John 11:35

Late last year, after a couple of minutes of discussion a person told me that he didn't consider homosexuals to be his neighbor. 

And Jesus wept.  

"In Reverie"

A couple months ago Frankie looked at Daniel and said "You haven't met the baby yet!"

We were kids when we started this thing. 

Bright eyed and gritty. Even 5 years later I am still taken by the continual evidence of appending adulthood. That we are now the mentors, the teachers, and the fathers. 

Soundtrack 2012

In some ways this felt like a long year. I think about where I was New Years of 2012, celebrating with friends in upstate New York, laughing, eating, celebrating.... but even those seemingly fresh memories have been chipped away by time, losing its color tint, becoming another faded memory.

In other ways its felt like a short year. Changes, road trips, sadness and rejoicing happen so fast sometimes its hard to make it a memory. Rapid moments recall like bursts of light, flashing by as if I'm in a speeding vehicle.

I wake up in a house I own, with my lovely wife and fluffy dog. Most days I begrudgingly put on pants and head to work. Then there are days when I take my time, I find myself in awe. At the random moments and the cosmically planned ones, to which have led me here. Each joyful moment with Sara, each friendly smiles from people I love, each quality meal, each expression of gratitude, each moment, each year....

1. Sufjan Stevens - Sister
2. Sufjan Stevens - Casmir Pulaski Day
3. Kooley High - Dear Raleigh
4. Rosie Thomas - Much Farther To Go
5. Sucre - Hiding Out
6. Rosie Thomas & Sufjan Stevens - Where Are You?
7. Delta Rae - Morning Comes
8. The Welcome Wagon - God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again
9. Right Away, Great Captain - I Am Aware
10. Band of Horses - The Funeral
11. Adele - Chasing Pavements
12. Fort Atlantic - Let Your Heart Hold Fast 
13. Sufjan Stevens - Vito's Ordination Song

"Sister"

What the water wants is hurricanes......




Whenever I listen to that line I'm taken back. When I think of a hurricane I think of a powerful source of devastation and destruction. I never could imagine it being desired by anyone or anything.

I guess within the line it reminds that my perspective is just one small idea in the scope of 7 billion people.

"Casimir Pulaski Day"

Just a four days ago Sara threw a baby shower for a parishioner of a non-profit we support.

They laughed, they played games, they rejoiced, they smiled.

Two days ago the parishioner lost her baby.

We cried. We mourn. We pray.

I don't pretend to fully understand the theological implications of death or bad things happening to good people.

But I do understand the need for comfort. For strength. For healing. For mercy. For grace.

2011 soundtrack

1. The Vespers - "Will You Love Me?"



2. David Crowder Band - "The Transfiguration"



3. Manchester Orchestra - "Simple Math"



4. Saves the Day - "Undress Me"



5. Civil Wars - "I've Got This Friend"



6. Martha Ann Motel - "Where Are You Now?"

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]


7. Ingrid Michael - "You and I"



8. The Beatles - "All You Need is Love"

9. Edward Sharp and The Magnetic Zeros - "Home"



10. Gray Young - "Unbound"

"Home"

When I was ten, I moved away from the only home I ever knew. Ever since, I was in a constant search of "home." The place where the walls held my memories. Where I was welcomed. Where I belonged. I'd be increasingly jealous of my friends that could go back to their childhood's home. That they could come back to a foundation, to something that felt never changing. For so long, I felt like a nomad. Wandering through baron plains, just making camp to leave again.  New places, new beds, staring at new awkward ceilings. Each year I'd find myself more cynical of the idea a home. Assuming it was just  youthful idealism with no merit or purpose. Living in a world of temporary, with interchangeable parts, why would anyone need attachments?

But then I found home. I found that I could belong. I found that I could be welcomed. Not in a house, or location. Not in a city of a state. But in Sara. In our marriage, our friendship, our romance, our life together.

Home. is where ever I'm with you.