December 13, 2020: The joy of Advent at Holy Spirit

"Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from evil of every kind."

Thesselonians 1: 21-22

This is an era of distraction, much of the past year. But that is no reason to fail to appreciate the blessings, gifts and other good things that bring me joy this season.

Fr. Carl's homily this morning helped bring this into focus, primarily because he spoke of not letting the plethora of daily distractions keep me from seeking and finding purpose. And in the spirit of this season of hope, counting my blessings is a great way to remind me of a true sense of purpose, even more important amidst this turbulent year. His consistent theme about finding and creating join rather than letting the world take its toll has been a welcome respite fro the media.

One side note: My doctoral dissertation focused on the great value of goals under conditions of uncertainty. A lesson demonstrated in the research was the importance of a ship being tossed in a stormy sea keeping its eye on the light(house) rather than simply allowing the track of each wave. That is, don't let the storm stop you from following and pursuing your purpose.

So in the middle of this storm I can find solace, serenity and hope in the multiple lights shining in my life. I have a beautiful, hard-working, smart and loving wife and two tremendous, energetic, life-affirming daughters. The energy Jane and Gaby bring to our home is always welcome. All three give me a primary purpose -- loving and supporting them. Or as I've said for months: Pray, provide and protect.

We have a warm and safe home, strong protection against the cold and wind and also a source of comfort. Our neighbors are kind and helpful, sharing yeast for baking bread, clearing snow from our drive, helping me select and bring home a new lawn mower (and securing a great price), replacing alarm batteries in the high ceiling, installing my snow plow, lending a needed ladder, locating our waylaid mail, cutting a board to fit over our sink.

Abe and Jane provide wisdom and perspective. They have seen incredible changes over the last eighty years and it helps to listen to their stories. 'Family first' has been a refrain of the past nine months, a phrase that needed to be reaffirmed and repeated.

Diar, Holly, Sam, Andrew and Kate have provided the energy of youth when Jane and Gaby can not be around. The Green Lake bucket list experience was a welcome extended family moment at the end of a boring summer.

Lorenzi family Zoom crossword sessions -- as often as three times a week -- have provided more real family face time and conversation in the past six months than I have had in the last sixteen years. Seeing and hearing that all the members of my extended family are doing well has been one consistent positive of these times.

Appleton and Wisconsin have been a happy and healthy, safe and secure environment, especially as much of the country and world appears to be spinning out of control, or simply acting crazy. There is something about the people and this place that reminds me of what Eden must have meant to Paige and Ed when they moved the family from Lackawanna. Leaving Baltimore for this new Eden has been a true godsend.

These past nine months have also allowed Dena and me to be more generous than we ever expected we could or would be, trying to help where we can make a real difference while finding joy in sharing rather than in being greedy, resentful, envious, or dispirited. About thirty-five years ago, at a seminar for new associate deans, we heard from a business school development officer that the 'secret' to fundraising was to make the donor happier for having made a meaningful donation than the donor would be had he kept the gift for himself. This is the product of a joy of giving mindset, even more pronounced in this Christmas season. I want to believe that this year, despite their troubles, that many people and families are realizing their own blessings and the value in sharing same.

So joy to the world and we thank God for all the blessing have received, and the joy that sharing them produces. Retirement has not been the end of purpose, even after fifty years of a single career purpose. Rather, this time is for re-purposing, welcoming this new stage of life, recognizing its challenges, and making the most of what we have. Amen.