To anyone who has ever felt summer love,
During my first week at camp this summer, I overheard a realtor mention a piece of land about to go on the market--two beautiful acres adjoining the camp. The current owner was a master gardener who had planted wildflowers, sprayed the pine trees for mistletoe and started clearing the land for a house. There were young aspen groves, a rare loan limber pine and views of Mt. Columbia, Mt. Yale and the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness. The price seemed reasonable; my curiosity was piqued. The realtor said she’d email me a flyer. Later in the day, I decided to drive into town for some ice cream. However, I found myself turning the car in the opposite direction and began to explore “Game Trail” looking for the lot. I didn’t have the address and couldn’t find the “For Sale” sign, but I enjoyed seeing the diverse homes and began to imagine what life in this mountain valley subdivision might feel like.
For over a week, I waited for the email from the realtor, but it never came. Then finally, one afternoon I was working in the camp office and saw a flyer for the property on the bulletin board. My heart skipped a beat. I now had photos of the view, the trees and an address. Did I dare go look? I made a quick drive by. The wooded street was so peaceful, so beautiful. My head and heart had already been wistfully spinning and turning—sometimes merely daydreaming about buying land in this community, sometimes “talking to myself” and rationalizing what a good investment the land could be, sometimes blissfully relishing the thought of doing something completely crazy. Of course, there were other times when the whole idea seemed absurd; however, it usually was pretty easy to quell the voice of reason. After seeing the property, I knew I had to show it to Michael when he arrived in a few days.
We walked the lot together. “Ours” we called it as we tried to locate the exact boundaries. We made a long list of questions for the realtor. Surely there would be some catch, some answer that would cast a negative light on the whole idea. There wasn’t. So, I got information about various lenders to look into financing. We began to talk about the kind of house we’d like to build someday. Maybe we could build sooner, rather than later—a place which would be a vacation house for now and eventually our permanent home. The kids could bring friends there for skiing trips during winter and spring breaks. We’d build family memories for years to come. We'd build a house laid-out so Mike’s parents could come visit. We’d help Papa get around while Mom relaxed—enjoying views and a lifestyle reminiscent of her brothers’ homes in Canada. Even when we weren’t there, friends and guests of the camp would be welcome to use our vacation house. It would be a blessing, not just for our immediate family, but others.
Back home from camp, I spent days looking at house plans on the internet. At first I hardly knew what I was looking for, what I/we liked. The realtor had mentioned a passive solar home. This idea struck a chord with our values--green, economical and unique. One night I found a plan that beautifully met most of our desires. It didn’t take long for me to be able to imagine us in the house. I thought about furnishings—inexpensive, colorful and versatile. I had fun realizing what things we already had to take and use there. We have two games of Scrabble, Backgammon, Sorry, Aggravation and Uno, an extra vacuum, some rockers, a microwave and single beds. We’d build bare bones at first and add a garage and some of the appliances later.
Finally, it was time to decide whether or not to move forward, to make an offer on the lot. We reasoned, prayed and eventually came to the conclusion that this wasn’t the right way to invest our energies and money right now. As wonderful as the property is, we aren't ready to commit to this geographical location forever. It was hard to let go, but a few days later I awoke to hear the “still small voice”—the assurance from God that we’d made the right decision.
I assumed that after the “still, small voice” my thoughts of the land and house would fade, and indeed my longing for them, that “got to have it” feeling, has disappeared; but I find my thought still drifting towards that simple straw bale structure filled with bookcases and sliding pocket doors. When we were at Office Max the other day, I tried out a collapsible dorm room chair that would have been great in the Colorado house’s living room.
I’ve questioned why this unbuilt house still seems so real to me, so much a part of me--why I think of it fondly almost like a friend? Then I realized the idea had indeed befriended me—called to me, begged me to entertain it, and in doing so helped me learn things about myself, what I value, what I like. I learned to dream again, to think with happy expectation about what the future can bring. This marvelous piece of land gave me a taste of summer love, something which I’ve read and seen movies about, but which as a teenager never experienced. Sad or bittersweet when it ends, in time its memories bring only smiles and hope...smiles of gratitude for the experience and hope that it’s magic will come again at another season in a more enduring form.
So as summer draws to a close, join me on my imaginary porch next to the built-in outdoor fireplace (for winter s’mores of course), fill your glass with iced sun tea and join me in a knowing, happy toast. “To summer love!”
Cheers,
Maria
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Our Wedding Vows
Dear Michael,
Going to the wedding with you yesterday was so special. It has been a long time since we sat side by side at a marriage ceremony. You played the trombone at Devon and Chris’ and were in Paul and Stacey’s; so I think it has been at least 8 years.
