Pastor Bob Hoffman, retired Florida-Bahamas Synod ELCA
We had been doctoring for Colleen’s multiple symptoms — mental, motor, physical, worrisome — a combination of unsteady gait, a “foggy” feeling, twitches in her fingers especially in the morning, an unsettling meeting with her therapist rehearsing her symptoms and some of the many drugs she takes every day. All this came to focus with ready your post.
This stress for me made me think of my experience the days after hurricane Ian, especially after reading your experience of viewing the night sky on the outer banks. The first days after our displacement to Naples (our pastor encouraged us to stay with him during the storm) we were all out of power. Those first mornings after the storm’s passing the light pollution of of the sky had disappeared. I am an early riser and went out to sit outside and take part in my usual devotions for the days. I looked up. “My God, your sky…” Stars, planets, so visible, and so much a gift. Your piece is like a sight of the sky for me and for Colleen as we face her health challenges for the next days.
I am reminded of Mr. Roger’s who famously said in the midst of a crisis “look for the helpers.” Climate change is so big that I can get swept up in the hopelessness. But there are people and groups of people trying desperately to make things better. I want to be one of them, so I do my little part that I can. Thank you for the reminder to look to the stars.
Do you really believe voting for the next democratic nominee for president will protect the climate? How many drilling leases have been issued by the current administration?
Thank you so much for this writing. I have communicated often with a friend about climate change. You have put the ugliness beside beauty. I anxiously await what our God will do.
What a touching and thought provoking column! I loved the way you ended up with awe and also to remember the jellyfish. All part of God’s creation. Thank you!
Oh, Diana, you give me hope in the midst of our vast miscellany of climate, social, and political stresses, disappointments, and fading hope. Just this morning, I was feeling that nothing is right, nothing will ever be right again. Yet, you are so on target: God is in this with us, and no matter how thoroughly we screw up the planet, God will hold us in the palm of His hand. Thank you for your lovely (as always) post.
Hello to my highway 12 friend!I, too, loe the Outer Banks of NC. I've been there every year since 1979, sometimes more than once. We in southeasten VA think we've annexed currituck and Dare counties. I've watched the development and have been saddened by it. Even Hatteras island is becoming too strained I think. Many are concerned and worried about the warming planet , especially there. Sadly, the economic and political forces in NC seem desirous of what they can get from OBX. Not what that environment gives them or helps them see. For me it's soul cleansing and spiritually refreshing. Our 6 young adult children and partners feel the same awe and presences of God that I do. Just nut in the same way. But they give me hope for our future. For each other and the planet.
You write what I experienced often being along the coast.. whether out in the boat with my husband at the time.. in the bay at Long Beach Island, New Jersey.. or off in the ocean, sitting by the waters edge in the pavilions.. lovingly rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy. We also for many years visited the Outer Banks, staying in Nags Head.. traveling up and down those islands.. him fishing in various places.. I could see and feel the changes in the water.. see all the jelly fish..feel the paradox.. the wonder at the ocean and the coast.. the changes in the air.. the smell.. the color of the sand.. I had no words for it all.. but yes, Awe is perfect and that sadness.. so at odds with my joy at being there.. sharing those precious moments with my husband.. Awe and Wonder.. looking up at the stars at night.. but concern and that sadness.. now .. I know.. Thank you..Thankful to those who care, notice and can do...❤️
Thank you so much. I rent an apartment on the second floor of a duplex on a barrier island off New Jersey. Because of age related problems I can no longer go over our high dunes to the ocean, but I have an unobstructed view of the bay from the picture window in my kitchen so I’m very blessed. However our island has become overbuilt and light pollution has made it impossible to see the stars. Even late at night street lights are very bright and new next door neighbors’ high intensity all night outdoor lights make seeing stars from my house or my deck a thing of the past. Oh, how I miss them…
this was beautifully written
Beautifully written-- thank you for these morsels of hope. It's been a dark summer. May our lanterns, and those untarnishable stars, burn bright.
Pastor Bob Hoffman, retired Florida-Bahamas Synod ELCA
We had been doctoring for Colleen’s multiple symptoms — mental, motor, physical, worrisome — a combination of unsteady gait, a “foggy” feeling, twitches in her fingers especially in the morning, an unsettling meeting with her therapist rehearsing her symptoms and some of the many drugs she takes every day. All this came to focus with ready your post.
