Advent

I’m at Narita airport only six hours before my flight. Perhaps I’ll make it. It’s always iffy.

This is a moment, with time, and Advent floats through all the memories of life in this season of quiet, stillness, and expectation.

I’m longing for the quiet and stillness that can only come from within me. It is the work of my soul to find these treasures when I lose or forget them. They are real. I can find them. That will be my souls work this Advent season.

I’m listening to a lovely Christmas song. It is Sara Bareilles, “Love is Christmas.” I may be pursuing a path to Buddhism, but I won’t give up this season and the songs I love to hear, over and over again.

Last year at this time, after Carol had been gone for little more than a year, I was walking through a park in Seattle and the thought came to me – Advent is coming! With that I started to cry. It was such a surprise, coming from inside without any other provocation.

We both loved this season – the darkness, the cold, the candles of the Advent wreath.

I’m tired and am at Narita waiting for my flight home. A few days ago, a thought came to me – Advent is coming! It made me happy to think that, after this Japan adventure, I will be home for the season. I can turn on my playlist and it will help me to find the quiet and stillness my soul is searching for.

I will have an Advent wreath and light candles and incense each night. I will play my songs over and over again.

The last few years have brought me great sadness, great change, and now a great adventure. With its ending, I feel there is something coming, but I do not know what. Probably nothing dramatic. I have no big plans. Whatever it is, I wish to be prepared. This is Advent – waiting, watching in silence and stillness, with expectation. My souls work has begun.