I couldn’t help but think back to our own wedding beginning with the amazing hike in Rocky Mountain National Park where we wrote our vows near the spray of Ouzel Falls. The wildflowers were abundant—Indian Paintbrush, Columbine, and endless varieties of golden daisies that later in your graduate school days we dubbed “darn yellow composites.” Like our hike to Harvard Lakes this summer, I remember the trek being a bit tiring for me, but that didn’t matter; the beauty of our destination quickly rejuvenated me.
With the sound of the falls as background music, we went over the traditional text of the wedding ceremony line by line changing words here and there until they matched our best understanding at the time of marriage’s deepest spiritual meaning. We used to laugh and say that our ceremony with its readings and hymn was almost a Wednesday evening Christian Science church service!
I was going to type out just the heart of our promises to each other, but as I reread the service today, I found that almost every line continues to speak to me in an enriching way. So, I’m going to bring the complete “Marriage Vows of Michael and Maria…Wedded, December 17th, 1983” off the typewriter created pages of our little spiral-bound red booklet into the electronic cyberworld of the 21st century. Let’s revisit them together hand in hand soon!
To set the stage, Jerry and his trombone trio entertained the guests while I put the finishing touches on my lipstick (a procedure which to this day feels somewhat foreign to me). After the prelude, the organist started Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze” (she never did get those fancy turns right), and I began down the aisle. I can still see your radiant smile…
With all reverently standing, the minister (said):
Dear Friends, we are assembled here today in the presence of God, to join this man and woman in marriage, which is blessed by God, regulated by his commandments, and is to be held in honor by all mankind. Marriage, in its highest sense, is the expression of man’s completeness, of his individual spiritual unity with God. For as the Scriptures say, “I am married unto you.” Seeing and expressing this oneness of God and man, husband and wife know that Divine Love will always meet their human need for affection, home and spiritual growth. Following His guidance, they truly love and nourish each other and their family. Marriage, governed by Love and guided by Christ, blesses, purifies and elevates all mankind.
Let us unite in a few moments of silent prayer....”Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Amen.
Next your Dad shared our readings (I’ll include them at the end), and Walter sang “The Lord’s Prayer.” Then the minister addressed you, “Michael, will you have Maria to be your wife, and will you give yourself to her, in all love and honor in, all duty and service, in all faith and tenderness, to live with her, and cherish her, according to the law of God, in the holy bond of marriage?
At this point, I think we both were crying. You gave your eternal “I will;” mine soon followed. Next my very happy parents gave me “to be married to” you, and then we exchanged the vows we’d written on our hike.
I, Maria, take you, Michael, to be my wedded husband; and I do promise before God and these witnesses to be your loving and faithful wife; to endeavor always to see you as God sees, to love you as God loves, and to hold no concept of you or us that is false, earthly, or impure, that we may grow together and individually in the service of God.
Exchanging our rings, we tenderly said, This ring I give you as a reminder of God’s gentle ever-presence, the source of our love for each other.“ (Both the design of our rings and the following benediction were inspired by Mary Baker Eddy’s poem that begins, “Oh gentle presence, peace and joy and power…").
The minister continued: May the peace, joy and power of your Father-Mother God be with you always. Let us pray: Dear Father, bestow upon your children, Michael and Maria, your fatherly benediction; granting them grace to fulfill, with pure and steadfast affection, the vow and covenant they have made. Guide them together, in the way of righteousness and peace, that, loving and serving you, with one heart and mind, they may be abundantly enriched with the blessings of your everlasting love. Amen.
By the authority committed unto me, a minister of the church of Jesus Christ, I declare that Michael and Maria are now husband and wife, according to the ordinance of God, and the laws of the state. You may kiss the bride. (Ah, for the days when thinking about that kiss was our biggest worry!)
Then everyone was invited to “join us in singing a prayer of joy and gratitude to God, Hymn #58.” (“Father, we Thy loving children, lift our hearts in joy today...” set to Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”)
Whom, therefore, God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
I love you Michael!
Your bride,
Maria
Our Readings
From The Bible:
I John 4:7-8, 11
I John 5:2-3 (to :)
Ephesians 5:1-2, 8, 10, 20-21, 33 (let)
I Corinthians 13:4-8 (to :), 13
Matthew 5:5-8, 14 (to ,), 16
Matthew 7:7-8
Matthew 6:30-33
Matthew 5:48
Psalms 91:9-11
I Thessalonians 3:12 (to second ,)
From the writings of Mary Baker Eddy:
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (S&H) 61:30-31
S&H 56:7-8
S&H 64:26-27
Miscellaneous Writings(Misc.) 286:7-10
S&H 64:17-21, 22-25
S&H 57:4-11
S&H 60:16-18
S&H 58:21-23
Miscellany 268:8-10
S&H 58:7-11
S&H 60:4-8
S&H 59:3-6
S&H 57:18-21
S&H 66:14-16
S&H 57:23-24
Misc. 307:1-8
Misc. 262:12-14
S&H 65:3-6
S&H 454:18-19
Going to the wedding with you yesterday was so special. It has been a long time since we sat side by side at a marriage ceremony. You played the trombone at Devon and Chris’ and were in Paul and Stacey’s; so I think it has been at least 8 years.
