There is no theme to this post, at least as I begin. But the More clan has just returned from the annual pilgrimage to Lake Tahoe to spend the week with the in-laws. Mrs. More and I had a couple evenings alone on the river, fly fishing for rainbow trout. Happily, we each caught the biggest fish of our short fly-fishing careers. It was quite fun, and very peaceful--except for the fish.
We also took two boats white-water rafthing (very mild white water, but fun nonetheless) with the mini-Mores and their grandparents and cousins. That, along with a few trips to the pool, lake, and golf course, and the evening bbq's, and it was a relaxing, fun time.
Unfortunately, I found myself caught up much of the time with my mind elsewhere. The week before last I found out that a very close friend, and one of my most important mentors, has liver cancer. It is so advanced that he cannot get on a transplant list yet. So we are praying that his upcoming radiation treatment will reduce the tumor's size, and he can get the transplant. It is a tough time for his family and friends, but he seems to be responding with good cheer.
It was a strange juxtaposition of having a wonderful vacation in the mountains, filled with family and fun activities, and yet having the thought of my friend's cancer filling my mind. Plus, this news comes on the heels of Didymus's loss. Young Emily, the 5-year-old wonder, passed away in mid June. Mrs. More and I were blessed to be able to fly out for the funeral and be with Didymus and his family. The logistics, remarkably, worked out perfectly, as we had little notice, and I had a number of prior work commitments. We made a 24-hour dash (getting in at 4 a.m. and getting home the next morning at 2 a.m.) and everything worked out.
I don't know why being there in person takes on such meaning--but it does. St. Beth drove hours, and worked a little babysitting magic of her own, to be there as well. As Mrs. More and I sped out of town after the service to try and make the flight home--a near miss, clearing security 9 minutes before take off, and sprinting the entire length of the airport, pushing a baby stroller with us--I mentioned how it was good we made it to the service. It just "felt right" to be there with our old friends at that time. Again, I don't know why being there is so much more meaningful than the card or call--but it is.
In addition to the life-and-death issues I've been staring at this summer, I also started my own firm. That has been, when I'm there, more exhilarating than I expected. I looked forward only to the anxiety of not knowing if I'd make enough money to support the family. While I haven't been paid yet--and 'zero dollars' is clearly less than we need to make it!--there is a charge, a rebirth, I've enjoyed in going out on my own (O.K., with a partner.)
I'd probably be more wrapped up in the new-company anxiety if my mind wasn't turning to friends with cancer and friends losing children. Those types of lows put my silly fears in perspective. An elder at my church once reminded me that no one lies on their deathbed wishing they had spent more time in the office. While work is important, it is not everything.
Closer to what is everything is the work Theresa Olive and her husband are doing in the mission field. Dangerous stuff, self-sacrificing stuff, eternal stuff. Today they visited the church as part of their summer-U.S. trip. We got to catch up and hear how things are going with the real battle. They are really an inspiration, and being with them, as with being with Didymus or any friend, has a meaning. Being together, whether during the highs or the lows, matters.
As you might know, the All These Things bloggers are scattered all over the country, and world. Through an unusual series of events, I've had the chance to see all but one since April of this year. (The lone hold out is heading to Thailand, and I hope to hear about that soon!) Being together with this group--who don't even all know each other, by the way--in such a short span of time hasn't happened before, and probably won't again.
I am thankful for such good friends, and hope we can be together more--especially during the high times. It seems that life's taken a few more serious turns this summer, but I've found that God offers a peace through these storms. His grace, it seems, often flows through old friends.
I hoped, when pulling thie group together, that there was going to be a lot of life lived, from different places, viewpoints, and jobs. When you imagine such things, you think of them in terms of the highs. I do think, however, that there are bonds formed and meaning found in the lows that are even more meaningful than the highs. But the main thing is just being together. I guess that's the theme.
Be There,
Thomas More
Thomas,
Just a note to thank you for all you've done to bring so many of us together on this blog. Though we all may not know each other in person, we are certainly getting to know one another through the blogs and responses. We appreciate your original plan and execution to make it happen. It's a crazy world out there, and for all of us to stick together and support one another is a beautiful thing.
Best,
Lu
Posted by: Lucy | July 23, 2007 at 06:56 PM
Lucy,
Thank you. It has been a labor of love!
I look forward to hearing from everyone over the years to come.
Thomas
Posted by: Thomas More | July 24, 2007 at 10:04 AM