It was about as good a xmas as I could have hoped for. I didn’t know how to resolve the problem of my brother and his family suddenly not coming because of his not wanting to leave my mother alone on xmas day. But on Saturday, I wrote a little prayer of sorts, asking for help in knowing how to talk to my brother to brainstorm a solution that would work for everyone. I thought about this some more on Sunday morning and then deliberately went for a little SOS by going cross country skiing in the Carelton Arb. I brought my daughter’s digital camera, because I’ve found that snapping photos helps me pay attention to the scenery and surroundings, rather than drifting off in thought about whatever noise comes into my head.
I came home from skiing and Robbie said “Why don’t you pick up your mom early xmas morning and have her come down here till early afternoon, then take her home before your sister comes.” I was shocked at her suggestion because she’s not really ready to be around my mother, yet here she was, suggesting it. So I called my brother and he thought it was a great idea so we got mom on a 3 way conference call and she said it would be best if she just went over to my brother’s for a little while and then went home, freeing up his family to come to our house in Northfield. I couldn’t believe it. It turned out better than I’d imagined and we had just a great xmas with my sister and brother’s family together with my family and Robbie’s folks for the first time in years.
I’m always amazed at how this form of prayer ‘works.’ The reflection, the asking for help and ideas (but not asking for the implementation of my solution or fulfillment of my desires), grabbing some solitude, and then relying on solutions to present themselves, keeping alert for inspiration to come from wherever. It’s reliable, just like gravity. Cool.