I couldn’t help but think back to our own wedding beginning with the amazing hike in Rocky Mountain National Park where we wrote our vows near the spray of Ouzel Falls. The wildflowers were abundant—Indian Paintbrush, Columbine, and endless varieties of golden daisies that later in your graduate school days we dubbed “darn yellow composites.” Like our hike to Harvard Lakes this summer, I remember the trek being a bit tiring for me, but that didn’t matter; the beauty of our destination quickly rejuvenated me.
With the sound of the falls as background music, we went over the traditional text of the wedding ceremony line by line changing words here and there until they matched our best understanding at the time of marriage’s deepest spiritual meaning. We used to laugh and say that our ceremony with its readings and hymn was almost a Wednesday evening Christian Science church service!
I was going to type out just the heart of our promises to each other, but as I reread the service today, I found that almost every line continues to speak to me in an enriching way. So, I’m going to bring the complete “Marriage Vows of Michael and Maria…Wedded, December 17th, 1983” off the typewriter created pages of our little spiral-bound red booklet into the electronic cyberworld of the 21st century. Let’s revisit them together hand in hand soon!
To set the stage, Jerry and his trombone trio entertained the guests while I put the finishing touches on my lipstick (a procedure which to this day feels somewhat foreign to me). After the prelude, the organist started Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze” (she never did get those fancy turns right), and I began down the aisle. I can still see your radiant smile…
With all reverently standing, the minister (said):
Dear Friends, we are assembled here today in the presence of God, to join this man and woman in marriage, which is blessed by God, regulated by his commandments, and is to be held in honor by all mankind. Marriage, in its highest sense, is the expression of man’s completeness, of his individual spiritual unity with God. For as the Scriptures say, “I am married unto you.” Seeing and expressing this oneness of God and man, husband and wife know that Divine Love will always meet their human need for affection, home and spiritual growth. Following His guidance, they truly love and nourish each other and their family. Marriage, governed by Love and guided by Christ, blesses, purifies and elevates all mankind.
Let us unite in a few moments of silent prayer....”Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Amen.
Next your Dad shared our readings (I’ll include them at the end), and Walter sang “The Lord’s Prayer.” Then the minister addressed you, “Michael, will you have Maria to be your wife, and will you give yourself to her, in all love and honor in, all duty and service, in all faith and tenderness, to live with her, and cherish her, according to the law of God, in the holy bond of marriage?
At this point, I think we both were crying. You gave your eternal “I will;” mine soon followed. Next my very happy parents gave me “to be married to” you, and then we exchanged the vows we’d written on our hike.
I, Maria, take you, Michael, to be my wedded husband; and I do promise before God and these witnesses to be your loving and faithful wife; to endeavor always to see you as God sees, to love you as God loves, and to hold no concept of you or us that is false, earthly, or impure, that we may grow together and individually in the service of God.
Exchanging our rings, we tenderly said, This ring I give you as a reminder of God’s gentle ever-presence, the source of our love for each other.“ (Both the design of our rings and the following benediction were inspired by Mary Baker Eddy’s poem that begins, “Oh gentle presence, peace and joy and power…").
The minister continued: May the peace, joy and power of your Father-Mother God be with you always. Let us pray: Dear Father, bestow upon your children, Michael and Maria, your fatherly benediction; granting them grace to fulfill, with pure and steadfast affection, the vow and covenant they have made. Guide them together, in the way of righteousness and peace, that, loving and serving you, with one heart and mind, they may be abundantly enriched with the blessings of your everlasting love. Amen.
By the authority committed unto me, a minister of the church of Jesus Christ, I declare that Michael and Maria are now husband and wife, according to the ordinance of God, and the laws of the state. You may kiss the bride. (Ah, for the days when thinking about that kiss was our biggest worry!)
Then everyone was invited to “join us in singing a prayer of joy and gratitude to God, Hymn #58.” (“Father, we Thy loving children, lift our hearts in joy today...” set to Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”)
Whom, therefore, God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
I love you Michael!
