Graveside, among other things...

reflections of a life well-lived...

So, in the middle of Passover cleaning, cooking and making sure that no one in our congregation 'falls through the cracks', our dear Marjorie has passed away quietly in her sleep. She led a full, believing life, and was ready to go...but it's still hard for those left behind, most markedly her unmarried daughter who lived with her Mother. The graveside service is today, and I am praising HaShem for the glorious, sunny spring weather and a life well-lived.

An interesting time this is, to be sure. So much on my mind, but yet so difficult to put anything down in writing. Passover week is the busiest week of the year for those of us that celebrate the festivals of Torah. Cleaning and getting everything just right for the Passover seder is a daunting task, even for the experienced. So many details, so many people to coordinate, so much to clean...and amazingly, so many lessons to learn. In removing the chametz from your home (aka 'borders'), you live out the reality of the inability to rid yourself completely of sin. ::sigh::

Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. (1 Cor. 5)

So much to ponder while so busy. Couples have been nominated within our congregation to act as deacons or shamashim, and I have been prayerfully considering their qualifications. Why are these things so difficult? I definitely want to vote appropriately, even though I question if the congregation needs to vote on shamashim at all. I can understand voting for overseers, but perhaps we do not need to vote on deacons. Just a thought...did Moses designate by vote? Also, I believe that the duties of a deacon go beyond just taking care of widows and orphans and the distribution of food. More thinking, reading and praying are in order, I believe.

Then, right after the Passover seder is but a memory, the biggest Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention in the PNW is taking place...and you have to know that my beloved Padawan and I will be there in full Jedi attire. Can I switch gears that fast and get all of our stuff prepared, packed and parked to partake of the festivities? Sheesh, I'm a little unsure at this point! Guess I need to get out my 'con list' and get stuff gathered together, in between cleaning out the pantry of chametz and cooking chicken for 40-plus!

So, there's a slice of life for you. Either it's feast or famine; completely and utterly bored out of my skull, or so busy and conflicted that I want to jump out of my skin.

I hate that.