This stress for me made me think of my experience the days after hurricane Ian, especially after reading your experience of viewing the night sky on the outer banks. The first days after our displacement to Naples (our pastor encouraged us to stay with him during the storm) we were all out of power. Those first mornings after the storm’s passing the light pollution of of the sky had disappeared. I am an early riser and went out to sit outside and take part in my usual devotions for the days. I looked up. “My God, your sky…” Stars, planets, so visible, and so much a gift. Your piece is like a sight of the sky for me and for Colleen as we face her health challenges for the next days.
God is blessed in your sharing.
I am reminded of Mr. Roger’s who famously said in the midst of a crisis “look for the helpers.” Climate change is so big that I can get swept up in the hopelessness. But there are people and groups of people trying desperately to make things better. I want to be one of them, so I do my little part that I can. Thank you for the reminder to look to the stars.
Do you really believe voting for the next democratic nominee for president will protect the climate? How many drilling leases have been issued by the current administration?
Thank you so much for this writing. I have communicated often with a friend about climate change. You have put the ugliness beside beauty. I anxiously await what our God will do.
Diana,
What a touching and thought provoking column! I loved the way you ended up with awe and also to remember the jellyfish. All part of God’s creation. Thank you!
Diana, this is not the first time you've caused me to catch my breath. Powerful, beautiful, motivating column. THank you!
Thanks, Diana, you just made my day.
Oh, Diana, you give me hope in the midst of our vast miscellany of climate, social, and political stresses, disappointments, and fading hope. Just this morning, I was feeling that nothing is right, nothing will ever be right again. Yet, you are so on target: God is in this with us, and no matter how thoroughly we screw up the planet, God will hold us in the palm of His hand. Thank you for your lovely (as always) post.
Leota Coats
Hello to my highway 12 friend!I, too, loe the Outer Banks of NC. I've been there every year since 1979, sometimes more than once. We in southeasten VA think we've annexed currituck and Dare counties. I've watched the development and have been saddened by it. Even Hatteras island is becoming too strained I think. Many are concerned and worried about the warming planet , especially there. Sadly, the economic and political forces in NC seem desirous of what they can get from OBX. Not what that environment gives them or helps them see. For me it's soul cleansing and spiritually refreshing. Our 6 young adult children and partners feel the same awe and presences of God that I do. Just nut in the same way. But they give me hope for our future. For each other and the planet.
Rev Derek Koolman
You write what I experienced often being along the coast.. whether out in the boat with my husband at the time.. in the bay at Long Beach Island, New Jersey.. or off in the ocean, sitting by the waters edge in the pavilions.. lovingly rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy. We also for many years visited the Outer Banks, staying in Nags Head.. traveling up and down those islands.. him fishing in various places.. I could see and feel the changes in the water.. see all the jelly fish..feel the paradox.. the wonder at the ocean and the coast.. the changes in the air.. the smell.. the color of the sand.. I had no words for it all.. but yes, Awe is perfect and that sadness.. so at odds with my joy at being there.. sharing those precious moments with my husband.. Awe and Wonder.. looking up at the stars at night.. but concern and that sadness.. now .. I know.. Thank you..Thankful to those who care, notice and can do...❤️
This resonates with the book I'm reading, Brian Greene's Untill the End of Time. I am mesmerized.
Thank you.. will check out...
Thank you so much. I rent an apartment on the second floor of a duplex on a barrier island off New Jersey. Because of age related problems I can no longer go over our high dunes to the ocean, but I have an unobstructed view of the bay from the picture window in my kitchen so I’m very blessed. However our island has become overbuilt and light pollution has made it impossible to see the stars. Even late at night street lights are very bright and new next door neighbors’ high intensity all night outdoor lights make seeing stars from my house or my deck a thing of the past. Oh, how I miss them…
Thank you.. yes, happening so many places.. need to find a balance between safety and seeing the value and beauty of our night sky..
Oh, thank you!
Marvelous! Posted on my FB page. Sadly beautiful. Thank you, again.