Hi Phriends,

Yesterday was --well a perfect day. I had it off from work-- we get a paid day off for our birthday(and meetings on the day itself couldn't be changed.) In the early morning I went to a beautiful park on the Sound, just a bit south of the city.

I don't know if you've ever been to the Seattle area but if you haven't, please come at least once. Northwest Washington is extravagantly blessed with natural beauty.

The sun broke through the clouds early. There were a few other humans and some canines out walking. I saw a mud otter, blue herons, a variety of gulls and terns, and a wondrous Bald eagle glided by. In the distance the ferries glittered against the sky and water. The scent and symphony of life was...beyond words. (If heaven is better---WOW) and I felt sharply--bitterly--how much I will miss this-- the beauty and the freedom.)

Mother Mary Anne once told me that we can only give to God what we have. (And I do know that all we "have" comes from Him and is found in Him.) This is what I have to give.

And so I added a few tears to the water (which has no need of them) and in gratitude prayed Lauds.

How wonderfully wise, the choice of psalsms and canticles are.

The evening celebration of St. Dominic was good and I prayed for our friends in Lousiana and on pilgrimage in England. I also prayed for all of us on this journey of faith.(I did ok reading the petitions. A certain "odious pastor" was grinning at me but never mind.)

Thanks for sharing the way with me.

love and prayers,

Dare