PAGES Winter 2000 Editorial
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Editorial, Winter 2000 issue of PAGES:
"Looking Around Me"
"From your parents you learn love and laughter and how to put one foot before the other. But when books are opened you discover that you have wings."
Someone once remarked, "Of the making of books there is no end." And I admit I am grateful.
Those of you who have served in the creative project called SOOP (Service Opportunities for Older People) likely wonder when someone will write a book telling of the joys of vacationing and also serving in the various ministries across the church — is it time to assign a scribe to tell this story about giving of presence and skills and receiving gifts of friendship and new learnings. This project brings together many parts of the Mennonite fellowship as it is jointly run by MMA, MARP and MCC Canada.
Back to the subject of books — many of you surely have enjoyed the TV dramatization of Tuesdays with Morrie starring Jack Lemmon. This true-life story was first written as a highly readable and full-of-wisdom book by Mitch Albion as he rediscovered his former college professor. He finds him facing death — during weekly visits Albion records Morrie's sharpened insight and gentle humor as he relishes one more chance to teach his former student —this time about living and about dying. A book worth savoring — even after enjoying the movie.
I recommend to you another book by a Mennonite author. In Community of Memories Jeff Gundy, Bluffton College English professor and poet, mines truths from his own family history and, informed by careful research, builds the stories by creatively speaking in the voices of those ancestors. The result is a harvest of meaning for our own journeys today.
For those who want a Sunday School series — here is one with exactly 12 chapters, Reflections on Aging and Spiritual Growth (Abingdon Press). Likely the best-known mentors in this book are Kathleen Norris and William H. Willimon. It is also an inspiring one to dip into one chapter at a time.
Just now I am traveling through the landscape of age with the field guide entitled, Another Country, by Mary Pipher. These and other books that instruct and delight may lead you to discover you, too, "have wings."
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