November

November 2011, I wish you a fond farewell. You were gorgeous this year! The color of your leaves were simply lovely.  

As we spend our remaining  hours together this month, I want to share my appreciation. Once again you ushered in another election cycle.  You continue to be the silent observer to the yard signs, billboards, flyers and bumper stickers.  November, do you hate all that clutter?  

At Thanksgiving, we had the opportunity to give thanks for another year with family and friends.  While we miss  dear family members ...we continue to give thanks. 

Finally, I remember with fondness the warm embrace of my birthday. Thank  you.

November you were cold to me today. ... stark, bare, and cold...

Gratitude

"Gratitude ... goes beyond the "mine" and "thine" and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy." 
Henri J. M. Nouwen

responsibility

it is the responsibility

of the village

to protect its children

to watch over them

day and night

to tuck them safely

into cribs with lullabies

it is the responsibility

of the village

to protect the children

they are gifts

to be cherished

as the poet said

they do not belong to us

they are not possessions

for our disposal

they are precious

trusting souls

it is the responsibility

of the village

to protect the children

against the self interests

of revered individuals

beloved institutions

who would do them harm

while claiming honor

it is the responsibility

of the village

to fall upon its knees

in repentance

before the children

it fails

it is the responsibility

of the world

global village

to see the big picture

the beliefs/the cultures in place

that foster and allow

horrific harm

the priorities

idolatries

that create

the context

the pathology

of the abuse of children

and the turning of our heads

it is the responsibility

of the global village

to be the change

the world of change

needed to end the

suffering of our children

and to be it now.

christie smith stephens

11-11-11 copyright.

Brrr

This morning it is 27 degrees with the wind chill. I am visiting in Anderson, Indiana.  Two days ago, it was warm and sunny in Louisville.  Maybe I can meet a friend for tea at Starbucks.

The patio at Lynn's Paradise Cafe in Louisville

Advent

"Advent is the liturgical period preceding Christmas beginning in western churches on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and in Eastern churches in mid November. Observed by many Christians as a season of prayer, fasting, and penitence."

My Advent calendar... preparing for the Christmas season.  Last week, I purchased my advent candles.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Jacqueline. I hope you have a beautiful day! You bless my life with abiding friendship, humor, joy, truth and love! Thank you for the gift of you! I love you, Jacqueline not Jaci! Christie not Christy