It's been a while. I apologize.
Here's a recent gem...
From an essay on the 18th century: "...when the poor couldn't afford to keep their children, they placed them in fondling hospitals." (I do believe she meant "foundling hospitals.")
In other news, we just completed angel/mortal week. I found myself really, really, ridiculously amused by creating gifts, for some reason. I suppose I needed the distraction. Why are gifts so much fun? The endearing gifts I received from what I am guessing is a Korean girl (we find out Monday):
1. 1 piece of cornbread (gift-wrapped)
2. 1 Cadbury's eclair (gift-wrapped)
3. 2 labels that say, "Ms. Seefeldt," made with a label-making machine. They're red. And they arrived gift-wrapped. In a very small package. I've already put one on my calculator. Useful.
4. 1 packet of seaweed. Also gift-wrapped. With instructions to try to stay warm. It is definitely cold here, and staying warm is a challenge, but I'm not sure how to utilise the seaweed. Ideas? Wearing it doesn't seem a viable option.
5. 1 hand-written copy of the "Footprints" poem. With little heart stickers instead of footprints in the sand. I find this one oddly endearing. It must have taken hours.
Deep Thought for the Day: Yes, it's true that it's the thought that counts. Maybe it's the individuality of gift-giving that makes it so precious for the giver and the receiver. Even when we try to think of the receiver in the choosing of a gift, the gifts inevitably reveal our own priorities, tastes or senses of humor. In the giving and receiving, there's the potential for a moment of rare understanding, a moment when we genuinely pause to consider the Other. How may I serve in my giving? How have I been served in my receiving?
Here's a recent gem...
From an essay on the 18th century: "...when the poor couldn't afford to keep their children, they placed them in fondling hospitals." (I do believe she meant "foundling hospitals.")
In other news, we just completed angel/mortal week. I found myself really, really, ridiculously amused by creating gifts, for some reason. I suppose I needed the distraction. Why are gifts so much fun? The endearing gifts I received from what I am guessing is a Korean girl (we find out Monday):
1. 1 piece of cornbread (gift-wrapped)
2. 1 Cadbury's eclair (gift-wrapped)
3. 2 labels that say, "Ms. Seefeldt," made with a label-making machine. They're red. And they arrived gift-wrapped. In a very small package. I've already put one on my calculator. Useful.
4. 1 packet of seaweed. Also gift-wrapped. With instructions to try to stay warm. It is definitely cold here, and staying warm is a challenge, but I'm not sure how to utilise the seaweed. Ideas? Wearing it doesn't seem a viable option.
5. 1 hand-written copy of the "Footprints" poem. With little heart stickers instead of footprints in the sand. I find this one oddly endearing. It must have taken hours.
Deep Thought for the Day: Yes, it's true that it's the thought that counts. Maybe it's the individuality of gift-giving that makes it so precious for the giver and the receiver. Even when we try to think of the receiver in the choosing of a gift, the gifts inevitably reveal our own priorities, tastes or senses of humor. In the giving and receiving, there's the potential for a moment of rare understanding, a moment when we genuinely pause to consider the Other. How may I serve in my giving? How have I been served in my receiving?
