A Tribute to Chris
Dear Kip,
When I saw the red envelope that Jerry brought in with the mail, I knew it was likely a Christmas card and glanced at the return address label in the upper left corner. And I saw only your name. I knew instantly that Chris had passed on.
But you stepped in to send the scheduled Christmas card and Christmas letter. It was so generous of you to carry on that tradition, since it was Chris’ project for both of you. And I also understand your not continuing that tradition, unless another family member steps in. Not only is it not your personal passion, but somehow it seems like it’s time to move on.
Quote of the Day: Gratitude
“Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty.” — Doris Day
Yes, Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror, but it is still worth considering its message: giving thanks for what we have; being grateful. It is also worth considering gratitude’s flip side: ingratitude, which mostly comes out in the form of complaint.
To Those Who are Alone on Thanksgiving Day
You may be a person who embraces solitude and quiet. But there are days that are intended to be spent with others. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always cooperate with our hopes and dreams. And you may have found yourself seemingly alone.
If you are not with others today, please know that you are not alone. At least Ricochet is one place, a community, that has room for everyone, on good days and bad; on ordinary days and special occasions. And no matter where we are physically, we are all united in spirit, in the belief that we can be there for each other, even if we are not present.
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10 Years of ‘Addiction Is a Choice!’
I joined Ricochet on September 22, 2012. I was a “lurker,” dying to comment, so I took the plunge — and my comments were generally well-received. Bonus! I had found my home. Aside from a years-ago, moderator-interrupted dustup with @bryangstephens (“About what I have no idea“), I have loved every minute of Ricochet.
I have commented over 1,900 times; authored over 200 posts with nine going to the Main Feed; and for nigh-on three years, I have curated the essential, can’t-miss “Saturday Night Radio.” (Which accounts for most of my 200+ posts.)
I do not live on the computer, but I do live here. Ricochet is my home — and I ain’t going nowhere!
Beautiful Gratitude
I was recently asked to put together a few words to share at a company picnic – this is the result. Our work involves the preparation of Structural Engineering plans and specifications. The mention of ‘Rhett’ in the text is to a newborn in our little group. You can check us out here. Happy Labor Day!
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
There are two words that of late I have been coming back to. Or perhaps they are coming to me. They are very familiar words – and you will immediately recognize both. But unfortunately for you, you don’t know their meaning. As in fact neither do I.
A Tribute to Those Who Deeply Love this Country
This particular Independence Day weekend, I feel especially moved by all those people who celebrate our heroes, to those who have fought or died to keep us free and by my own gratitude for living in this fine country. Although some people are not as moved by this song as I am, and by the people who sing it, I hope for just a couple of minutes you will put aside those thoughts and let yourselves simply immerse yourself in the words and music. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
This Thanksgiving, Choose Gratitude over Grievance
Political commentators spend most of their days following the awful things happening in the world. Bad news, after all, is what dominates the news cycle.
War, death, poverty, and injustice (and the occasional cat video) fill our laptop screens from the moment we wake until we go to bed. By the fourth day of the workweek, it’s easy to cycle between outrage and despair.
People on all sides succumb to this emotional low road, which is why there’s so much anger about failed politicians, terrible policies, and broken promises. Our grandparents would yell at the newspaper, our parents at the TV, but now everyone can hear our complaints. Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube spread everyone’s misery worldwide.
Gratitude Is the Basis for Ethics
Androcles, a young Roman slave, sought escape in the wilderness from his unhappy life. Finding respite in a cave, he found himself face to face with a lion. The beast was anxious only for the removal of a thorn from his paw. Upon its extraction by Androcles, the lion submitted to the man, caring for him. After being captured as a runaway some time later, Androcles was sentenced to death-by-mauling within the coliseum. However, the lion let loose upon Androcles was one and the same who had benefited from the slave’s earlier kindness. Instead of attacking the defenseless man, the lion lay at his feet, whereupon both were released by an astounded Roman governor.
The story of Androcles and the lion prompts this question, “How does gratitude change us?” I believe that gratitude is one of the chief pillars of life. Gratitude says that we give acclaim to Someone outside ourselves. Our response to this outside gift-giver is the basis for ethics: doing right by how we live. Doing right is proper response to gratitude. Doing right is based on remembering we live because of the gift given by Another. Doing right is a small response to a large endowment. Gratitude caused the apostle Paul to exclaim about Jesus, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” To acknowledge life as a gift of God, one’s whole focus and concentration is moved from ourselves to One outside ourselves. 
Disciples of Jesus as Lord bow the knee to their Sovereign Savior both in response to Who He is as well as what He has done. Following His instructions is the least we can do to show our gratitude. “Androcles and The Lion” teaches the lesson that doing what is right is first motivated by someone doing right by us. Gratitude is the basis for ethics.
A Sense of Wonder
Whether you are Christian or not, Christmas is a good time for renewal of innocence and wonder. The common sights of people excitedly opening gifts, decorating homes and public streets in lights, retelling stories of miracles and merriment — such experiences can rekindle in us a joyful pursuit of the good and the beautiful.
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Loving Pain as Given: A Review of Heroes, a Dark Twist on the Grateful Acre
For B, and other youth whose grateful acres host, if not prairies, at least patchy meadows. And for Gary McVey.
It’s been a year since Will Arbery’s play, Heroes of the Fourth Turning, took the conservative Catholic blogosphere – or rather, that part able to see the play or a private script – by storm. Now the script is available to the public. I ordered my copy here. If you can afford to, read it. Theaters remain closed, but the theater of imagination richly rewards reading a play. Reading reveals motifs easy to miss when a play just happens to you in performance and you can’t revisit it. This review addresses unspoken pressures, like the prosperity gospel (which may not influence orthodox Christians’ theology, but can influence their social expectations), behind what conservatives speculate is Heroes’ demonic finale, the “We” who may, or may not be, Legion.
I’m Just Fine in Here
Many years ago, my husband and I were invited to a small dinner party by friends of ours. We didn’t know the other people who attended, but I had heard of one of them. Her name was Peggy. She was a minister at the Church of Religious Science in Huntington Beach, CA and was living with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. At this point, she was confined to a wheelchair and was there with her husband. Someone who knew her but hadn’t seen her in a while asked her how she was doing. She answered, speaking with some difficulty, “I’m just fine in here.” I felt her smile and her face was glowing. I was so moved by the peace and joy she had found.
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At this time of year, Jews are preparing for the High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. One of my Torah study partners shared that there are many customs that can be practiced in this month of Elul and I wasn’t aware of them, so I did a little homework. Here is part of what I learned :
Grateful for What’s Not Happening
Watching riots, fires, attacks on law enforcement and listening to the idiotic decisions of mayors and governors is enough to drive any sane person over the edge. I try to limit my viewing of these incidents or reading about people taking steps to damage their cities and states.
And then I remind myself that I have so very much to be grateful for, regarding and in spite of coronavirus:
