Yesterday I made it to chapel for the first time this year. When people ask what it is like to be in seminary, I usually tell them first about chapel. It defines the uniqueness of the seminary experience. Classes and community life are not that different from other college experiences, but only seminaries and monasteries begin the day in common prayer. I know that when I move on from here, it will be daily chapel with people I know and care about that I’ll miss most.
I know what my values are when I choose to do anything other than attend chapel. Last week, I’d intended to take Zachary to chapel with me. He was most curious in asking why we have church everyday. Yet, each morning the opportunity to spend time alone with him, cuddling while we watched cartoons, or fixing breakfast amidst his four year old questions, was enough of a heart-tug that I didn’t want to break the spell by going as far as chapel. My cold this week has been so debilitating that I only made it to chapel on Thursday.
On Thursday we have Eucharist at the 8:30 service. It is our equivalent of a Sunday service. We celebrated Martin Luther King Day. This day was a modified service in which we read King in addition to a bit of Hebrew Bible and a Gospel passage. Forty years after King’s call for wages that would sustain families, and we still are far from work that provides a living wage.
Work life is remote to me these days, and I feel especially grateful that we are able to take this time to attend to my health and also to enjoy seminary without the necessity of work simply because we had good wages for so many years. I’m keenly aware of our privilege.
I saw Dr. Stone on the 10th, a day earlier than expected, because I was running a fever with this cold. They did extra blood and other tests to rule out systemic infections. Dr. Stone assured me that I just have a cold. We also learned that they are looking at more database matches for blood donors; they are expecting blood samples from ten more people. My next appoint is in two weeks, no exact date set yet. If there is no donor by then, we will proceed with a transplant using cord blood.
Dear Bonnie, and Daniel, and children and grandchildren,
I cherish our time on Oak Island. Despite my poor photography I'm enjoying sharing my photos with friends here. It gives life to our friendship to share it with others. And this morning Rusty called. We talked a long time about all of us at Penn State, living in State College, how we've all mellowed (and sometimes how we haven't). It was all so long ago, but doesn't seem so at all. We talked about Tom Benson. Rusty does film seminars in Hartford, and she says she owes her ongoing interest in film STUDY to him. Everything is so linked together, like forging a chain.
And to me, having relished our friendship, yours and mine, since 1972, I particularly value you, dear Daniel, and all you've brought to all our lives. You remind me so of dear Rodney - all the best parts. And I find you so deep and caring, so loving and ongoing - and then I think about Jennifer and Ron, and Debra, and the grandchildren. Having lost my own, you've shared yours. You cannot know what they all mean to me. Those pictures adorn my office, and to my colleagues, YOU are my family.
School has started again..faculty convocation was Friday...classes begin Tuesday. I teach twice a week on our Sugar Land campus. Will save gas money. It's so much closer. And I'm named to the Compliance Committee as we begin preparation for Southern Association accreditation study. A two year effort. I'm glad I still care about these things, and that they energize me. I pray for all of us, and everyone we know. Life is so good, and so rich in love and experience. As Rodney always said in times of peril, "Hold on tight." And we do. And we will. God being our helper.
Mary Austin
Posted by: Mary Newman | January 14, 2006 at 08:54 AM