Monday Morning Musing: A Penny for Your Thoughts

Just when I think it can't get any stranger, my phone will ping with breaking news. Last night, that news was that the current President/administration had announced that the United States Treasury will stop minting pennies. It's a money saving measure, they say. Okay, but how does that work when it costs $8.63 to buy a dozen eggs?

Color me cranky, but I don't know whether to be glad that the demise of the one cent coin is "all" he's up to at this moment or whether I should hold my breath until the next headline. It won't be long.

And what will my grandchildren think when they are older and I offer a penny for their thoughts? What's a penny, Oma?

Here are the other things on my mind as we begin this new week.

It's the week of Valentine's Day and it's long been a pastoral practice that I send Valentines in the mail to parishioners who have lost their spouse or partner in the last year. I don't know whether I'll get to that this year and that makes me sad. I'm trying very hard to find a better balance in my vocation and in my personal life. If you are the praying type, would you pray that our congregation has the opportunity to call an Associate pastor soon?

We've had a lot of death at Gloria Dei of late. I don't think about how much of an empath I am until I walk through seasons like this.

But hey, how about that Super Bowl? We were cheering for the Eagles at our house because they have so many Crimson Tide players on their team. And because they just have a lot of heart. And I thought the halftime show was pretty spectacular, too. We made chili dogs at our house as a throw back to the many, many, many days I've spent working in the concession stands at the kid's school and sporting events.

Our Lenten roses have bloomed and I said to my Beloved that they must be confused by the late arrival of Lent this year. Personally, I'm delighted by this longer spell of Ordinary Time after Epiphany. I think we could all use a little more ordinary and a little less....chaos.

It's Black History Month, I don't care what "they" say or how hard "they" try to scrub it from our collective awareness. What a tragedy it will be if we no longer have the chance to hear the stories that have woven the fabric of the lives and communities of our black siblings. What a tragedy to "not see color"! We ought to see it and celebrate the beauty that is in our diversity.

Here's a really fun, lively poem by the black poet Nikki Giovanni, called "And I Have You." Dear Ones, I'm so glad we have each other. Let's celebrate love in all of its forms as often as we can. It's the only way forward.

And I Have You

Rain has drops

Sun has shine

Moon has beams

That make you mine

Rivers have banks

Sands for shores

Hearts have heartbeats

That make me yours

Needles have eyes

Though pins may prick

Elmer has glue

To make things stick

Winter has Spring

Stockings feet

Pepper has mint

To make it sweet

Teachers have lessons

Soup du jour

Lawyers sue bad folks

Doctors cure

All and all

This much is true

You have me

And I have you

floating pink and white hearts