The Wonderful Gift Of A Beautiful Day

This was how we had church today.  Because of the Friday night storms, the power was somewhat missing at the church, and we are out of our cathedral space anyway, because of the roof replacement.  The power being out meant the elevators didn't work, so going up to Dean Willey Hall would automatically exclude some of the congregation who can't climb stairs.  The weather was so absolutely beautiful today, that we decided to have the 11 o'clock out in the East Garden.  It was a far less musical service than we usually have, but Mary Reynolds, Lou Kohlman and I did our best to get them singing during communion.  Mary started us off so we could agree on where we were and what we were singing.  Worked really well. 
This was just such a lovely, blue sky, birdsinging day.  It was so welcome and so wonderful after all the storms.  People were smiling everywhere we went.  Matt and I stopped in a couple of stores on the way home from church, to get some spices and to get some of the cheese I really like. 
We had a nice visit with Ralph and Julie, and it is good to see that they are hanging in there, even if it does get rough sometimes.  I welcome all good thoughts, prayers, and positive energy directed toward them finding a good place to live while their house is being rebuilt.  Julie needs a place to do her art, it is what she needs to process things. Also, their kitties really miss them, and would like to be with them for more than just a visit.  (We are OK, but we are NOT the RIGHT people.  It just isn't as much fun running our lives as it is for them to run Ralph and Julie's lives.) 

I took my walk this early evening, and the neighborhood is so peaceful today.  Children playing, the scent of people grilling in the backyard, a few mowers going, dogs barking, but overall pretty quiet and serene.  The sky so blue it hurts, with just a few very small wisps of white clouds up high.  The only sign of the recent bad weather is a few piles of tree limbs out by the curbs waiting for the yard waste guys to come get them tomorrow. 
Today I am so very grateful for the gift of this calm, beautiful weather.  The sun was warm, but the breeze was light and cool, the air was dry and pleasant.  I am grateful for all my Cathedral family gathered and praising God in spite of everything, just like we always have.  The Dean commented in his sermon about how this congregation knows about coming together to help in the face of tragic events.  He reminded us that he has heard our stories about the time after the 1995 Murrah Bombing.  He has heard more of them lately because the move to Dean Willey Hall while the roof is repaired is very reminiscent of those days.  Having so many in our communities suffering from the aftermath of the storms this past two weeks makes it feel even more like those days.  Now, as then, groups within the church are mobilizing to provide for whatever needs arise.  There are volunteers to help with cleanup, there are those willing to use expertise and resources to help victims who need assistance in navigating the recovery process.  The love in that congregation is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. 
I am also grateful for my friends who have endured so much, and are still full of laughter.  My coworkers and friends have been a part of my life, some of them for more than 14 years now.  The people here are what make this place such a very special place to live.  Why else do we hang around in the face of such awful storms?  The people here are amazing.  Resourceful, funny, loving, capable of making you absolutely astounded at some of their opinions, but still willing to love you even if you disagree with them.  We stayed after Matt retired because we loved our church family, had been through so much with them.  After we made even more friends here, we knew it was a special place, and this little suburb of Moore perhaps even more special.  This is one scrappy town.  It's been here since 1893, before statehood.  It's grown a lot just in the 20 years we have lived here.  I've seen the volume of our library's circulation increase by a large factor. There are more stores and restaurants here now, and we DID have a wonderful small hospital.  (We sincerely hope Norman Regional will rebuild our hospital.  It is a huge asset to the community, and it met many medical needs for us with ease and efficiency.)  We also have a world class movie palace and IMAX theater here in Moore, and the man who owns it is very committed to this city.  He has already reopened the theatre after the damage from the May 20 tornado was repaired.  (And it wasn't much damage.  He designed the place with tornadoes in mind.  Smart man, and one we are glad is part of our community in Moore.)

I keep coming back to this beautiful morning in the garden.  Our columbarium spaces are just behind where Matt was standing when he took this photo.  Love South 15 and 16 are our spaces.  This garden is where what is left of us will be for as long as the Cathedral stands.  I am very happy about that.  Only appropriate that our ashes are left where our hearts have so often been, in the midst of life at St. Paul's.   Children play in this garden between and after the services.  Picnics are held here.  It is a happy place as well as a place of remembering. 

I thank God for the beautiful gift of this day.  I pray that all the stormy days are behind us, at least for this season, and that we may dwell in this sunshine and peace for awhile now.  Our weary spirits need the respite.  Those who  must rebuild need the good weather to complete the task.  May we be ever mindful of what a gift days like today are, and may we remain grateful.
As Ever,
Katie