Your bride,
Maria
Our Readings
From The Bible:
I John 4:7-8, 11
I John 5:2-3 (to :)
Ephesians 5:1-2, 8, 10, 20-21, 33 (let)
I Corinthians 13:4-8 (to :), 13
Matthew 5:5-8, 14 (to ,), 16
Matthew 7:7-8
Matthew 6:30-33
Matthew 5:48
Psalms 91:9-11
I Thessalonians 3:12 (to second ,)
From the writings of Mary Baker Eddy:
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (S&H) 61:30-31
S&H 56:7-8
S&H 64:26-27
Miscellaneous Writings(Misc.) 286:7-10
S&H 64:17-21, 22-25
S&H 57:4-11
S&H 60:16-18
S&H 58:21-23
Miscellany 268:8-10
S&H 58:7-11
S&H 60:4-8
S&H 59:3-6
S&H 57:18-21
S&H 66:14-16
S&H 57:23-24
Misc. 307:1-8
Misc. 262:12-14
S&H 65:3-6
S&H 454:18-19
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Prayer Pictures
Dear Friend,
Tomorrow we head home from camp. We’ll have a full car with our family of four plus two friends—one each for Heidi and Lincoln. We’ve enjoyed being here. The time has flown by, but I’ll be ready to hit the road and begin the adventures of another school year.
This session has been so different from my first two weeks at camp. My prayer time (literally time) has completely changed. The 4 a.m. wakings I learned to enjoy earlier in the summer have been replaced by equally rewarding middle of the night prayer moments. I’m learning to be grateful for the prayers God gives me at whatever time and in whatever form they come.
One morning before coming to camp, my prayers came to me as pictures; not just metaphors but mental images—almost like photographs or short video clips. There was one for each member of my family—Michael, Heidi and Lincoln. In the “photos” they had big smiles on their faces as they engaged in various new activities, confidently radiating qualities that I had been cherishing as inseparable from their experience—qualities such as individuality, grace, courage, friendship. I even had a prayer picture for our pets. I was seeking assurance that they would be happy while we were gone. The “snapshot” included all four animals together on our living room floor sitting contentedly at the feet of our house-sitter—the dogs panting; the cats swishing their tails.
During “alone with your thoughts time” my first week at camp, I realized I didn’t have a prayer picture for myself and asked God for one. I saw myself as a soaring bird looking down on everything going on below. This picture has been a reminder throughout camp to look at things from a higher, spiritual perspective, to let God’s thoughts lift me above the fray.
I have returned to these mental pictures over and over again in my daily prayers for my self and family. They remain vivid reminders that our perspectives and being come from and reflect God. Sometimes prayers come as hymns or favorite Bible verses or perhaps as simple affirmations of God’s Allness. Sometimes I mentally reason or ponder spiritual facts as they relate to day-to-day events. But I’ve come to look forward to and especially enjoy the prayer pictures. They feel so new and refreshing to me. I can’t wait until God sends another my way.
Happy August!
Much love,
Maria
Tomorrow we head home from camp. We’ll have a full car with our family of four plus two friends—one each for Heidi and Lincoln. We’ve enjoyed being here. The time has flown by, but I’ll be ready to hit the road and begin the adventures of another school year.
This session has been so different from my first two weeks at camp. My prayer time (literally time) has completely changed. The 4 a.m. wakings I learned to enjoy earlier in the summer have been replaced by equally rewarding middle of the night prayer moments. I’m learning to be grateful for the prayers God gives me at whatever time and in whatever form they come.
One morning before coming to camp, my prayers came to me as pictures; not just metaphors but mental images—almost like photographs or short video clips. There was one for each member of my family—Michael, Heidi and Lincoln. In the “photos” they had big smiles on their faces as they engaged in various new activities, confidently radiating qualities that I had been cherishing as inseparable from their experience—qualities such as individuality, grace, courage, friendship. I even had a prayer picture for our pets. I was seeking assurance that they would be happy while we were gone. The “snapshot” included all four animals together on our living room floor sitting contentedly at the feet of our house-sitter—the dogs panting; the cats swishing their tails.
During “alone with your thoughts time” my first week at camp, I realized I didn’t have a prayer picture for myself and asked God for one. I saw myself as a soaring bird looking down on everything going on below. This picture has been a reminder throughout camp to look at things from a higher, spiritual perspective, to let God’s thoughts lift me above the fray.
I have returned to these mental pictures over and over again in my daily prayers for my self and family. They remain vivid reminders that our perspectives and being come from and reflect God. Sometimes prayers come as hymns or favorite Bible verses or perhaps as simple affirmations of God’s Allness. Sometimes I mentally reason or ponder spiritual facts as they relate to day-to-day events. But I’ve come to look forward to and especially enjoy the prayer pictures. They feel so new and refreshing to me. I can’t wait until God sends another my way.
Happy August!
Much love,
Maria
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