Laughter and Tears
my soul needs both...
Some things happy, some sad, some a blend…that’s this week’s E-Musings!
Last week marked 60 years since the historic Civil Rights March in Selma, Alabama, and the terrible Bloody Sunday clash between police and protesters. From the courage of our African American brothers and sisters came the Federal Voting Rights Act. One of the march leaders, John Lewis, became a long-serving member of the House of Representatives. He was called “the Conscience of the Congress” for his clear-eyed integrity and strength of character. I wrote about Lewis shortly after his death in 2020…
REFLECTION: SAINT JOHN OF THE BRIDGE
MUSIC: ILLUMINATE THE SHADOWS
COMIC: CALVIN WAXES PHILOSOPHICAL
Life is like a box of…crayons.
MOVIE CLIP: SMOKE SIGNALS
I LOVE this movie, the first feature film completely written, produced, directed, and (mostly) performed, by Native Americans. The story of Thomas and Victor’s journey to retrieve Victor’s dad Arnold’s ashes is so funny, and so touching (laughter AND tears). Here’s a scene….
IRISH HYMN: BE THOU MY VISION
St. Patrick’s Day will have come and gone by next week’s newsletter, so I wanted to share this beautiful hymn here today. The lyrics were written by 6th century Irish poet Dallán Forgaill, and the tune is “Slane,” an Irish folk tune.
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art
Be Thou my best thought in the day and the night
Both waking and sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, be Thou my true word
Be Thou ever with me, and I with Thee, Lord
Be Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Be Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
Be Thou my whole armour, be Thou my true might;
Be Thou my soul’s shelter, be Thou my strong tower,
O raise Thou me heavenward, great power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise
Be Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Be Thou and Thou only the first in my heart
O high King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, Thou heaven’s bright sun
O grant me its joys, after victory is won;
Great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be Thou my vision, O Ruler of all.
MUSIC: BE THOU MY VISION (arrangement by Sheridan Seyfried, performed by Trio Barclay)
COMEDY: NATE BARGATZE
Nate Bergatze’s star has risen this past year (one reason is his hilarious portrayal of George Washington in SNL skits). I love him because his humor is gentle, clean and reminds me of my favorite parts of living in the South (many moons ago). Here’s Nate and a buddy dining under the Golden Arches…
READ-A-THON UPDATE
Well, gang, made it through Week Two with just a little eyestrain!
I really enjoyed three of the four books from last week (full disclosure, am still reading Restaurant of Lost Recipes, will report next newsletter)…
IONA IVERSON’S RULES FOR COMMUTING by Clare Pooley****What a great book! Wonderfully quirky British characters, anchored by the unforgettable Iona herself. A reminder that we’re all on this life train together—so let’s connect!
THIS DAY (NEW AND COLLECTED SABBATH POEMS)**** by Wendell Berry Environmental activist, farmer and poet Berry shares profound, nature-inspired thoughts for the time of rest, especially as we age: “Now, surely, I am getting old, for my memory of myself as a young man seems now to be complete, as a story told. The young man leaps, and lands on an old man’s legs.”
NO TIME LIKE THE FUTURE by Michael J. Fox****I have loved Fox since his Family Ties days, and endlessly admire the way he has dealt with a devastating diagnosis of early onset Parkinson’s (including starting a foundation that has raised many millions for research.) Inspiring, upbeat memoir.
Here’s this week’s challenge (three books instead of four this time):
PROBABLE IMPOSSIBILITIES by Alan Lightman
QUENTINS by Maeve Binchy
UNDER A FLAMING SKY by Daniel James Brown
BLOG PREVIEW: EVERYONE WILL BE FAMOUS FOR 10 SECONDS
Pop culture stars are coming and going 2fast2furiously…here’s a cheat sheet!
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
Prophets and mystics recognize what most of us do not—that all things have tears and all things deserve tears. The sympathy that wells up when we weep can be life changing, too, drawing us out of ourselves and into communion with those around us.
—Richard Rohr
Wishing you many smiles and deep, beautiful, cleansing tears—the stuff of being alive this week, my friends.