Wrinkles of the Soul

“I went along to iron out the wrinkles in my soul”.  So said Omond Solandt on completing a canoe trip on the Churchill River to Hudson Bay some years back.

Words about wrinkles in the soul fit with what most people feel while moving along on the journey of a lifetime. The question comes to us:  Why have we survived the rough waters of the turbulent currents of a lifetime? Could it be that it is taking time to iron out the wrinkles in our souls.

Goodness knows that it takes time to become aware of those wrinkles and imperfections that make up our individual lives. There is the anguish of getting ironed by the pressures and heat of the process between birth and death tests of mind and body.

Recall those moments when so much was at stake?  "What am I doing here?" Insecurity dominates all thoughts for sometimes. Then comes a whisper from deep inside:   “For this I was born”.  

Omond and canoeing companions survived rock filled rapids. Miles of paddling on huge lakes with wind driven waves facing their canoes demanding persistent strong paddling. Their wrinkled personal identities were being put to the test.  The ironing involved pain and loyalty to  companions.

Evening sunset campsites with glowing horizons,  campfires and simple meals, full voiced singing – souls were soothed and dreams were painted in quiet rest.

My life is a trip to iron the wrinkles out of my soul. You, too? 

Try this mental image as a help on the way. Take responsibility for the condition of your soul.

The story of Omond and companions is told by Sigurd Olson in  “The Lonely Land”. 1961

by Delton Krueger 9-1-17

Great Art in Places of Worship

Choose to see Great Art in Places of Worship

Stained Glass ?   Religious Paintings ?  Sculptures? They have their place. Not all churches can have this kind of Art.

I see Artistic classics in the faces of the congregation. 

As a former pastor of rural and urban congregations the faces are what come back to my mind.  There they are – a panorama of real people.

The details of infancy, childhood, youth, young adults, mid age persons, older adults, the very old appear in those faces. Black, Brown, White, Yellow.

The Creator was and is the Artist

Learning to see a group of people as an artistic creation in motion, constantly changing, emotional, happy, grim faced, exhausted from work and worry, frightened by illness, serenely happy and contented.  Thinking of a picture of the people is and art itself taking discipline and practice.

Church worship as an art gallery is a matter of perspective. A habit of choosing to exalt people who are a composite of stories and dramas. 

Do not worry about God in this approach.

The Creator infuses every sacred gathering.

SENIOR LIVING OPTIONS

 

The is written to help fellow seniors to know about what will be coming. These issues will come to most of us unless death intrudes.

1 Stay in one’s own home. Stairways and property care demand attention.  Contract for services like cleaning and yard work.

2. Move to Independent Living in a retirement community where a single floor helps and most indoor and outdoor chores are usually provided. Rent will be necessary. Costs will vary. Many hospitals will have clinics with Care Coordinators and services intended to enable staying home at considerable cost savings compared to next options.

3. Assisted Living in a Retirement Community. There will be significant limitations to mobility and privacy.

4. Nursing Homes. High costs. Variable quality of life provision.

5. Memory Care Facility.  Quality varies significantly. Very High costs.

6. It helps to have an Elder Care Attorney and Financial Planner early in the process. 

Delton in my 89th year.   8-8-17   dkrueger@visi.com