I'm kinda of straying from my usual but this still reminded me of Pat, at least the way he was with me.
Mom gave me the book "The Shack" to read and she was given the book by Sally, Tim's wife (Pat's daughter-in-law). This was just one page that I had to read over a few times cause it seemed such a perfect thing to remember.
Mom and Pat never expected us to do anything. We didn't have to call, we didn't have to visit but when we did there was always joy in their voices or a big hug waiting for you if you did call or visit. No requirements really. Oh, and to hang out was the best, no need to really plan anything, just hanging together was where it was at, laughing and talking, to just be friends. Not everyone's like that, are they?
Here's how it reads
Papa says: from “The Shack” page 206
I will take a verb over a noun any day.
Huh? (Mack says)
Papa says:
I am a verb. I am that I am. I will be who I will be. I am a verb! I am alive, dynamic, ever active, and moving. I am a being verb.
Humans, on the other hand, have a knack for taking a verb that is alive and full of grace and turning it into a dead noun or principle that reeks of rules – then something growing and alive dies. Nouns exist because there is a created universe and physical reality, but if the universe is only a mass of nouns, it is dead. Unless “I am”, there are no verbs and verbs are what makes the universe alive.
Let’s use the example of friendship and how removing the element of life from a noun can drastically alter a relationship. If you and I are friends, there is an expectancy that exists within our relationship. When we see each other or are apart, there is an expectancy of being together, of laughing and talking. That expectancy has no concrete definition; it is alive and dynamic and everything that emerges from our being together is a unique gift shared by no one else. But what happens if I change that expectancy to an expectation – spoken or unspoken? Suddenly, law has entered into our relationship. You are now expected to perform in a way that meets my expectations. Our living friendship rapidly deteriorates into a dead thing with rules and requirements. It is no longer about you and me, but about what friends are supposed to do, or the responsibilities of a good friend.
Makes me think. I am.
The rest of the book is great too. :)
So are you a verb or a noun?
Love,
Xochi
Wow, I love being reminded of this. I hope I am a verb. The Shack should be read by everyone. It gives such a bright perspective about religion. Just as simple as being a verb or a noun. But there is so much more and I think I will reread it again now. As Adi Da my Teacher says, we are already happy but we have to realize that. Nobody elses rules work for us. I met, on the phone, one of my relatives who is 96 today. She is bright as a tack and says all she wants is to do what she wants. Fantastic. At that age people try to take away your privilages. She won't let them. She has a walker and walks to UCLA gardens each day. She is true to herself and definitely a verb. In Mexico Roberto told us about his grandma who lived through the Revolution and was a real character. She smoked strong cigarettes, had a glass of tiquila each evening, an apple and smelled of orange blossoms and something else. He loved her as she was. Sadly the family began to take care of her as she aged and stripped her of her own character. No tiquila or cigarettes. We have to be careful not to make people into what we want them to be so life is easier for us. Louise my relative is very definite about what she wants and does not want. She loses her balance so doesn't want anyone to touch her. "Don't touch me!" she says and means it. "I celebrate my birthday the first of every month" she says. she is coming to my 75th birthday dinner at Lawrys and says what do you want for a present. I told her, just her will be perfect. The Shack makes us look at life differently and happily. I hope everyone will read it and grok it.
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