"And I'm grateful for all the blessings given to the world by whatever gives all the blessings." Oh for more such spiritual humility, curiosity and open-hearted grace!
I was wondering how I missed this and realized you must've put it out on the weekend. I try to spend weekends with my wife because she deserves to have at least a little of my attention. But this resonates with me for so many different reasons. I just wrote a 'Stack about a friend of mine who died. I used to work with him in the mill, which of course just brings on thoughts about what happened there last year...and then so many other friends that have gone their own way. I think that's why I like the Spirituality of this, as if it were a rhythmic cadence echoing through with a soft wind of an eagle soaring. Yeah...I gave up on Organized Religion a long time ago--theological research of the Catholic Church will do that to you--but I never given up on the Mystical, or the Spiritual. The neighbour across the street has recently befriended my wife. An old Indian widow, professed Sikh, who says she believes the world should be an open place for people to believe and worship as they see fit. An educated woman who has invited my wife to her next pooja. I find poojas fascinating, moreso than the wife--and she's the Hindu in this relationship! Sorry, dude, I went off again.
Beautiful. Of course this made me think of my father, dead 5 weeks now. A few weeks back I was walking the dog and it was sunny and clear out and I stopped and gazed up at a big oak tree and I thought of my father and a gust of wind rolled through just then and I smiled and looked up at the sky and I felt Dad. Thanks for the reminder.
The day before you posted this, I had a similar thing happen that seems to form a meaningful coincidence. I've been helping my mom clear out the vast accumulation of stuff my dad left behind when he died two years ago--including an extensive woodworking set-up that occupied a two-and-a-half-car garage. After selling or giving away all of my dad's major woodworking equipment, and spending many hours cleaning up the space, my mom and I both started parking our cars there. While I was in Scotland for a couple of weeks (where I left some of his ashes, as he would've wanted) I left my car parked there. Upon my return (the day before you posted this) I went to get in my car to run an errand and found a piece of veneer fallen off a high shelf and leaning against my car. There was no causal explanation for why that piece of veneer would've fallen off the shelf, but there it was. I took it to be a message from the ghost of my father (with whom I've had many an ongoing conversation during this process). The message I heard from that piece of wood was: I'm watching you and I love you. And then when I read your poem it seemed to me that your dad and mine might be in cahoots.
Life is more than ordinary coincidences. I know that for whatever reason I remind whomever I am conferring with on something that they forgot to do. Call it spiritual intuition or just a bit inane superstition. I wish I could be a proper relationship with someone I love and respect. Sometimes the elements align and there is a crack of happiness within the gloom. I need to have a productive week. Thanks Sherman Alexie for this thoughtful gift of a poem.
It’s a gift to be aware of the blessings around us that others don’t sense. My mother in Oklahoma would turn around and apologize to a pebble when she accidentally stepped on it. She wasn’t Comanche but she was Hispanic...maybe I should say Aztec, ha!
Thank you—this is very stimulating. And, in this line, the word 'mostly' is just perfect: "But I'm mostly comfortable with all the mysteries." I can certainly relate to being 'mostly' comfortable.
As satisfying as a good meal!
When I was a young Christian, I would share/evangelize as opportunity and courage permitted.
As a young adult, my questions became agnosticism for several years. . .and strangers would chide/evangelize me!
Ever heard the term, 'hound of heaven?' Could you argue that. . .I dunno!
I am glad for your pen! Thank you for writing you.
"And I'm grateful for all the blessings given to the world by whatever gives all the blessings." Oh for more such spiritual humility, curiosity and open-hearted grace!
Love how the title's 'this Sunday' sets readers up in the very present...It is not last week's Sunday!
Thanks!
