WE GATHER TOGETHER . . .

      With Thanksgiving Day coming soon, the hymn

"We Gather Together" likely will be sung often.  Except for the most introverted and reclusive persons, "gathering", "belonging" and sharing life with like-minded and affirming persons are strong yearnings of the human spirit.

     While much of life is a solitary endeavor, there is a huge difference between solitude and loneliness. "Lonely" can occur  even within a large group. And,

FAMILY  is the large group most in our cultural psyche at this time of the year.  Undoubtedly, there is much authentic love within many families.  Still, there are families where the best that can be mustered is to "make nice".

     Recently when I mentioned "We Gather Together" to a client, she replied, "But no more often than we have to . . ."  Just this week, two clients have graphically emphasized that they want nothing more to do with members of their families.  Long standing conflicts, disputes, hurts,  and dislikes have a way of surfacing (some  might say "exploding") during the holidays, even when there are not face-to-face gatherings.  Holidays get-togethers are not always Norman Rockwell-ish.

     Having honored that caveat, what about folks who are genuinely glad to see each other ?  Shared experiences, shared memories, mutual respect,  shared accomplishments as well as losses . . .these ties can have the effect of knitting otherwise lonely, isolated persons into something that transcends our individual identities.  And, sometimes we are fortunate that our 'Families' include those with whom we share 'blood kinship'.

   Happy Thanksgiving !

     

      Satchel

"ARE YOU STILL IN THE BLOGGING BUSINESS ?"

    So began a recent e-mail from a niece when I had not posted after a longer than usual quiet time.  Allowing for the hyperbole of her inquiry, the interval had been longer than typical.

     When in seminary in Boston, I made the acquaintance of a then-notable Episcopal rector acclaimed for his pulpit eloquence and substantive sermons.  Following a rejuvenating vacation on Cape Cod, he acknowledged that he had "about reached the stage where I had nothing to say and no great desire to say it."  I admired his candor and wish to avoid platitudes and inanities.  It is not always possible to be creative on   a schedule.  Friends who are professional writers have told me that there are times when 'the juices do not flow' and various 'techniques' are helpful in moving through those times.

      Sometimes the "well is just  dry".  Ernest Hemingway when asked what made good writing said something to the effect of making the seat of  his pants adhere to the seat of a chair for long  periods of time.  No doubt, there are times when the answer is to 'keep digging' and maintain the discipline.  At other times, backing away from the effort and allowing the  springs to refill on their own timetable work better.  While 'Papa' Hemingway and I move on differing planes of literary skill and style, I also do not 'write for  
a living', so other matters intervene.  

    "Stay tuned."

        Satchel

      

THE NEXT GENERATION . . .

      This week I received from my nephew a text message telling me that he and his wife have a healthy 7 pound 9 ounce baby girl.
The previous day his sister posted a picture of her baby girl born last Spring.  And, earlier this year, another niece had twins . . .a daughter and a son.

     Just in the ten-years-and-younger generation of our extended family, I count my daughter's two adopted children; one brother's children have six 'little ones'; the other brother is the grand-father to three.  And, I have four grand-children over twenty years of age, and one of those has two sons.  How did these 'children' get old  enough to be married and having children?  No doubt, our father who would have been 102 last Tuesday and his father who would have been 130 (!) on Friday, once wondered something comparable about their progeny.

     Over Thanksgiving many in the extended family will gather (as has been the custom for many years) at the North Carolina brother's farm.  Already we know that some of the 'children' (over 30, mind you) will be unable to attend this year.  Others will have their 'introductions' to wide assortment of individuals known collectively as 'family'.

    Somewhere in Holy Writ is the reminder that "a generation comes and a generation goes".  But while we are here together . . .
(complete the thought . . .).

      Satchel