Good morning…
On the day she was retiring, our Monday afternoon class gathered for the last time this semester. At age 70, her health issues have made breathing more difficult, nudging her to close the doors to her counseling practice earlier than she had hoped.
For years now, I have admired her giving into God’s call to return to school in her 50’s to complete her degree at the same university where I gave into God’s call, returning in my 50’s to be trained as a spiritual director. The logo of Richmont Graduate University contains a chalice with a cross, so, eighteen years ago, she had gorgeous chalices handmade by a potter as graduation gifts for her classmates. To pass her “soul care” blessing on to me, she gave me one of those sacred chalices. Like exchanging the baton in a relay race, this hand-sculpted chalice now adorns my mantel, marking the end of her final lap as a counselor, encouraging me forward as I catch my stride as a spiritual director.
She also passed on a blessing to our entire class, running pretty copies and reading aloud the following words from Jaiya John’s Daughter Drink this Water.
“You are a seasonal creature. At any time of year, when you feel spring inside, bloom. When you feel summer, shine. If fall murmurs, slow, turn, shed. At winter’s mood, take your repose. Rest in the quietude. Be in close touch with your seasons. They can change by the moment and the day. They are your teachers, your caregivers. Be attentive. Your life will ease and flourish. Resist your seasons, and suffer. Live in your seasons. You will know peace. In the end, she discovered it was only the beginning.”
Then God said, “Let there be light-bearers (sun, moon, stars) in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be useful for signs (tokens) [of God’s provident care], and for marking seasons, days, and years (Genesis 1:14, AMP).
…Sue…
