Deep in the Heart of Texas

Good morning. It has been a few days - sorry - but some days there is just nothing to say. Actually I think I have been swirling down into the maelstrom of self-pity. Sitting here in a bed for the past 6 weeks has finally gotten to me - big time. It happens - but today seems to see a clearing of the fog a bit - and I am getting company tonight and tomorrow and that will help big time.

JC is coming back to visit and bringing his wonderful wife and old friend Mary with him. Mary is recovering from rotator cuff surgery and it will be good to have someone to compare scars with. Mary, JC and I all were in seminary together many years ago and I was one of the clergy that performed their wedding. Something many of you might not know is that many years ago after I quit serving the church in New York and decided I needed to live in CA again, I moved in with JC and Mary in Willits CA - way up north and my job was - sit down for this one - sorting pears in the pear sheds with 500 migrant workers - mostly women all speaking Spanish. Possibly the most miserable job I have ever had - standing for 8 hours looking down at a conveyor belt deciding which pears were grade A or B. I could go on for hours.

Before October ends I must wish Happy Birthday to 3 very special men in my life. Being locked in an industrial tan room on the 3rd floor of an institution I did not have the chance to buy a card and was not up to answering or sending email as most of you know. But to Charlie, Michael, and Owen I send belated birthday wishes. As one of the ideas of this blog is to collect a history of this particular journey maybe I will take this opportunity to share a bit of these special men and how they have impacted my overall journey.

Lets do this by age - sorry Charlie.
Owen, the youngest of the three is my great nephew - and great is the word for him. He is very bright, funny, adventurous and cute as can be. He is special to me for many reasons but one of those reasons is he is always ready to give me a huge hug and the phrase "I love you Unca Chuck".
Then there is Michael, or should I say the Reverend Father Michael T. SJ Grand Whoha of the Rectory of Loyola. That is in Buffalo NY and I think he uses his title to keep warm. Michael and I met in Seminary also and immediately became soul mates. We used to share steamed milk and truffles on cold nights in Berkeley and have journeyed all over the place together. Each of us made our first trip to PTown together. Michael is an amazing artist and if you have been to my home you had to have seen lots of his work.
And finally Charlie - well - although a book let alone a chapter of a book could be written about my love for each of these people I have only so much space here.
Charlie came into my life as an employee - which after about 5 days turned into my best friend and he, his partner Scott and I became inseparable. The parties at their home in the wine country, doing cabaret, holidays together - and the fact is the love shared by the 3 of us might just have saved my life for my years in Northern California.
I love all 3 of you very much - and thank you for being huge parts of my journey.

Well time for my bath and then a nap. (ok ok so it is not all bad)

Love Chuck