11/29/14 RMB Thanksgiving 2014

11/29/14 RMB Thanksgiving 2014

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

Two days ago, on Thanksgiving afternoon, Teddy and I pulled into the long private drive of a friend’s home. Friends of twenty years shared hugs and then I was introduced to our hostess, and others, as a family of friends arrived, over a dozen in all. Two white felines welcomed me and quickly made themselves scarce as the rooms filled.

Food was aplenty. Salad and pie recipes were shared. Secret ingredients were revealed. Teddy welcomed me into her home and then into her world, her friendships and their stories.

Entering a sacred place where philosophies and possibilities are explored, resulted in an extraordinary experience. Topics that some study for lifetimes surfaced and there was an easiness that is rare among two, let alone in the presence of over a dozen souls from all walks of life.
  
Being greeted with “I know you” from a new-old friend, and then a warm embrace from a lighthearted, joyful pal, were two memorable moments.

The following day, I celebrated your birthday with a drive through a National Park and more visits, complete with accompanying hugs. Happy belated Birthday to you!

Next weekend my family will gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, when traffic, and other obligations, will be lighter. We’ll chat, decorate, eat, drink and be merry with a toast to Thanksgiving. As I reflect on this year’s day of Thanks, it is apparent that the date on the calendar matters not. The years, the connections, the laughter and the joy, those matter. Thankfulness matters.

Thankfully yours,

Loraine

PS. Word of caution, mixing Yahtzee and margaritas can be tricky…and loads of fun!

4/5/14 RMB Goodall Caring

4/5/14 RMB Goodall Caring

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

A friend’s Facebook post reminds me that 4/3/14 was Jane Goodall’s 80^th birthday. Sweet. That prompted me, of course, to look her up and I read about the controversy she faced for naming the animals she researched. Apparently numbering them is the acceptable scientific methodology. Names sound logical and more fun to me. What I also found interesting is the uproar it causes when we do things differently.

This all took place on a day when I have been dealing with my own research of sorts, trying to decipher three contrary boys, contributing my bit as auntie to their development as productive members of society. Each have unique skills, yet continuously compare themselves to one another, rather than learning from, or better yet, admiring each other's abilities. Each tests limits, including dips into their own dark sides, as I search out ways to teach them of the light that shines inside of them and in the world we share.

What did I learn from Jane? That an important factor of any research is caring for your subjects. Beyond what we learn or teach, perhaps it is the caring that holds the greatest impact of all in our progress towards bettering our universe.

Perhaps,

 
Loraine  

4/3/14 RMB Time

4/3/14 RMB Time

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

I noticed that on April 1^st you were the featured speaker at a fundraiser for the Virginia Commonwealth University called the Monroe Scholars Book and Author Luncheon. Nice. Your continued participation in your community and various causes is noble and appreciated.  

Tonight our Writer’s Circle met. We toss out topics and do ten minute writings on the agreed upon topic or whatever comes to mind when pen touches down on paper. Tonight the topic was Time…write anything you want about time in ten minutes or less. I’ll share my Ten Minute writing of Time with you below your letter.

Best of times to you,

Loraine

Time

“Time to get ready for school.” Mom said.

“Time’s up” the host of the game informed all contestants.

Time marches on and in our tomorrow we will find the fruits of what we have planted today. Time is neither friend nor foe. It asks nothing and gives nothing. Everyone has all they need, yet often complain there is not enough. Some try to hold on to it, to shape it, stretch it or expand it. Yet it marches on in equal measure, showing no preference and no prejudice.

It is not strong nor weak, it is deliberate and all encompassing, leaving no stone unturned, no life left unlived.

It is a tool to be polished and cared for, so that one might look at the time spent and consider it spent well, that we may take joy in the result of times past and look forward to the future shaped by the time in which we now stand.