Hotei

This morning I found 2 packages on the front porch. Julie sent a hand-made pin from wool that she had spun. It's heart-shaped, purple with green border. She sent a rosary for Mark that she got in Bosnia. She and Brian had visited us on Valentine's and they were telling us about their trip to Bosnia where Mother Mary is said to frequent. Mark was really curious about that so she sent the rosary specifically for him. She sent a lovely card -- with an image of early spring blossoms from her garden. I cried as I read the card and looked at the gifts. Then I opened a package from Lynn. She sent a wooden Buddha named "Hotei". He is the laughing Buddha, the one with the long ear lobes and jolly smile. He symbolizes happiness, good luck and plentitude. He is already on my altar. Thank you, thank you.

When these things happen -- the physical manifestation of love -- I feel so honored. And inspired as well. To be a more compassionate and thoughtful person. Which is not to say that love is only "shown" through material objects. I continue to feel loving, loved and connected. I spoke to Wendy yesterday and told her that the feeling of being prayed for and thought of is visceral at times. Deepest gratitude for all of this. May it inspire all of us to develop our wisdom and compassion.

I'll be off-line until Monday as I'm driving out to the hills today after a museum visit with Val. Mark will stay in town as he is volunteering for the Boston Marathon on Monday and needs to attend some planning meetings. He needs to be downtown at 5:15 on Monday morning. He will ride his bike along the course with his ham radios. He's on the medical team and is in charge of communications.

I have a break from radiation until Tuesday. I am happy about that -- this is rough. 3 more full weeks, then a Monday. Getting there.

"You may think that happiness is possible only in the future, but if you learn to stop running, you will see that there are more than enough conditions for you to be happy right now. The only moment for us to be alive in is the present moment. The past is already gone and the future is not yet here. Only in the present moment can we touch life and be deeply alive."

–Thich Nhat Hanh, from Teachings on Love