Testing the Waters

Sunday, May 10th

Testing the Waters

Hello dear friends ~ How are you all doing this week? It’s amazing to me that the weeks go by so quickly, even as time also seems to be at a standstill. Life is full of those kinds of dichotomies these days…I woke from my Covid dreams with the birds at 4:44 this morning, similar to each morning this week. I try to go back to sleep, and am usually successful, though my mind is flooded with a myriad of thoughts about family, friends, unemployment, our next steps in this pandemic world. I ordered 3 more masks yesterday from a friend who is making them and donating all proceeds to a different organization each week, like the WHO Covid-19 Solidarity Fund, and the First Responders Children’s Foundation (thank you, Ruth and Hannah!). Wearing masks seems like such a small “sacrifice” to make as we start to re-enter public spaces and dip our toes into the waters of the larger community, and I am shocked and saddened by the anger and violence against this simple gesture that is surfacing in some parts of our country. The meme going around the interwebs these days conveys my feelings well on the matter: “The mask I wear to protect you recognizes and honors the mask you wear to protect me” ~ NAMASKE. (Thanks Beth and Stacey!). For me, it has nothing to do with fear, as some might suggest, but everything to do with respect and care for others. We are all in this together. I love you! Colleen

Yes, this time in the world is like no other that I’ve (ever) experienced so far (in 64 years)! There’s that Beatles song…”Will you still need me? Will you still feed me? When I’m sixty four…” and I’ve been singing it around the house, mostly to myself but sometimes out loud. And Colleen’s answer, in many humorous forms, is always YES! And I rewrite the lyrics in my head and serenade her with my best British-Ringo accent and affirm that I too, will (and do) need her AND appreciate her at (pick a number, but especially) 64! And that idea of human kindness flows out of my mind and heart in all directions to all aquaintances AND nonaquaintances…and reminds me that kindness and compassion is one of the greatest gifts we can share in any moment AND especially in moments like these! I will wear my mask for our mutual well being but please know that there is a big smile under it, that very much appreciates You ALL…Namaske! Mark

With gratitude and love and wishes for a Happy Mother’s Day,
C & M

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Our youngest Paths of Heart Community member, Jasper, sent us this Hope poem to share with you. Thank you, Jasper!

As noted in last week’s newsletter, we started something new last Sunday. Mark and Colleen will be available each Sunday on Facetime (or Zoom if you prefer!) from 10:30 a.m. – noon (when we’d normally be hanging out with you at Paths of Heart).
We’d love to visit with you individually in 10-15 minute increments to simply chat or maybe share a poem or a tune with you that you love . Let us know (you can reply to this newsletter) what time (and platform) is best for you and we’ll confirm with that time or the closest available. Depending on demand, if all the slots fill up for this week, you’ll be first in line next week! We’ll see how this goes and where it might lead…More is always being revealed!

Gratitudes

Thanks for the notes of encouragement and love we receive in our inbox and through the mail each week!

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.” ~ Roy T. Bennett

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.” ~ Alphonse Karr
“Today I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart, the peace that rests within my spirit, and the voice of hope that says all things are possible.” ~ Anonymous