Pay Attention

Well, the 4-Runner cured itself.  The service manager says that happens often.  So,  no tape needed.  The lights went off by themselves………..Thanksgiving was wonderful with all ten of us and Frank and Todd all sitting around one long table - actually two pushed together end to end.  Turkey (2 of them Luke fried), ham, dressing and gravy, sweet potato pie, cranberry salad (which only two of us ate), macaroni and cheese (which everyone ate), collards, and so forth.  Now everyone is at home.  Clemson beat Carolina so my whole family is elated!  Well, Susan may be a bit disappointed - she and I both went to Carolina so there's a bit of empathy there………And finally this morning I'm back to my morning reading.  Now, Frederick Buechner's Whistling in the Dark.  This is fast becoming one of my favorite books.  This morning's read included a haiku that really fits my situation:  An old silent pond.  Into the pond a frog jumps.  Splash! Silence again.  He writes that this is perhaps the best known of all Japanese haiku.  This is my first time reading it.  I am sitting now overlooking the pond, as I do so many times during my days.  Hundreds of times I have heard the frog jump and silence returning.  Buechner is writing about paying attention: literature, painting, music all are asking us to pay attention.  Pay attention to the world and all that dwells therein and thereby learn at last to pay attention to yourself and all that dwells therein……learn to listen to the music of your own lengths of time, your own silences.