It's Ayyam-i-Ha for the expectant Grandma

Gerri knows how to celebrate. (Ayyam-i-Ha is a time for gift-giving and social gatherings in the Baha'i Faith.) Her apartment is decorated with lovely lighted branches in a vase and other special decorations, and I know they are planning to celebrate with good food and equally good company. When I called her today, she made me promise that I will eat chocolate; it's Gerri's decree that Ayyam-i-Ha is a day for chocolate! What Gerri wants is what Gerri gets, so chocolate it is. Gina made a ginger and pear upside-down cake of which I'll received a piece next Friday when I go for a short visit to see them both. I'll explain all that to my hips later.

Gerri has been given breathing room, literally and figuratively. As mentioned before, the terrible pain and rapid decline has retreated for now and progression has slowed down to the occasional gentle reminder that it has not stopped. This is giving Gerri time to visit with those who are closest to her, her immediate and extended family, and being able to enjoy the time she has with them. And, perhaps, if God wills it, she'll see the arrival of Vena and Mokuh's child in April. Gerri is an expectant grandma!

For those of you who had asked Gerri about sending a baby gift to Vena and Mokuh, here is a list of baby things that they need. If you would like to send a gift, please send email to Bartholomew and Vena and make arrangements directly with them.

Vena, Mokuh's wife, will be giving birth to their first child in April. Wouldn't it be lovely for Gerri to be here and  welcome her grand child? Prayers will help! Followed by READY... CAMERA... SKYPE!

Ten-star days and Love

Gerri continues to enjoy every day to the fullest. Every time I see her now—enjoying each day without pain, blissfully eating chocolate, sipping hot water, chatting about God and the world—I try to absorb Gerri's gracious and courageous attitude into my being with the hope that I'll remember it and will be able to emulate it when my time comes to get ready for the end of my earthly life.

I "sat with Gerri" yesterday. What an expression. I guess your vocabulary changes when someone is ill and is safer with someone sitting with them. This Gerri-sitting was really a delightful visit in her great company, topped with servings of excellent tea and scrumptious chocolate. Even better is that you can always feel the love Gerri is surrounded with, draws strength from, and exudes with every precious minute you spend in her company.

On Valentine's Day, Mokuh sent to some friends on facebook a virtual box of chocolate with what I think is the perfect definition of Love and its immense power.

"Know thou of a certainty that Love is the secret of God's holy Dispensation, the manifestation of the All-Merciful, the fountain of spiritual outpourings. Love is heaven's kindly light, the Holy Spirit's eternal breath that vivifieth the human soul. Love is the cause of God's revelation unto man, the vital bond inherent, in accordance... with the divine creation, in the realities of things. Love is the one means that ensureth true felicity both in this world and the next. Love is the light that guideth in darkness, the living link that uniteth God with man, that assureth the progress of every illumined soul. Love is the most great law that ruleth this mighty and heavenly cycle, the unique power that bindeth together the divers elements of this material world, the supreme magnetic force that directeth the movements of the spheres in the celestial realms. Love revealeth with unfailing and limitless power the mysteries latent in the universe. Love is the spirit of life unto the adorned body of mankind, the establisher of true civilization in this mortal world, and the shedder of imperishable glory upon every high-aiming race and nation."
(Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha)

Thank you, Bartholomew. I've savoured each word, because there is nothing to add or to remove from the perfection of this statement. Gerri is sending everyone her love.