Marriage Moats-My World Traveler
Published: Sun, 01/08/12
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 My daughter is on a plane somewhere over the Atlantic. She has spent the past four months in Ireland, Italy, Greece, Belgium and France. You know, the ones that are going bankrupt.
I am pretty excited about seeing her again. She will have stories to tell, and photos to upload. Or download. I am never sure which it is. Anyway she leaped into a term at the University of Galway, and joined the debate team. She learned how to verbally spar against students with thick brogue about subjects she knew nothing about previously. And win. It's funny but when I first held her in my arms twenty one years ago, Ireland and debating were not anywhere on my wishlist for her life. John did notice that she could hug so vigorously at the age of one that he lost his balance. I suppose that could have been a heads up that she could take life on with gusto.
I wonder sometimes which is best... knowing what is ahead or not knowing. Just suppose I could have read the Cliff notes about my children, the way a birthmother making an adoption plan for her child can read about the family she places her baby with. What would it have been like if I could know the celebratory and the scary stuff two decades ahead of schedule? This daughter will get a degree in Physics, learn Italian, jump out of an airplane on purpose, and eventually outsmart you. She will have her heart broken a few times, but will marry a wonderful man and have three children.
Notice how I only said the good things? I tried to type a medium trauma or two, but the mouse froze.
I think we are wired to expect blessings. Maybe that sounds like a fairy tale, but I buy it. When I try to name the tragedies that have exploded in my life... they all morphed into miracles.
My mother was bi polar. When the smoke of a lifetime cleared, she and the people in arms length all had forgiveness etched into their bones. Besides she is no longer manic.
We lived on government subsidy with four children in Albuquerque. Not only did I learn how to spell Albuquerque I found out that laughter and music are free. I composed some of my best songs then, like Can a Woman Forget Her Nursing Child.
Benjamin was diagnosed with autism. I discovered that weird people are cute, and loveable. But even more tender than the effect on me is seeing his siblings treat him with respect and joy. His sister, the one on the plane now, will most likely have a spunky conversation with him about Plants vs Zombies. Both of them will smile hugely.
I do not know what travesties are in store for my children. But I believe that God does. And He leads all things to good.
Those who trust in the Divine are altogether different. Though
concerned about
the morrow, yet are they unconcerned, in that they are not anxious, let
alone worried, when they give thought to the morrow. They remain
even-tempered whether or not they realize their desires, and they
do not grieve over their loss; they are content with their lot. If they become
wealthy they do not become infatuated with wealth; if they are promoted
to important positions they do not consider themselves
worthier than others. If they become poor they are not made miserable
either; if lowly in status they do not feel downcast.They know that for those who trust in the Divine all things are moving towards
an everlasting state of happiness, and that no matter what happens at any time to them, it contributes to that state.
Emanuel Swedenborg, Heavenly Secrets 8478
Photo by Jenny Stein
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