Dear Reader:

Yesterday was the ending of a full circle of days spent together as a family. It has been so nice cuddling with Eva Cate each afternoon as we watched the Hallmark mystery movies together-I realize our shared love for these type movies won’t last long as Eva Cate grows and changes so I know this time is precious.

It is the same with everyday rituals-Kent Nerburn discusses this when reflecting meals together at the end of the day.

One evening while eating supper together Nerburn observes: ” It dawned on me that the table itself is prayer enough. It draws us into a circle, the most mythic and powerful of all human shapes. We pass the food from hand to hand, the most sacramental of all common human acts. Though it remains unspoken , even unrealized, our shared meal creates a bond among us and for a moment,makes us one.

There is no mystery in why Jesus chose a meal to reveal his death to those he loved, why he chose a meal to commemorate his truth. It is the time of common celebration when the taking of nourishment fills us with simple joy.

The Dakotah Sioux would often take the choicest piece of meat and cast it into the fire before beginning to eat. The Tibetans place the first food of a meal outside the door as an offering to the hungry spirits.

Today food comes too easily to us thus we have lost the sense of the meal as holy gift. We care less about sustenance, more about choice. Still… as I watch the family laugh, argue, share stories of the day-we are filled with the elemental joy that comes with nourishment. It is a small moment… but it is ours.

Leaving yesterday…. I agree with Kent Nerburn! Missing shared meals with family will be one of the hardest rituals to lose… eating by oneself is very different.

So until tomorrow… Thank you Father for opportunities to still feel needed and be part of Your Family within our families.

*** The Ukraine Fundraiser Honey is participating in are ” Bowls for Hope.” To raise funds for humanitarian efforts. Every year St John’s in the Wilderness conducts an ” empty bowl” project for the community. Honey took this idea she has contributed her talents to… for years and applied it to Ukraine-sorry I confused you calling it a plate-they are bowls made personally by hand by our Honey. Good deeds are still alive and well with good people!

One funny last note: Jake, my first grader, told me yesterday morning… before leaving for school, he was going to ask his teacher if he was good enough to earn the ” coveted” 5 Star for being really really good-after all he has been living with four ” girls” all week since his dad left. ” Four?” I asked. ” Yes! You and mommy and Eva Cate and Winnie.” I kept a straight face and told him I hoped he got his ” 5.” Time will tell.