This past week has been so very full, yet fun, rewarding, and unbelievable.  A treasure of days.  So much so that I have procrastinated getting started writing!
On my birthday last Sunday I attended church and returned home to hear a knock at the hallway door.  There were Karen and Kate – “Happy Birthday!”  and a door that was “wrapped” top to bottom with a big 80 in the middle (!) and a draped “Happy Birthday” across the corner!  A large wish on the door indicated it had come from Karen, Ben, Kate and Daniel (along with a bouquet of flowers).   We took some pics and then headed for the dining room and Sunday Brunch.  We enjoyed the company of my William and Mary friend Marilyn and her husband Gene as well as Lynn and Roy O’Connor, pickleball superstars!  It was also Gene’s birthday … and the wait staff came and sang “Happy Birthday” to us as they often do.
I had also received a surprise from David and family in Massachusetts: a DVD that opened with scenes and sounds on the farm, “Happy Birthday” with the kids on various instruments and David on his drums, some outdoor shots, and a closing with “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah” – an original birthday version sung by “The Ashfield Six!”
Big transition…. to the 40th Anniversary Gathering of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation (Pronounced “sha-lame” ) which began at 4 pm at the Conference and Retreat Center at Bon Secours, Marriottsville, MD.  Part of the gathering included a 40-Hour Contemplative Prayer Vigil focused on prayers for the world. A number of luminaries in the field of contemplative practices and leadership were sponsors. Many people in countries around the world participated and the opening was live-streamed. The second part of the week’s gathering was for the Shalem Society, representing those who had completed one of the organization’s residential programs. I had been part of the pilot program for what was to become the Group Leaders’ Program except instead of four residencies over two years, it was a local weekly for two years, minus holidays.  I’ve been part of Shalem for 29 years… and consider it a transformational part of my life, helping me channel my extraverted nature toward the calmer and deeper aspects of life, adopting contemplative practices which I have delighted in sharing. (The icon is “Compassion” by Robert Lentz.)
Before getting too serious and before getting into the lengthy silence, we had an introductory session and then dinner – where about 50 of us got acquainted or re-acquainted from previous Society gatherings. In this environment I was suddenly surprised to see Monica (long time office staff) appear with my dessert and a candle (artificial as no real ones are allowed there!) and once again “Happy Birthday” was sung by all. This was very moving for me as many of you know that I was not certain I would be able to attend when I registered some months back. It was  a miracle – because I was not only able to attend, but to attend with my seeming former energy. Unbelievable. But yes – celebrate life!!
Our time together as a group during the vigil was optional but one could attend Simple Presence (30 min. of silence following a reading before breakfast), Meditations with the body in stretching or walking in the beautiful outdoors, and Night Prayers.  The second half included presentations related to our theme “Trusting the Spirit: The Heart of Contemplative Leadership.”  We had “Listening Groups” that met four times, giving us an opportunity to share our insights or nudgings with one another. Here is my group from VA, D.C., MO, and Canada. This enabled us to go deeper and become more open as we explored the challenges presented to us personally as well as to Shalem.  There was also an opportunity for me to do a presentation with my Tibetan bowls – the history, use, composition, overtones, effects, etc.    It was held in the large chapel at Bon Secours and was video-taped. Our final gathering was at lunch on Thursday and we had to part ways, some returning to fairly local places, others to the west coast, Texas, Canada and the mid-west. “Until we meet again…”
My week was still in progress though, and I drove down the road, actually I-70, to Ellicott City where I picked up Nancy Davis, my friend from childhood – her dad had been the town dentist and my dad the H.S. Principal in Thurmont, MD. Yes, where Camp David is, only we remember it as Shangri-la. 🙂  I was 2 and she was 3 when we first met; we have pictures too! We had visits off and on during our lives but have been more connected in recent years. Both of us have lost our husbands. Since I needed to go to the Summit house to retrieve some items she came along and we had 24 hours to catch up and tell tales from the past. I appreciated her help with odds and ends as I get horribly distracted (Paul always accused me of chasing rabbits!) and get side-tracked from my intended mission. On Friday we went in to Waynesboro where we had tea/lunch at a place that is quaint and fun (“Tranquilatea”). Their tomato bisque was featured, my favorite, and as it turned out, Nancy’s too. They sell packets for a starter and it is so delicious we both stocked up. And then it was time to head back home. Oh, yes, another birthday treat too!
It seemed a jolt to return here Friday night. Like returning to a different world. Well, it is! For a week I was essentially on vacation from any environmental reminders of cancer routines and questions. I had felt like “me” again. However, so as not to be let down too suddenly, I had the joy of finding a stack of birthday cards in my mailbox and cubbie as well as a bevy of messages on the answering machine. I curled up in the lazyboy and cherished each one. (I discovered that opening from the back – when you have a bundle – and not making the return address visible enabled me to appreciate each card far more as I savored the message and was then surprised to see who it was from.  I recommend it!)  And thus came the end of an incredible week celebrating birthday, good health, Shalem’s 40th, and childhood friendships that last.
Monday I begin taking decadron again since chemo is Tuesday.   (Although it is a steroid, it does work against nausea with certain chemo drugs, I learned.)  But it surely hyped me up for several nights last time. I’ll be sure to have my Ambien and Xanax ready!! Facing chemo isn’t so bad when I realize that it is at least partially (in addition to your thoughts and prayers) responsible for my improved health!  I usually get a good two weeks out of three feeling fine. How am I right now? The only “downers” are occasional foot pain, continuing nose dripping (!) and very bothersome eye watering. I took the drops that were prescribed for a maximum of seven days, but to no avail. The ophthalmologist thinks it is probably from the chemo; no one really knows. These are the least of my cares at this point. I prefer to be actively attentive to more important aspects of life as these things can be tolerated. Instead I pray for my friend Nancy who is in danger of losing her sight due to an eye disorder/disease I can’t remember the name of; it is serious. She is a musician who practices with enlarged piano and violin music in order to play in small groups and to satisfy her love of music. We play piano duets when I visit her; we giggle like the children we once were. Her vision problem makes it hard for her; my lack of practice for years makes my sight-reading sound like I’m the one with the poor vision. But it is a joy nevertheless … please send your caring thoughts and prayers her way, if you will. I want to share all this incredible support.
In closing this lengthy entry I feel led to share this quote that is from Celtic Daily Prayer and one of the “Aidan” entries for October 13. I had seen it many decades ago and it had slipped from my memory.
Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away.   –  George Eliot
These words feel amazingly suitable for this past week. They speak of trust, just as we did for several days, and they speak of friendships – for which I am most grateful.