Memorial minutes

First words from Rumi

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

— Jalaluddin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks (The Essential Rumi)

RantWoman sometimes just has to trust her Light, for instance about why to open reflections on several recent deaths with Rumi's The Guest House." The poem DEFINITELY speaks to RantWoman's condition!

One reason probably has something to do with seasoning a really outrageous Dial-a-Tirade rant which may or may not need to follow reflections on how the world has lost 3 very kind people and if RantWoman needs more not less kindness in the world, she might really need to try to get her kindness act together a little better. Or maybe Rumi is a sign.


Steven Matchett Memorial minute
RantWoman did not know Steven well but Steven is the sort of person who has a CaringBridge site where dozens of people leave greetings every week. RantWoman is in awe both of the nmumbers and of Steven's ability to handle the numbers. Beyond that, please enjoy the memorial meminute


Henry Bernstein Memorial Minute
RantWoman knew some though not all of Henry's story; RantWoman was always touched by Henry;'s gentlenessa nd wisdom. RantWoman also misses seeing his daughter and son-in-law in worship but has no idea whether worship in its current realities would speak to their condition.

Henry for the last several years of his life came to worship on paratransit. RantWoman wishes there were not so much data to collect about tiresome customer service practices but thanks Henry for inspiration to keep fighting to improve things.

Henry was also on RantWoman's mental list of people dealing with severe vision loss. At its peak, the list had 13 people on it. 3 of them , all women in their 90's with macular degeneration as well as Henry have now passed away. RantWoman had conversations with him about large print and use of audio books. RantWoman will miss Henry. And RantWoman is grateful for continuing technological revelation and the internet and other phenomena Henry probably did not care about.

There is a Dial-a-Tirade topic connected with RantWoman's mentla list of 13 blind people. Stay tuned.

Tom Craig Memorial Minute
As RantWoman has written elsewhere, RantWoman had no idea where Tom spent his working life. RantWoman's notes his description of the concepts behind his worship. RantWoman appreciates Meeting for capacity to pray together across many differences. RantWoman remembers Tom most fondly though for use of the highly technical accounting concept of "peanut buttering costs / income across years instead of quarters." RantWoman also remembers taht generally the conclusion was "we took in less than we budgeted but we spent less than we took in."