I was privileged to listen in on a conversation with three people, ages 81, 84, and 88. My parents spent many hours in friendship together, and it was so good to visit with my Mom, Art, and Anita this afternoon.
The conversation was spirited, reflective, and honest. Art and my parents share similar stories of immigration; my mom and Anita share growing up in Sussex, New Jersey. Being friends as married couples, shared ministry paths for Art and my Dad, and friendship through it all. There is so much shared life.
I am most grateful for the wisdom I gleaned from listening today. These are the words of honest reflection that come from years of living. I am aware of how technology and Google have diminished conversations between generations. What we used to ask of those who have lived longer, we now ask Google. In the busy pace of life, we miss the invitation to sit together and listen in on the stories of those from different generations.
Please consider creating space to sit with the younger (if you’re older) and to sit with the older (if you’re younger) and to listen to the stories of their lives. Listen for the spaces where their hearts are tender, their reflections are honest, and their experiences are insightful and impactful. We all have a lot to learn from each other. Tonight, I am grateful for today and the gift of listening to the older. I hold them dear to my heart! ❤️ Trish
There is something in this Mary Oliver piece that I have held since I read it last week. The tension for me in writing a blog is to consider what to write but not to contemplate it so long that it gets too lengthy or written like I have perfected something. And so I have continued to ask myself, what keeps me returning to this?
It started with a story from my sister, who overheard two friends of my Dad reflecting on how they miss our Dad, Peter. Their reflection was an honest conversation between two friends.
Then, as we were leaving, we ran into Lori. I hadn’t seen Lori in many years, but she introduced herself to my Mom as Len’s 9th-grade date to the banquet and then told us more about their friendship. t was so sweet to hear her talk about Len by name.
I am fascinated by watching their personalities unfold. One is trying to figure out how something works, and another is figuring out how durable something is. My great niece shares equal time in being Princess Anna and remote control cars while the youngest wants the doggie to go outside with him repeatedly.
I did not get my first dog till I bought my first house in 2003. I settled on a chocolate lab and named her Dutchess. Dutch was a dog I could have written a book about. She managed to eat everything in sight and get everything out of her reach as well. Here are some of my FB posts to give you a flavor:
Dear 
Dutch was full of adventure yet gentle and intuitive with babies and children. She was our first office dog and got so much love from so many! She was so loved by so many, and when it was time to say goodbye, many missed her. I had said then that I didn’t think I would ever get a dog again. And I didn’t for almost two years.
Willa is different in almost every way. But sweet
and excellent in all unique ways as well. She is a snuggler and so intuitive to emotions. She is intelligent, social, and confident. She is one to visit Capelli’s Salon every day when she is at the office, independently if I let her. She will prance down the hall and sit at their door till someone comes or goes, goes to the desk for her treat, and then stops to visit each salon station, giving love to staff and clients. She will then pick up her leash and run back to our office.
All this to say, as my plane landed today, I received this text. I am known to say it is always good to leave and always good to come home. Coming home and being greeted by the generous and abundant joy of a 3-year-old gentle black lab makes coming home all the sweeter!
