Markers

I carry in my pocket a wooden token that I received from children’s book author, Peter Reynolds. When I worked for the Children’s Defense Fund, Reynolds was promoting his book, “DOT” and I was invited to be part of a small group that got to spend time with the author. To each of us, he gave the wooden token that has printed on it “Make Your Mark.” It’s a clear and important lesson: be the difference that makes a positive difference.

As a society we celebrate and mark individual and corporate achievements as a way to call the community to remember and also, I think, to inspire.

In Pittsburgh many of our public markers center on sports. This week on my statues walk on the North Shore I also went in search of the monument to the “Immaculate Reception.” It’s located past Stage AE and before Heinz Field at the exact spot where in 1972 Steelers running back, Franco Harris, made what has been called the “greatest play in NFL history” and that birthed the Steelers dynasty.

In yesterday's “Post Gazette” was an article recognizing the latest faces to be added to the “Wall of Fame” at the original PRIMANTI’S BROTHERS in the Strip District. What caught my attention was whom they honored --- Dan McCoy and Josh Wirt, members of the Mighty Penguins sled hockey team. Sled hockey is ice hockey where players navigate the ice on sleds affixed with blades and use short sticks to hit the puck. The game is made for persons with disabilities to play ice hockey.

We each want to make our mark.

We each are capable of making our mark.

The point is however you do it, make your mark, use your talents, and respond to the opportunity provided.

One may not make it on the wall at Primantis or have a statue. The most one can hope for is to do that which shines some light on the path others will travel and bends that long moral arc of the universe a bit closer to what is just.

Go for it --- make your mark;

sj;

Book it

For several years the Carnegie Library has been doing the “One Book, One Community” project. Basically, a good book that should prompt discussion is selected and the community is encouraged to read the book and invited to attend a variety of discussion groups to converse about it.

This year’s selection is PEOPLE OF THE BOOK by Geraldine Brooks.

Early on, the book has me thinking about what a wonder are books and that one can learn a lot about a person based on what they read.

I come from a family of readers. My mother often shared how rare and valuable it was for her to have a book of her own as a child and that she cherished those books and would read them over and over. My Aunt Florence was a librarian who gave her children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews a new book each Christmas. I still have those great “Disney Classic” and Dr. Seuss books that she gave me. They are treasures.

It’s amazing what a book that has been read and enjoyed can tell you. I’ve been looking through some of the books my mother had and it’s warming to read the inscriptions written by the persons who gave her the book and why they chose that particular book for her.

Pick-up a book that has that worn and read look to it and one can detect passages that had meaning for the reader by looking for that turned-over corner of the page. A close observation may reveal if the person read the book while drinking a cup of coffee. One may even be able to detect background information on the reader based on what pieces of paper or receipts are tucked into the pages.

One of my college English professors encouraged his students to write in their books. (It took my Mom awhile to view this as a good thing). “Mark ‘em up,” he would say, “show me you’re reading the book and are finding something worthwhile, something that made you think!” Ever since then, I’ve been a writer in books. I have a series of symbols and markings, underlined passages, and notes and reflections written in the margins. Persons who have borrowed a book from me say they read two things: the book itself and what it meant to me.

To this day, when we get together as a family usually early on in the conversation someone will ask, “So, what are you reading now?” .... Well?

sj;

The game breeds hope....

Happy, Pirates Opening Day!
(I'll pause for you to insert "Yeah, and it's also April Fools Day!" joke here.....)

So, why, after 20 consecutive years of losing, am I still excited about our Buccos?
Why will I once again root, root, root for the Pirates?

Here's ten reasons:

10. The game itself. Of all the sports, I love baseball the most. There is a beauty, a balance, and an order to the game. Even more, sometimes the Pirates show us those things.....

9. Tradition. I'm from here, this is our team and the Buccos are whom we support. I am a sucker for their slogan of showing the block-letter P and the words: Pride, Passion, Pittsburgh Pirates. I grew up when the Buccos were good and were the game in town --- Clemente, Stargell, Stennett, Moreno, Tekulve, Garner, Foli, Drabek, Smiley, Van Slyke....

