Hi Folks,

In the midst of being impacted by all that is going on now globally, nationally, ecologically, politically, economically, culturally, and personally, I hope you also being sustained and nurtured by the deep wells of wellness and wholeness during this Christmas season.

Below is a birthday witness, not a song, despite the title, provoked by the end-of-life sessions faciliated by Dick Alton and similar sessions during our church Sunday Forums.

Grace and peace as we enter the new possibilities of 2023.

Ellie Stock

elliestock@aol.com

~~~~~~~

A BIRTHDAY WITNESS:

ONE LAST SONG

One last song as light recedes to light

One last song still falling in love with Life

One last song in gratitude for birth

One last song in gratitude for Earth

for Creation’s mirth and expanding girth

One last song for Spirit’s rising Cry

for heart’s ecstasy and ebbing sigh

So, THANKS BE for Awe-filled misting mountain sunrise skies

For big tree forests and butterflies

For sandy sea shorelines scattered with shells,

sparkling and gurgling in surging tide’s swells

For kittens and birdsong and tiny green tree froggies

piercing my being with wide red-eyed gogglies

For brilliant fall leaves and snow-blanketed cities

For wind and rain and weather proclivities

For morning walks, sensing Nature’s delights

For evening ponderings of things out of sight

For awakening aroma of blossoming orange grove and peonies

For yummy ice cream and healing fresh fruits and veggies

For dark night desert skies and bold winking stars

For crescent moon and Venus kissing from afar

So . . .

Ref

So, THANKS BE for homes and hearths and hearts of hope and humor and welcoming the guest

For close family bonds and covenant love, passionate embraces and babes at breast

For beloved friends, colleagues, and the communion of saints who gave more than their best

living their care and dying their dare, ashes to ashes, dust to dust

For smiles and laughter, celebrations and commemorations giving life zest

For humbling struggles and empowering quest

For meetings and movement marches embodying a vision

of resilient, Earth-integrity communities of diversity, justice, and communion

For the arts that enliven and encourage the soul

For wisdom that enlightens and transforms our goals

For silence and stillness that melts us into deeper and broader dimensions of self and love

For pilgrimages that honor countries and cultures with renewing compassion

For Beings of the Way that live with passion—that sing and dance and partner in solidarity

with Those Who Care, with those who are suffering

For the unconditional Word about Life that frees us to Know, Do and Be courageously:

Life is Good; I am Beloved; the Past is Forgiven; and the Future is Possibility

For the Atomic and Cosmic Song and Dance, Grace from particularity to eternity

For the wonder of Earth, our Common Home, our Common Origin and Destiny

For the joy and grief of Life’s journey’s Calling from 13.8 billion years ago

Through rise and collapse to the seventh generation, may it be so… in

Hope beyond hoping

Peace passing understanding

Joy and thanksgiving unceasing and

Love unconditioning

So . . .

Ref

ejhs

10/22/2022