- Finishing up a paper today.
- BlueEyes is taking me for a mani/pedi (something I've never done) today. She wants my feet, in particular, to be well tended to so that I will feel more grounded, rooted.
- Reading the Letter from a Birmingham Jail.
- Listening to lots of Sweet Honey in the Rock. Oh, and this:
- Enjoying my dreams...Ysaye Maria Barnwell of Sweet Honey showed up night before last, encouraging me to sing, loudly. Dr. Vincent Harding, emeritus professor at Iliff (among other things...follow the link), showed up last week, ten feet tall and cradling me in his arms.
- Got the chance to tell Dr. Harding about my dream, and he hugged me and rocked me in his arms. (OK, the man who worked closely with Dr. King, who helped draft King's speeches including "Beyond Vietnam," hugged me, and told me I was a blessing to him. I was completely humbled and nearly speechless.)
- Tomorrow I'm going to a global bazaar thing where my cielo's women's group is selling their handmade stuff. Supposedly there will be henna...what do you say, henna painters? Well, you can get henna'd. So I am going to try to get my feet henna'd, with a design of vines and leaves, again to help me feel rooted and grounded.
- Taking my vitamins.
- Breathing. Lots of breathing. I feel like I need to do a yoga sun salutation series today.
- Tomorrow night my dear friends will be coming over to surround me in prayer. The traditional chocolate communion will take place.
- My own praying, praying with my cielo.
- Preparing my trial journal, with quotes that inspire me, Scripture that encourages me, and photos of dear ones to surround me (or just to make me happy, like this one. Thanks, Anita!)
- Meditating on the imagery/metaphor that came from the Spirit to help me through this: I am in my little canoe, on the river, holding on to my paddle. Trusting my river guide (Jesus) to help me get through the rapids. Recognizing when I'm not actually IN the rapids and just enjoy where I am. Knowing I am alone in the boat (with Jesus), but my friends, my family, the ancestors, the martyrs, are lining the riverbanks, praying me safely home. The paddle...is prayer, breath, awareness, singing. Remembering that the rapids are not permanent, not the end of the river, but a "slight momentary affliction" that I will get through. Knowing that even if the boat tumps over, I will be fine.
Beautiful.
From Showings
-Julian of Norwich
And so our good Lord answered to all the questions and doubts which I could raise, saying most comfortingly: I may make all things well, and I can make all things well, and I shall make all things well, and I will make all things well; and you will see yourself that every kind of thing will be well...
And in these...words God wishes us to be enclosed in rest and in peace.
(thanks, Muser, for the quote..)