8. The game is a part of spring and summer memories. I would get out of school to go to the home opener; we saved "Town-Talk" bread wrappers as part of a promotion that would get you a ticket to the game; listening to the game on the radio while sitting on the porch and sharing the joy and angst with neigbors; attending games with numerous church groups as a visible sign and effort of hope...do you think Pope Francis likes baseball?

7. As one ages, one instructs the next generation. Notably, I've taken my nephew, Nathan, to innumerable Pirates Fests, to the Hall of Fame, have instructed him on the greatness of Roberto Clemente, bought him ballcaps and game gear, and have attended many games....alas, he has these memories yet sadly can't remember the last time the Pirates won...

6. PNC Park is a beautiful place to watch a ballgame. Celebrate, folks, it was rated the "Best Ballpark in America!" I'm pretty confident this will be part of a bobblehead give-away sometime this season.

5. The "Why Not Us?" slogan of the team in the mid-90's who were in the hunt for awhile. Hey, it was way better than the "Come Hungry" campaign which highlighted the "All-You-Can-Eat Seats."

4. The dreams of former Little-Leaguers remain. If the T-Birds (team of my youth) can go from a 54-9 trouncing on our opening game and zero-wins our first season to league champs then anything is possible! Hey, maybe the Pirates should have a local car dealership or local business support 'em! Oh....that's right....the local taxpayers and fans...we do. You think for each of the 162 games played this year they could put "Sponsored By" and list the names of a 100 or so fans on the backs of their jersies?

3. There is a spriitual quality to the game...it soothes me....calms me.....and then the game starts.....

2. The ongoing quest to find what is the right "ju-ju" to break the losing streak. We know never to bring a bag of peanuts purchased outside the stadium into the park; we had a winning streak going when we ate curry puffs, alas that ended; biking to the ballpark was working....for a while; we've positioned Pirates caps on lamps during winning streaks....sigh, those hats were eventually removed. This season we will go through numerous rituals, outfits and lucky hats, sooner or later it has to work for the long haul...I have not ruled out sacrificing a small animal sometime this season.

1. The game has a timelessnes to it, there is no clock so the game can go for hours or feel like an eternity. My family has a solemn vow that we never, ever leave a Pirates game early....we are a hearty lot......LET'S GO BUCS!

Happy Easter

The poet Mary Oliver said that the greatest sermon she ever heard was the sun. Perfect.

Consider yesterday and the energy in people outside doing yard work, playing catch, reading, taking a walk...persons out with one another in the light and warmth of the sun.

A sunshine is one of the first things we learn to draw. Still, when I’m doodling, there are an abundance of suns.

A majority of the great leaders and thinkers arise before dawn and welcome the sun. There is a rush, a catch of the breath, a vibrancy, a zest, a tangible movement of hope in watching the dawn of a new day. One is really aware of how light comes softly yet with noticeable intention. The birds sing to welcome the light. In the moment before dawn there is a quiet hope, a peace, a newness.

I’ve noticed that a lot of faith communities seem to have moved past the Easter Sunday Sunrise service. It needs to be re-claimed. The service gets people up and outside and the wonder of nature brings the message.

When I moved to Erie for a new church appointment and was near a significant body of water in Lake Erie I determined that my first Easter sunrise service would be at the lake. I would not be swayed. I spent a couple of weeks prior to Easter checking for myself which beach would offer the best view of the rising sun so as to properly direct parishioners where we would gather.

That Easter morning it was a bit brisk as I drove to the beach in the late night darkness. I had determined that I would do the service in barefoot. One, because the occasion and what we were celebrating was holy and two, I could share with this new congregation my take on “Easter Feet.”

Years previous, while doing the children’s sermon on Easter I had taken off my socks and shoes and met the kids at the steps of the altar area barefooted. Of course, this caught their attention and I proceeded to tell the story as relayed in John’s gospel of Peter and John racing to the empty tomb and how they were so excited to get there they ran right of their sandals! Easter feet --- we need ‘em in our excitement to run and share the great news of the Resurrection.

Of course the kids paid attention and all the little ones in their colorful Easter dresses and white tights and patent leather shoes and sharp suits also wanted to have “Easter Feet” and proceeded to enter various stages of undress on the altar area. One never knows how the message will be responded to.

This Easter, do respond to the message of Life and “Practice Resurrection.”

To light!

To life!

To hope!

To joy!

Happy Easter Feet!

sj;