Heidi Granstrom's blog

So began the benediction at the close of the candlelight Christmas Eve service I attended last night at the UU church with my three children. As we sat in the center back of the sanctuary I imagined what a fine picture our congregation made with our faces warmly aglow in our cradled candle flames. I envied the view that the choir and Reverand Sue had, elevated in front, looking so kindly upon us.
How else should one look on Christmas, in candlelight, no matter what pain or disappointment may lie in one's heart?
My twin daughtere sat to either side of me, a little giddy with being 10, and it being Christmas, and the presents that waited at home, so I gently hushed them with a silent finger placed to my lips so as to not harm the spirit of the moment for the others there.

Given that an effective Democracy relies on an informed and active citizenry I've recently focused on local events of note. But I plan to once in awhile take in the bigger picture and what's at stake as we are all part of something so much bigger and more important than ourselves and our lives.

Try these articles on for size. I do apologize that my Macintosh computer doesn't seem to allow me to make 'click on' links, a conflict between the PC world and my world perhaps...I'll be working on that. For now Dan Butterfass, the admin on these pages has stepped in and made my links ACTIVE. Thanks Dan!

I've never participated in a Catholic funeral prior to Jean McConnell's, but from my experience yesterday, the Catholic tradition has much to offer in the way of hope. The priest referred to this time as one of 'acceptance' which is a welcome paradigm shift from grief, suffering and loss...for we have no choice in this. The challenge of acceptance offers hope. From my dictionary, the word catholic means, "...universal, general...all-inclusive...of general scope or value, liberal...of the Christian church as a whole; specif., of the ancient, undivided Christian church." The priest at Jean's service made the strong connection between Jesus' 'Sermon on the Mount' and public service saying, in effect, we are all engaged in God's work, and he made special note of recognizing the service of the police, firefighters and other public employees in attendance.

I arrived at the City TnT hearing Monday 12/12 a little late, as usual, sorry to say...so I later realized that I'd missed something that at the time I'd mischaracterized as a deserved somber mood that I thought was possibly due to some 'spent' anger and misdirected complaint. Perhaps, I thought, all had realized we were all in this together and may have even felt a bit chagrined over the display at prior TnT hearings. The mood was pensive and I thanked all, when I spoke, for the respectful atmosphere not evident at the County and School hearings. The next afternoon I heard about Councilman McConnell's stroke and incapacity the day before and I understood the felt mood of the day before differently..

If you've been attending the truths-in-taxation hearings one thing of particular interest is noting not only the types of statements made from the public mike, but who seems to be in accord with whom, and funny enough, even who's sitting with whom! Out in the hall, after the County TNT hearing (12/1), Denny Hanson and John Eckerman agreed that Fred Daly was their 'only one' on the School Board. If it's not weird enough that the City Council president and the Chamber of Commerce are picking favorite 'sympathy votes' on our School Board, listen to this: If you showed up at the School Board TnT hearing (12/6), tucked snugly between John Eckerman and John Wade of Chamber fame was Jon Losness, editor/publisher of our hometown newspaper.

Now showing at Chateau Theatre: GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK I SAW THIS LAST THURSDAY (yesterday) AT 1:40PM after the very inspiring Darn Fine Ladies luncheon. Despite the odd early afternoon hour there were about 30-40 people at this film. This topic is so timely once again. We have a creeping sort of fascism/nationalism occurring with creeping threats to civil liberties so that there are ample familiar sounding moments in this B/W film that includes actual footage of some of the McCarthy hearings. Yes, this not only happened in America, it can happen and, some may argue, is happening again. Democracy requires an informed, VIGILANT, and active citizenry.

I've been a poor correspondent since Thanksgiving Day, 12 days past, when I mentioned surgery the next day. I've been on crutches ever since and my patient dog waits for those fabulous outings I've promised his deserving, devoted 13 year old (91 dog years) soul; and my patience, of necessity, changes depending on the situation. Winter has set in with a tenacity that won't allow my ususal "wait for the sun to melt it before planning on shoveling plan" to suffice. I do love to shovel snow, however. For me, it's a meditation, out at night in the still, quiet; nothing but the rhythmic, physical effort of lofting shovel after shovel...and the the evidence of your breath, and life, hanging in the air...

This was the prayer I shared at my table today. I hope you'll find something in it as I did on this day when we pay tribute to those who came before us, in our national history, and the hope we have for the future. "Oh Great Spirit, giver of all life You have been always, and nothing before you has been. Look and smile upon us your children, so that we may live this day to serve you. Watch over my relatives, the Red, Black, White, and Brown. Sweeten my heart and fill me with light this day. Give me strength to understand and the eyes to see. Help me Great Spirit, for without you, I am nothing." (Paul War Cloud, Native American Sioux.