day, excellent meals and drinks included.  I wondered if I would have had the endurancefor a longer cruise.  We followed thiswith 10 days in England.  Highlightedmore touring by train, staying with Stuart’s sister, Brenda and visiting Hisbrother Malcolm.  I also met andimmediately bonded with Quaker, Bill M – we are both penpals of Joseph on TexasDeath Row.

One of my favorite actions in England is to visit themultiple small thrift shops.  (Everycharity from Air Ambulances to P.E.T.A. seems to have one in every local HighStreet.)  After shopping in some on ourday train trips and having a longer wander in Watford High Street I observed mypurchases:  assorted Knick knacks forgifts, 3 blue handkerchiefs, a blue dress, blue blouse and blue, printskirt.  I do not do this consciously.  I have worn them all since I got home.  One young woman at Meeting affirms “Blue isgood on you.”  Without my asking.  

I just read Iron Boy by David Marshall.  So did Stuart.  When I talked to our daughter Lis, so didshe.  I remember many years ago beingasked if I grew up in the Order.   “Yes,but I was 20 when I came.”   A world of difference in being 20 and decidingand 6 and told this is where we live. Thank you, David. 

In February the State of Texas executed my friend of 16years, Richard Tabler.  When we weretravelling, I learned of the death of Martha (SKY) Dempster.  Martha was my college roommate, invited me toRSI, and was my bridesmaid.  It has beenten years since we talked; a loss.  Ialso lost Donna S, a dance instructor here in Austin.  Then 130+ died in floods between the TexasHill Country and Travis County where live. 

In the midst of life, you know.  My year has been given to activity familiarwith the exceptions being the last two months. Being Quaker, Religious Society of Friends.  My shorthand definition “Go cheerfullythrough the earth responding to that of God in everyone.”  Some of that translates into direct care; Iam currently clerk of Care and Counsel, our local pastoral care committee.   Death Row and other prison visits areimportant to me.  

I dance. This one of my communities meets twice a week for choreographedplay,  I continue to keep an art journal—nowon Volume 6.   We are lucky enough tolive an hour or less from our children, Elisabeth and Christopher and from ourgrandchildren.  LIFE IS GOOD.

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