Amazing Race

Ok, I have applied for Amazing Race...AGAIN!  This is the fourth time.  I didn't really intend to apply, though.  This is how it happened.  On Tuesday, Denise was in the teacher's room sharing stories of her fun trip that she just came back from...10 days in Hawaii.  She went ziplining and tubing and everything you can do in Hawaii.  And I have known Denise for 16 years and she is CRAZY!  So I said, Denise, I want to go on Amazing Race with you.  Then I forgot I even said that.  Now the thing is, Denise's husband just died after a motorcycle accident (she was on the back...I told you she is crazy...) so she needs distractions and she went home and looked up the application for Amazing Race.  Guess what?  WEDNESDAY was the deadline to apply. She came to school on Wednesday and said, Jen, I have the application all filled out, you just need to come to my room at recess to film the video.  The next thing I know we are sitting there doing a video (which wouldn't upload).  Later she came over and we did the video again and uploaded it, and now we are waiting.  We kind of played up the grieving aspect...maybe it will work.  I am a l i t t l e nervous about not being able to physically do the Race.  I don't expect to ever hear from the show.  Having been through this a few times before...

Beannacht by John O'Donohue

Thank you, Sheila, you didn't know when you handed me this beautiful blessing how fragile I was feeling and how much it would help my heart.  Here it is for anyone else who might need a blessing...

                                                                         Beannacht

("Blessing")

 

On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.

 

And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets in to you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green,
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.

 

When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.

 

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.

 

~ John O'Donohue ~