THE GRACE OF THE SNOW

So I wrote this personally as a private reflection a few weeks ago, and honestly I have been going through a purification for about 2 months. In my community, we would call this specific type of purification "contrariety" which maybe I will explain at a later date.   The pictures I took on a snow day about 2 weeks ago. Here is the reflection . . .

"This winter has been filled with an intense cold, and lots of snow.  For about a week, I have been feeling heavily stressed and upset with the cold and snow.   It has been quite difficult getting up in the morning and getting Christian to school through this weather, and then running to morning mass, and from there on to my first job at the school.(Then from there on to the second job, teaching music)  I have worked hard not to complain, and to simply offer these small struggles as a sacrificial offering to unite with The Passion for my family, friends, students and co-workers, ad well as various current events that I have kept in my heart.  But this morning I couldn't take it anymore!  I had it!

When the mayor said that schools would be open for the day, I was tight!  My lack of sleep, along with the cravings and desires for more time to work on these art and community projects had me pretty disgruntled leaving the house this morning.

The Catholic schools were closed so I had to drop Christian off at his mother's house, and I did this walk with an almost deafening silence from my frustration within.  Slipping and sliding across the icy ground while being dripping wet I prayed the famous "God, why me?" . . . Thankfully, Christian had his Spider-Man umbrella so he was sheltered from the rain although I was not.

After this I jumped on the train to the bus in my usual fashion.  While waiting for the bus I stepped under a store awning to shelter myself from the rain and it was at this moment it hit me. . . . "Shouldn't I rejoice in the rain?  Is the water falling from above not a symbol of the grace of the spirit?"  With this I stepped back into the rain, and almost immediately the bus pulled up.  I had realized how symbolic the cold slippery ice and mountains of snow covering these Bronx streets were.  It was but a reflection of the places where my heart was becoming cold.  The ground needs water to replenish the green life that is to grow from it, but we as a people have covered these grounds with a solid rock concrete.  This man made stone for our own convenience also prevents natural life.

As I stepped on the bus, my heart was moved to repentance. May the spirit continue to pour down with grace and may the ice melt away and the stone broken so that love may manifest itself to life in our hearts."

This past weekend, another revelation came and this reflection was furthered . . . STAY TOONED.

- The Symbol
- All is Love