The Chase Continues…
When we look at our lives through the lens of gratitude,
our blessings gain in stature and depth;
they rise to the top and prompt us to consider new meaning in our lives.
-The Miracle Collectors
Thanksgiving is here and with it comes the opportunity to take a moment to look around, to assess what is good in our lives and as the next month goes on to think about what we have learned or what we might want to do differently in the coming year. But for now, gratefulness is enough for us to reflect on and savor. Joan looks back on our 25 years of miracle chasing (!) and how grateful we are for the gift of story shared by so many, and how this journey has enriched our lives.
Collecting Miracle Moments One Story at a Time.
Joan and Katie
It was 25 years ago that three suburban women came together and somehow decided to venture outside their comfort zones in banking, psychology, and health care to set off on what would become a quest to understand miracles. We couldn't fathom how we had experienced Divine intervention in our lives while it appeared that others did not. We needed to know why; and initially we thought a quick review of miracles in history, philosophy, religion, culture and science should be easy. What we found, however, was something far different. The subject was more profound, more complicated, and as it turned out had broad implications for our individual lives. The journey changed us. We became more open-minded, more forgiving, more thankful, and more spiritually revitalized in ways we never would have predicted.
With Thanksgiving only days away and with the realization that November has special significance, as today is the birthday of both our our miracle children, Elizabeth and David, it seems appropriate to take a moment to think about the gifts we have been given along this path. The first, and perhaps most fundamental, is the gift of life itself, something we came to realize was fragile and could easily be taken away without notice. It's how we began this journey, with the series of coincidences that conspired to save David's life; the recognition that Elizabeth, though blinded by the babysitter, would find a way to a satisfying life; and escape from Ted Bundy meant an opportunity to live life to the fullest.
We've come to appreciate that we are no more special than anyone else and understand that miracles surround all of us if we but look for them. We often talk now of becoming aware as an intrinsic part of our lives. It starts with feet on the floor in the morning, facing each new day with whatever grace we can muster and looking for beauty wherever we can find it, whether it is in a flower, a beam of sunlight, or the simple smile of connection. While the rabbit hole of social media can make us crazy, there are also amusing memes, videos, or stories to bring a smile. (My feed seems to know I'm addicted to the pommel horse guy and his transformation to a bona fide dancing machine. And yes, I smile.)
By becoming more aware of others and considering their experiences, we have been able to deepen connections with each other. Seeking and celebrating our commonalities may be the key to survival in our divided and confused world. Listening and remembering that actions speak louder than words is what allowed me to overcome my natural reticence to help out the woman in front of me in the grocery line last week. She had forgotten her wallet and I offered to add her order to mine. With her eventual acceptance and heartfelt promise to pay it forward, she too realized our connectedness with each other.
Being kind is where we can find meaning. As the bible says in Romans 8, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another," or as MLK wrote, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." Meaning is found in trying to do our best, to help our neighbor, to share our gifts even when it might be easier to turn away. It's what we call miracle courage and it's a way to actually be the miracle for someone else.
No, we didn't set out to be miracle workers, but every now and then it is good to give God an assist. As we have often said, we started out Chasing Miracles, but the reality is that miracles continue to chase us...and for that I will be eternally grateful. (Joan)