I was wondering how I missed this and realized you must've put it out on the weekend. I try to spend weekends with my wife because she deserves to have at least a little of my attention. But this resonates with me for so many different reasons. I just wrote a 'Stack about a friend of mine who died. I used to work with him in the mill, which of course just brings on thoughts about what happened there last year...and then so many other friends that have gone their own way. I think that's why I like the Spirituality of this, as if it were a rhythmic cadence echoing through with a soft wind of an eagle soaring. Yeah...I gave up on Organized Religion a long time ago--theological research of the Catholic Church will do that to you--but I never given up on the Mystical, or the Spiritual. The neighbour across the street has recently befriended my wife. An old Indian widow, professed Sikh, who says she believes the world should be an open place for people to believe and worship as they see fit. An educated woman who has invited my wife to her next pooja. I find poojas fascinating, moreso than the wife--and she's the Hindu in this relationship! Sorry, dude, I went off again.
Beautiful. Of course this made me think of my father, dead 5 weeks now. A few weeks back I was walking the dog and it was sunny and clear out and I stopped and gazed up at a big oak tree and I thought of my father and a gust of wind rolled through just then and I smiled and looked up at the sky and I felt Dad. Thanks for the reminder.
Michael Mohr
‘Sincere American Writing’
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
The day before you posted this, I had a similar thing happen that seems to form a meaningful coincidence. I've been helping my mom clear out the vast accumulation of stuff my dad left behind when he died two years ago--including an extensive woodworking set-up that occupied a two-and-a-half-car garage. After selling or giving away all of my dad's major woodworking equipment, and spending many hours cleaning up the space, my mom and I both started parking our cars there. While I was in Scotland for a couple of weeks (where I left some of his ashes, as he would've wanted) I left my car parked there. Upon my return (the day before you posted this) I went to get in my car to run an errand and found a piece of veneer fallen off a high shelf and leaning against my car. There was no causal explanation for why that piece of veneer would've fallen off the shelf, but there it was. I took it to be a message from the ghost of my father (with whom I've had many an ongoing conversation during this process). The message I heard from that piece of wood was: I'm watching you and I love you. And then when I read your poem it seemed to me that your dad and mine might be in cahoots.
Sorry for your loss, man. Lost mine June 2nd. ❤️
Thank you -- condolences to you too.
A nice surprise. And does it matter what one believes if you're mostly comfortable with life's mysteries?
Great write, I just love reading your work. Brings me so much joy and a sense of calm reflection on the world. Thank you.
Amen 🙏
My life seems riddled with small, insignificant coincidences. If only I could monetize them -- they'd go away.
Ha!! Right! Well said.
Sherman, I think someone is using your substack to scam. I got a comment to text to a telegram account in your name.
When they replied that I'd won prizes I was like "oh noooooo"
Assuming you are not giving away prizes and don't have a telegram account?
Was it an email or just here in the comments?
It was in the comments
I deleted and blocked them.
The only communication from me in here will have my photo and the orange check.
Thanks Sherman. I'm embarrassed to admit that is the closest I've come to being "hooked."
So you know...the telegram account uses the same picture as your substack account.
Not being a writer I am honored at you sharing what is in your writer's head...there are no coincidences. Thank you.
👌👍🙏
Openness to wonder is such a gift. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Amen and amen.
Life is more than ordinary coincidences. I know that for whatever reason I remind whomever I am conferring with on something that they forgot to do. Call it spiritual intuition or just a bit inane superstition. I wish I could be a proper relationship with someone I love and respect. Sometimes the elements align and there is a crack of happiness within the gloom. I need to have a productive week. Thanks Sherman Alexie for this thoughtful gift of a poem.
It’s a gift to be aware of the blessings around us that others don’t sense. My mother in Oklahoma would turn around and apologize to a pebble when she accidentally stepped on it. She wasn’t Comanche but she was Hispanic...maybe I should say Aztec, ha!
Hahahahaha! That sounds kinda Buddhist!
Thank you—this is very stimulating. And, in this line, the word 'mostly' is just perfect: "But I'm mostly comfortable with all the mysteries." I can certainly relate to being 'mostly' comfortable.
👍👍
Thank you, Charles, and I'm so happy you noticed the use of "mostly."