January 20, 2005

The Dance

In my eyes it's a call to war. A fight: The Cancer has come; Gather the troops, Defend thyself! Build strength through health and knowledge and the newest discoveries, but with everything you have … FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! And yet, to Dad, ever teaching through his unique lens on the world, it is a dance. Not a chosen dance, to be sure, but a dance none the less. And each move is graceful, each new song, though not requested is greeted with fresh movement and grace. And so I back down with my call to arms. Open myself to the possibility, and dance. I dance with my husband through my fear and my hope. I dance with my children remembering how precious they are each and every day. I dance with my brother, my sister, my mom as we weave through this scary, painful and yes, even sometimes funny thing called cancer. And, now, especially now, I dance with my Father, as I continue to learn to approach life ~ and all that threatens it ~ from a new perspective, one of courage and faith, gained through grace and acceptance. Funny that I should learn this from Dad, I thought I was the dancer in the family. But learn I do. Life is much more precious as a dance than a war. It's easier to see the subtleties and appreciate the small victories… nay, the adagios. And in this new and tentative dance, I find release, and faith, and a deep welling joy. Keep Dancing… Posted by Jeni at January 20, 2005 09:06 AM

Jenni, you have a wonderful wayb with words. Gee I wonder where that came from with the very gifted parents you have. I know you know that your entire family is in our prayers daily.

Posted by: Carol Garguile at January 20, 2005 09:32 AM

Yes, Jeni, let's keep dancing, keep listening for the melody of the morning, keep engaging one another as we reflect upon the amazing gift of life and the mysteriously strong bonds of love between family and friends.

These are the ties through which we dance with one another, And I even sense a dance going on in the midst of this conversation. It is the dance of life where generations hand on to other generations the joys and responsibilities of their calling.

Somehow, I have a hard time believing that death has the power remove us from the dance. Let the dancing continue!

Posted by: Donel McClellan at January 20, 2005 11:01 PM

Hi, Jeni. I just heard from friends about the latest developments (I was out of town last week and missed the announcement at church), and so I turned to this page to find out more. Thank you so much for the poem. I was feeling sad for your family and, of course, for me--I hear news like this and move to the what-ifs of it all. And your poem and Donel's dancing remind me of what I know, deep down, always. Terrible, terrifying times are also miracles of growth, love, comfort, joy. I have counted on Donel for reminders like this one as I have listened to his sermons over the years. He is a wonderful role model and mentor. I have thanked him (thank you, Donel!) and will do so again. Thank you for your poem and its nudging. I'll be posting it where I can see it often.

Sherri in Bellingham

Posted by: Sherri at January 22, 2005 09:45 AM

Dear Donel and family...I'm so grateful that you share your news and your spirits with all of us who are anxious to know what is happening...for me the knowing is accepting and comforting and your words are a balm. so many thanks and much love, Julie.

Posted by: julie gorrell at January 22, 2005 10:31 PM

Dear Donel,

We've been away for a couple of weeks. During this time you have often visited me in my thoughts. This morning I was asked to fill in for a Diaconate member who was ill. This required me to speak an invocation. One of the lines I dreamed up was something like "May God cha-cha-cha us into a time of re-creation."

Now I know where it came from.

That ole Holy Spirit was dancing through my brain as she has been dancing through your beautiful, God-loved body. The dance is so much nicer when we have a partner like the HS.

Thanks for allowing me to be part of your dance.

Jennifer

Posted by: Jennifer at January 23, 2005 04:50 PM

Dearest Don & family ~ This was in this morning's WHCC Sunday bulletin. It would seem that you have company on the dance floor.

CALL TO AWARENESS
Our joints were connected
by Christ's coming.
The promise
of no more dislocation but collection and
fixation.
Everybody knows
God gathered up the bones
and Ezekiel danced in the valley
with the clattering recollecton -
God dance,
bone dance.
The body knows
how well it's put together.
The body knows Jesus was a human
who called his bones
to come,
and dance together.

You are in always in my prayers ~ Peggy

Posted by: Peggy Schuh at January 23, 2005 05:18 PM
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