IDOD:A Cup of Spirituality

IDOD:A Cup of Spirituality

I must share my last night’s dream with you. My husband Tom and I were sharing a little cabin with our two daughters in the small town of Chama, NM. The girls were younger than they are now, perhaps about the ages of nine and seven. Getting ready for bed, they called out from the back room they were ready to be tucked in for the night. I went in to find them all smiles and quite dressed up, wearing pretty jumpers and beaded headbands. Saying how pretty they looked, I asked if they were sure they wanted to have on what they did to sleep under the covers. They nodded happily, telling me yes, that was right. I silently wished otherwise, but I only smiled back and gave them my kisses goodnight.

No sooner had I returned to the front room than the front door opened. A gentleman, hair to his shoulders, rather balding and a mustache curling around his lips walked in, carrying a set of bongo drums. He had on a brown vest, a white, buttoned downed top with the shirt-sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a bolo tie and jeans. Right behind him came a dark haired, dark eyed fellow carrying a banjo, dressed in similar manner, followed by a third gentleman, holding a guitar. My husband had nodded off, not noticing the commotion, which is actually quite typical; he can sleep through anything. I asked them who they were and what they were doing in our cabin. They said it was Chama’s social night and this was the cabin where everyone met. They walked on to the back room to get the music ready, much to the delight of my daughters, jumping out of bed, since they were most appropriately dressed for the occasion. Though it was odd to have them walk in, it did seem most natural to have them there.

More musicians came, as did the people of the town, all most cordial, saying hello to me as they walked by. I noticed everyone wore a circular button, about 1 ½” in size, pinned on the left of their clothing, near the chest, with four capital letters posted on it, IDOD, written in blue or red, against a white background. Curious, I asked what the word meant. An elderly man, dressed in a western shirt, said, “You know, none of us know. We were asked to wear it all the time, so we do.” More chimed into the conversation saying that was right, that they were always trying to figure out what it meant, but no one had “gotten it yet.” I was not sure who it was that asked them to start wearing the pin, but I threw in my own guess, of saying “Maybe it stands for the ‘International Discovery Of’ something.” They looked at one another, saying, “Yeah, maybe so. But what could be that something?” I was as puzzled as they were, as the subject changed to other topics, such as the arts and crafts tables being set up right there in the front room, with my husband still sleeping away.

Standing to the side, leaning against a waist high built-in counter, I saw a boy, wearing a deep blue with red striped short-sleeved shirt, the IDOD pin, khaki shorts below the knees, high top tennis shoes with the tongues sticking out and the untied shoelaces. I asked him how old he was. As he slung his bangs out of his eyes, he quietly said he was 11. His mother appeared out of nowhere, her in a lime green sleeveless dress and IDOD pin, saying the two of them had been in a car accident that day, for him to show me his ace bandages, on his ankle and elbow, which he did. She was still unnerved by “that other driver,” showing me her bandages, talking away about what he had done as she left the room, her son following her to join the music.

At this point, I was startled awake. For several seconds, I could not figure out where I was, as my dream had been so real. After I grasped my surroundings, I wanted to see if I could go back to see what would happen next in this two room cabin. I got comfortable on my pillows, took a tug at the covers, and said to myself to go inside the door of dreams. At that, I suddenly smiled;IDOD.

~Marie T. Morrison~

AN AUDIENCE OF ONE

Thinking I was meeting with a younger group today, my audience had one man, in his mid-seventies, on oxygen. Not only that, but the meeting took place outside in the heat, with him in his car and me in my wheelchair, sitting in the church parking lot. What a great visit we had, talking and laughing as if there was not a care in the world. Sometimes, those meetings are just meant to be. As we both drove off, smiles on our faces, I said a prayer of thanks. My mournful mood needed that audience of one, he never knowing my frame of mind.
~Marie T. Morrison~

GETTING RID OF THE WEEDS

As hard as we try to get rid of the weeds in the garden, there always seems to be one or two that reappears. It wants to show who is in control. Continue to get rid of them, never letting them take over. As in life, goodness will take over those bad spots. God will be there, always backing you, as right choices are made.
~Marie T. Morrison~

NEVER LEAVES

A new day brings a fresh breath of air from the Spirit. Inhaling it can bring new hope, aromatic pleasures, a strong faith and a desire to welcome God’s love into our hearts. Whether it be whole, shattered or fractured, His love never leaves this soul spark of life.
~Marie T. Morrison~

THE TWO OF US

I began my silent day by turning on the news. What sensationalism was on! In less than ten minutes, I had turned off the chatter, enjoying the sensation of silence instead. This is what touches me more, what personally affects my mind, body and soul. It is how I can get the my thoughts unscrambled, leaving visions of a vast, spiritual, sea, an endless grassland or a majestic mountaintop silhouetted in shades of blue. It turns my reflections to God and prayer, a time for the two of us, becoming at peace.
~Marie T. Morrison~

A DIFFERENT REQUEST TODAY

I am writing a different request today. Close friends lost their 20 year old son Friday night, a suicide, found in his bedroom, sitting on the floor, a cord between his neck and the doornob. There were no warning signs. We feel we know those closest to us, but there is still that one hidden pocket we don't know about. Give extra hugs to those surrounding you today, utter the words, "I love you." Take them out to lunch. Hold their hands. Look into their eyes as they speak and you speak. Admire something important to them even though it may not be important to you.

If you know a family losing someone, sit down and write out a memory to mail off to them, letting them be buried in treasured memories, looking back upon them during the rough road ahead. Pray for those you love. Ask God to let them feel His blessings, as it can be a time to question them, though you and I know He is there to provide comfort and care. Pray they will feel God's peace and His grace as they move from hour to hour and day to day in all of the months ahead. This is a devout family, yet even the most devout can fall apart and ask how come.

For all of this, I thank you, and may God Bless You with his everlasting peace.

~Marie T. Morrison~