Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Ellie Sanderson
GIFTS
Birthdays always tend to give you perspective, especially when the number is high and rising. My ruminations lead me to think of the adage, “It is better to give than to receive.” Looking back, it seems that overall, I have tipped the scale to the receiving end. I have been graced with so much, and that grace has been so freely given.
We are coming into the season of gifting and receiving, with its joys and challenges, especially this year. How to express deep gratitude for the eternal, while giving material presents as well as love, as is our way of life.
Here's the the haunting question posed by the poet, Mary Oliver: (from her poem, The Summer Day)
Tell me what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
For myself, my one wild and precious life has had its universal joys, sorrows, luck and loss. Looking back, I remember what I have been given more readily than what gifts I have given away. I have been sustained and supported by relationships and have been brought up short by decisions I have made of which I am not proud..But isn't it comforting to hear that “No matter who you are or where you are in your journey of faith, you are always welcome at God's table.” That promise is the bottom line gift, and I'm sure we all look forward, (someday soon) to hearing these words from Rob in the sanctuary together.
I've heard that one's life is divided into somewhat equal segments, and it certainly is true for me. I spent the first 26 years of my life growing up practically next door in Exeter, singing in the choir at Christ Church growing up. My education took me to the Boston area and to France. My life in music started as my mother helped me with my piano lessons, starting at age 3. (Hard to believe now.) The next 25 years were spent in Maine, married to my gifted first husband who died of cancer at age 52. Our children were 18 and 15 at the time, and it was a struggle. My musical life came into its own at that point, after singing in so many choruses and teaching the piano, I had to make my living, and it was fortuitous that I was hired to be organist and choir director at our local Congregational Church in Kennebunkport, Maine. Substitute teaching and musical gigs kept us going. After five years, I married my first husband's second cousin, David Sanderson, who had come to Portsmouth in 1958, and who had raised a family in our community. His beautiful wife died of cancer in 1959, and he and I have now been happily married for 28 years. Portsmouth has been an unexpected gift to me, as I have had a chance to participate our very special community in many ways. Dave and I have traveled and hiked the world and seen for ourselves the difficulties faced by so many. The high point of my life was on an 18,000 peak in Nepal, Kala Patar, near the base camp for Mt. Everest. That's my journey in a nutshell. My one wild and precious life – with so many memories – and counting.
My life with its opportunities and ease, makes me reflect on the staggering number of people in the world who are suffering in so many ways. Through our church mission, we are lighting the way for many who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness and adversity. The greeting, Namaste, may be translated to mean “I see the light in you.” We all can be inspired by the light in others, as we ourselves shine out our special gift. As children, the songs, This Little Light of Mine,” and “Brighten the Corner Where You Are.” ring truer now than ever. Seeing the light of Christ in others is perhaps the most meaningful gift of all.
On the receiving end, I am inspired by the loving outreach of our church in this pandemic time. To hear the wonderful music, to be able to take part in the service of worship on my computer, and to know that so many are doing the same cheers me no end. Thanksgiving this year will be a chance to thank God for all the blessings of our one wild and precious life – and to be grateful for each gift. Then on to that Christmas list! ( I should note that there are parishioners who do not have the technology to twist in to all of this bounty.)
I look forward to going through the season of Advent, and the Christmas celebrations with you all, as I have almost all of my life in the Episcopal Church.It was so heartening to hear that we will have our Lessons and Carols this year in a different, and creative way.I have been blessed to have served on St. John's Vestry for almost three years.