"No Fair!"

Reflections on life through the lens of MSR, chapter 77.

Yes, Lizzie had to do some soul-searching there ... it's a good thing she does have a soul, after all. But people presuppose that she'll learn from her mistakes, or, in fact, that anybody does.

Life is a comedy, and the comedy is that nobody learns from their mistakes, ever. They just go on repeating the same set of mistakes, over and over again, and the hilarious part is that they cry out about the unfairness of it all.

I have a daughter very good at doing this: when I impose justice, she cries out "No fair!" when, in fact, what she was doing was not fair, and the justice imposed is very fair ("put down your book until you put away your clothes on the floor, EM" EM: "No fair!").

Such is life: God provides a lesson, we don't learn it, and then there's the drama of it all.

The neat thing about this story is that both girls have chances to learn, over and over again, and they have the room to screw that up, even, and they have room to grow.

Let's see if they do.

The Simple Life: Exercise more; eat less

Dear LORD,

Thank You for today and everyday. Thank You, particularly, for this weekend.  It was special in that we didn't do anything that the World would consider "productive." Instead of working at work or indulging in self-gratifying pleasure, I spent time with my family, my friends, and with th You, my LORD. We went to Mass Saturday night and then again at the Noon Mass on Sunday.  Thank you for giving us the gift of the Mass, in that we may worship You any, and even every, day of the week.

Then we also had a 5k run.../walk. I saw a whole "lotta" walking in that race by most of the participants, except me.  Thank You for giving me the determination to see something through and the stubbornness to see it through to the end.  "Run the race to win." Thank You, also, for giving me the humility to see how much, much better I could have been if I had prepared better by exercising more and eating less than what I did.

Life is simple, like You: cause follows effect follows cause. Help me to live a simple life in Your Love, through Jesus, the Christ.

Amen.

Be Gentle...

This is the birthday card cover from my sister, Beki.

Inside was better:

"April 29, 2013

Dear Doug,

I wished I had left this card for you in VA to find on your birthday, as I had originally planned. I even thought about giving it to you blank at the bus station because, as you can see, we had the same birthday wish for you, which is so dang cool!

I saw this card at Whole Foods, and after being blessed with several heartwarming, deeply satisfying visits, these were my best pieces of advice for you — my remaining wishes.  Be gentle, breathe; stay in the moment; remember the big picture; and sing. Sing loudly. sing FUlly. Sing skankily :)! Sing like those are the last words to pass from your living lips. Sing bravely.

I love you and I am glad you are my big brother. Thank you for giving me the gift of knowing you a little better, a little more honestly, during your birthday week.

You are truly a blessing in my life.

Forever yours,
Beki"

Thankgiving for being loved

Dear LORD,

Thank You for today. Thank You for allowing me to be productive and playful at work.  It is a rare thing that a man can contribute in this world and have fun doing it: thank You for allowing me this time to have both these blessings.

Thank You for giving me courage to talk with Dharni about the business plan for my trading system. Please make that plan a worthwhile and fruitful endeavor, not only for me and my family, but also for my friends that I have gained through Your blessed Beneficence.

LORD, please bless Mike, Mikey and Mia, myself and my mother: my family that has celebrated birthdays these past few weeks. Let them love and be loved.

Thank you for the simple supper tongiht of a Chik-fil-a chicken wrap and pancakes; a silly supper, but a special one because I got to spend time with my girls and listen to them practicing their French drills with that ridiculous Southern accent, and see their wonderful smiles and know that I am loved, just because, is all.

I am very blessed, LORD. Thank You.

I pray all this in the Name of Jesus, the Christ.

Amen.

"How Many Kings...?"

Dear LORD,

Today my thanks and gratitude is realizing this: "How many kings have come down from their thrones ... for me?"

Thank You for being all that You are, for me.

And, today, looking at my meager accomplishments, I feel so unworthy, so undeserving, but You stepped down from Your throne, surrounded by angelic praise, not to save me when I'm strong (You did that, too), but to save me now, when I don't want to be saved, when I don't deserve salvation.

Thank You for waking me when my mis-set alarm did not, so I can be here for my friends, Jack and Jim, to pray with and for them.

LORD, save us all, in the Name of Jesus.

Amen.

Thankfulness

Dear LORD,

Thank You for today and this week.

Oof. My birthday week was tough, and I brought it upon myself, making my story, MSR, not what people were expecting. Well, now it's out there, and I have to deal with writing into this antagonism and animosity. Or so how I view it. And I have much to be grateful for: that I can write, that I can write well, ... so well that one girl is alive today who wouldn't've been if she didn't read my stories.

I have my understanding, patient and loving family. I have my job in which I am blessed to be working with smart, kind, and friendly coworkers. I have food and shelter. I have so much to be grateful for, and it's through Your Grace.

Thank you, LORD.

Amen.

Für Mutti

Dear LORD, 

I humbly offer this holy hour with You for my mother, and ask that You watch over her, guide her, love her, and give her peach and happiness this week on her birthday. May she love and accept love, particularly from her children.

I ask this in the Name of Jesus, the Christ.

Amen.