remember that this has passed before: gardening and eucharist

A quiet day for renewal and reflection in our part of the world. Parts of our garden have been

molested by what appears to be voles. They root around, poking the earth in an ugly way, eat the bulbs and roots of our plants, and probably the slugs, too. I am grateful for the later but not so much for the rest of their mess. Last night I made a gallon of chili pepper water to spray both the vegetables and then pour on their holes. We shall see - I will be ordering some castor oil, too as they apparently truly hate it's taste. Di made pancakes to mark this date in our journey together and then we went out to do our own garden work: she pulled out the invasive and relentless poke wee and then cut back the day lilies so that the stone wall was visible once more; while I took down some dead branches on the black birch. A good time was had by all. Later I got tomorrow's message and online Eucharist set up - and came across this stunning and clarifying prayer/poem by Padraig O'Tuama: "Hold yourself together and pull yourself apart."

(In a time of desolation do not make a life-changing decision and do not go back on a decision made during a time of consolation. Remember the times of consolation. Ignatius of Loyola)

Remember that this has passed before

and that there will be more days

of plenty... eventually.

Pay attention to your feelings

keep those feelings sharp.

Try to hold yourself together

and pull yourself apart.

Keep your eyes on the prize 

that you might never gain.

Don't ignore whatever pain is blooming

like a flower that you never planted.

Occupy your hands with kindness.

Remember you can see, even though this blindness

is remarkable.

Mark the places that you're feeling

mark the spaces where you're needing held

mark the evenings that are dark

and mark the afternoon of coping.

Mark the morning that you waken

finding mourning has been taken

to a different part of heartland.

Remember what has passed before.

Pour your body like the sacramental wine

pour your blood with loving.

Now it is time for chicken and herbs and lemon pasta and salad from our garden. I give thanks for this day and look forward to sharing Eucharist with some of you in the morning.