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| Faith and miracles, gratitude, embrace of good things - from whatever traditions they may originate - Confucianism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Alabama. |
Today was a self-care day, tending to overdue personal and medical maintenance. Grateful for the advances in science and modern medicine, grateful for good and close friends who were on my team all the way, for their having cleared the way first and done some of the research. Grateful for modern techniques and pain medication. Grateful for what may be possible.
At one point, there was a plan to do work, to monitor emails. Perhaps that was possible, physically, medically. But mental health is important to tend to as well. Breaks are sometimes necessary to prepare for what's ahead.
And so the balance of the day was devoted to other rituals ... to a more thoughtful observation of maternal stepGrandmother's death anniversary, which fell today. Sissy gifted lovely berry-laden branches, a nice, seasonal, rather Christmas-y touch. Sissy also picked up fruit to share. And it was the first night of Chanukah, so a hankering for donuts seemed appropriate to satisfy. Alas, Dunkin' Donuts was closed by the time the hunt began, but SevenEleven remained open, and their remaining stock of donuts was purchased for the cause. All offerings for Ba Ngoai, who loved Marmy like her own, and us too. The belief is that the ancestors who provided care in life continue to do so after death too. Grateful for ancestors who came before.
And why not observe that ritual with all the richness that comes from different faith and other traditions, right? Grateful for diversity of country.
And tonight, in addition to the miracle of lights celebrated by my Jewish friends, Doug Jones defeated Roy Moore in deep red Alabama. Grateful for love of country over love of party. Could work have been done instead of election result viewing? Sure. But savoring moments, and self-care, sometimes must win too.
Gratitude. Balance.
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