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Last week we went to New York to join in the celebration of the baptism of our grand daughter Madeline Grace Medina at St. Malachy's, also known as the Actors Chapel on West 49th Street in Manhattan. We only had a few days to spend and we were graciously put up by good friends Lynn Sherman and Hank Halperin in Bellerose, Long Island, just across the Queens border. They are a long married couple of thirty years who are a wonderfully steeped in hospitality. Many thanks once again Lynn and Hank.
Our stay was extended by several days as our flight was canceled in advance of a snow storm that threatened the very existence of New York City - according to the weather terrorists and city and state politicians who shut down everything including the subways. At one point I began to think snow was an evil substance coming straight from the bowels of hell to swallow us all up and drag everyone to the lower regions. Such was the news coverage of the storm.
Once back in Maine, as an ex-patriot from NYC for ten years now, I looked out my meditation window from our guest bedroom and saw snow which was thankfully just snow. The child within me saw a wonderland of white covering everything and I once again felt right with the world. In the last seven days we have had 45 inches of new snow which is simply for this area just something to be dealt with. Not that big a deal. What still amazes me is that just a few hours after each of the three storms we had the roads are clear and safe to drive due to Mainers who have the attitude that it is just what we do - happens every Winter. I always miss a lot about New York but I am glad to be home again in this State where Lee and I have made a good life together.
Here is a picture of Bridget and Rudy Medina with Madeline at the baptism. Do not be fooled by the sweet look on Maddie's face, she was well aware of everything going on around us. Perhaps it is grand parent sight but I do not remember seeing a four month old being so interested in her surroundings. During the Mass and the luncheon afterwards Maddie was alert and checking out all within her sight, never once cried and did not take a nap. Anyway, it was a joy to be with this new family who are also out family. Well done all three of you!
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Here is a video with a different perspective on our place in the universe:
And another video looking at the smallest and the largest things in the universe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMLPJqeW78Q
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The next eight photos were taken at the Museum
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The next eight photos were taken at the Museum
So much is to be learned from those who have gone before,
Wisdom is never in short supply if one looks to the past
and incorporates the experience of so many mentors who lived well -
Teachers all, holders of the Teachings that do not rely on only what is new.
"The conversation"
Dancing by Herself ......
Why look at the copy when the original is in plain sight?
The information desk at the museum in the Great Hall.
The next four images are about hands, the most remarkable part of our bodies that enable us to do and sense so much in the journey through life.
All encounters we have with each other have their grounding in our hands. Reaching out to shake another's hand in friendship, offering something to eat perhaps and serving with our hands, so many gestures with hands to punctuate ideas in our dialog. Perhaps to take a few minutes with the Gift of our hands and to notice the many ways we use them at every moment.
So without comment I offer a few hands in the following images taken at the Museum.
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Lee and I took a walk through Times Square after the post Baptism luncheon. Here where the ball drops on New Year's Eve the area has been taken over by huge flashing screens, today's updated billboards along with an ever changing cast of characters, who by their presence offer interesting viewing to the onlooker.
I do not know what was going on here, sorry,
after all it is Times Square.
I leave it to you to add a caption to this photograph.
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Some Humor:
Peace until the next post,
Bill Lagerstrom
