The Invitation of a White Christmas

Ermine Throw

The ermine throw
drapes itself
over table, chairs,
barbecue,
garden walls,
brick patio.
Soft, silent white
in the cold black night.

Just as new snow blankets everything, presenting a pristine canvas, freshness, newness, the moments of our lives present us with this same opportunity to create something fresh and new.

Yesterday, on Christmas Day, several television programs focused on newness and good. CNN Heroes featured ten unheralded, everyday people making a difference in the world by nurturing ghetto gang members in Chicago, feeding hungry children in Anaheim, CA, giving hope to Haitian orphans through soccer, providing wheelchairs to people in rural Mexico, saving the lives of mothers and babies in Indonesia. Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Will Ferrell, Jerry Seinfeld are using their fame to support projects for good. A ten-year-old inspires others with a project to bring clean water to Africa. An eighteen-year-old builds homes for the homeless. The flame of their passion can ignite ours, one person at a time. Former President, Bill Clinton, who is actively involved in rebuilding Haiti, spoke about how important it is, to him and for others, to always be doing something new.

This first Christmas in New Mexico, almost everything I’m experiencing is new from the most mundane activities to larger possibilities. The small ones allow me to be mindful of the fresh new opportunity each moment brings and the larger possibilities available. For the first time in more than sixty years, I own an ice scraper ($2.49, Ace Hardware) and a can of Prestone Windshield De-Icer (“Melts Ice Fast,” “Reduces Dangerous Re-Freeze” (what’s that?). Snow comes in dry, light, fluffy flakes that blow off the windshield when driving and drifts across black asphalt streets. Or, sometimes it falls as huge, wet flakes. I’ve never before experienced being in a community pool watching snow fall outside. I’ve never made a call to 211, 311 or 511. My first call to 311, Albuquerque’s live community hotline, answered the question, “Is the Los Altos pool open today?” My first call to 511 provided road condition information between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. New experiences. Fresh ideas beckon with the coming new year. Which ones do I want to activate in my life?

An article in the Albuquerque Journal invited poets to an “open mic” night at a local independent bookstore to read their poetry aloud. I went. I read. I was inspired by a Chicana slam champion who teaches at the University of New Mexico. I bought her book of poems. She’s planning an event in the Hispanic community connecting children and grandparents with poetry. I told her I would be in touch. New experiences. New possibilities to express, to connect, to be involved, to contribute, to make a difference. The open mic moderator publishes Adobe Walls, an anthology for New Mexico poets. He invited submissions for the next volume. I listened. I submitted six poems. One of my poems, “Snake Charmer,” has been accepted for publication. In his newest book,* Gregg Braden writes “…destiny…is the child of action.”

I’ve also decided to add a new feature to the blog to provide answers to the question, “And then what happened?” I plan to call it “More to be revealed..." It will feature updates to previous postings. The first entry, this week, will describe what happened after “From Beach to Bosque” was written. It reminds me of the old serial movies where the viewer was left with a cliffhanger, wondering what happened next, until the following week. Just not as exciting! Grin…

Looking ahead this week to a Burning Bowl Ceremony at the Unity Church, I am considering what I will write down, burn up and release from my life. Previous selections have included “the past,” or, (eeek!) “the known.” Caveat lector, be careful what you ask for!! There can be unintended consequences….at least unconscious ones, lol. What will I declare for the New Year? I know there is something within me that already knows what I am ready to release and what I am ready to claim. I’ll know what they are at the right time. I invite you to join me in accepting the invitation of the pristine, fresh, new snow to act, to create your destiny. My experience of the following quotation is that it is true: W.H. Murray stated, "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” The last two lines are attributed to Goethe. May you have a fresh, inspiring new year.

*Deep Truth: Igniting the Memory of Our Origin, History, Destiny and Fate by Gregg Braden (p.241)

More to Be Revealed: A visit to the website of the two women who just launched the new literary magazine, bosque (the magazine), is one of startling beauty - a serene photo of the Rio Grande and surrounding bosque (forest) (http://www.abqwriterscoop.com/). It left me with no doubt I had found the next "breadcrumb." They plan a Spring Writer's Retreat next March with ten spots available and an offered review of 25 manuscript pages. I emailed for information. I sent a requested 5-page sample of my writing. I had a 10-minute phone conversation, and I sent a deposit to hold a space. I know by then I will complete 25 pages of A Caregiver's Journey: Supporting Adult Children with Cancer. “…destiny…is the child of action.”

Blurbs from the Burque: "Hot. Single. Available." Billboard description of color hamburger photo for Blake's Lotaburger. Brilliant.