An "Auld Lang Syne" Friday Five

It is hard to believe, but 2007 is about to be history, and this is our last Friday Five of the year. With that in mind, share five memorable moments of 2007. These can be happy or sad, profound or silly, good or bad but things that you will remember. Bonus points for telling us of a "God sighting"-- a moment when the light came through the darkness, a word was spoken, a song sung, laughter rang out, a sermon spoke to you in a new way--whatever you choose, but a moment in 2007 when you sensed Emmanuel, God with us. Or more particularly, with you.

1. I am sure this will surprise no one, but the first one has to be what happened on January 7th. I rushed to Minneapolis, rushed to Kris' house, rushed to the hospital, and in a disconcertingly short time I watched little Trinity Ann come into the world, red faced, yelling, black hair stuck to her head, sucking her fist. And capturing my heart totally. I became one of the annoying people called a grandparent! The picture was last February.

2. Another memorable moment was sitting in the cemetary at St. Norbert's Abbey Church, watching the sun set, listening to honking geese as they passed in formation overhead, pondering life and being struck anew with the reality that someday I won't be above ground and I deeply want my time here to count for something eternal. It was not a sad moment. It was an awakening kind of moment.

3. My mom's stroke, on my birthday, during a trip to see "the kids" in Minneapolis. We were far from home, it was scary, and I knew things would change. It has been a difficult time watching her deteriorate, and seeing her become angry, combative, ever more lost in the fog.

4. Sitting in a newly painted and decorated prayer room at church, silently waiting for God, and welcoming the presence of my friends in the faith who sat in candlelight and prepared to pray. I am SO glad this walk of faith is not always a lonely one. Sometimes, but not always.

5. Tasting sushi and finding I liked it!

And the "God moment" was at the Nashotah House chapel while I was at Cedarly Pastor's Retreat in Delavan, Wisconsin. I will never forget sharing liturgy and the eucharist with Episcopalian seminarians, and the sweet sense of God's presence. I stayed in the chapel for a long while after everyone left, while tears fell and I wondered why. I still don't know what was happening. I just know something was. I want to go back there sometime.

That was kind of serious, wasn't it? Well, it has been a mostly serious kind of year. Except for when it wasn't. :-)