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January 24

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January 24

Today was split into two parts – the “before” and the “after.”

In the “before” I drove into town to see if I could find a little bedside lamp for our spare bedroom. I thought I’d stop by Pat’s New and Used – I hadn’t been there for years and I wondered if my former student, Rod, was still connected to it. His family had owned the old Pat’s New and Used, I remembered. So I stopped by to see what I could see. It was amazing in there! – full of nostalgia and fun, useful things and cheerfully whimsical things. I found a little lamp right away and set it on the counter, and then just explored for a while.

When I came back to the counter, I asked the clerk if Rod still was part of Pat’s New and Used, and she told me he was! Then she led me back through the aisles and outside and called out to him. Rod came out from behind some machinery and I asked him if he remembered me. He smiled and said he did – he said I was “Mrs. Terrell” – he recognized my voice and smile and mannerisms. I’d had Rod in class probably 37 or 38 years ago and it’s an understatement to say that I’ve changed a little since then – so it was very cool that he still remembered me. Rod and I chatted and laughed together for a while and then I asked him if I could get his picture, and this is when I realized I’d left my cellphone at home. So Rod kindly took our photo with his cellphone. (See our pic below.)

It was so fun to see Rod again, and I was so excited about finding my new little lamp. I came home all full of gratitude about the gifts Life gives us.

Then I checked my FB messages. I learned about the murder in Minnesota this morning. All the joy of the morning got sucked out of me.

The rest of the day was my “after.”

I had to go back into town to get some gas and buy groceries. Usually I walk into Fred’s with a smile on my face, wondering who I’m going to run into in there, and what magic I’ll find. But today I walked in feeling emotionally shattered. I wandered the aisles, shocked and numb. I exchanged a smile with another man who had the same look I probably had on my face – he looked like he was in mourning.

But when I got to the produce section I found a moment of joy – a cart went by with a toddler sitting in it, and I found myself smiling at the wee one, coaxing a smile back from him. His innocence, his unaffected happiness in getting a smile, and returning it to me – was magic. It’s amazing how a small thing like a smile from a baby can bring us out of the depths, isn’t it?

I found the things I wanted. Summoned a smile for the cashier – I love the people who work at Fred’s – filled my tank with gas, and started the drive home.

Following my intuition, I ended up taking a side road on the way home, and found myself gazing at a field of swans. I pulled over and got out of the car and started snapping pictures. The swans didn’t seem scared of me at all. They glanced up to see what was watching them, trusted I was harmless, and then went back to grazing. It was so peaceful there with the swans. Another moment of joy.

As I was about to get back on Chuckanut, I impulsively turned into the Otter Beans espresso stand. The baristas there always lift me up with their kindness. Danielle was manning the shop today. She asked me how I was, and I was honest with her about how I was feeling. There were no other customers there right then, and Danielle and I had a good chat for about ten minutes – talking to Danielle was like talking with a life coach. I told her I always find joy at the Otter Beans, and she told me that I had just brought HER joy by telling her that. Then she reminded me that for all the evil we see happening in the world, there’s always good, too – and she reminded me to look for that.

Just about then, Scotty suddenly appeared next to me. He was on his way home from his errands, too, and had seen me at Otter Beans. It always makes my heart happy when I see my husband unexpectedly. More joy!

I got home. Made myself some peanut butter and honey toast. Put on the 1987 version of *Adventures in Babysitting* and watched a babysitter conquer the forces of evil. I found this weirdly inspiring.

At 7:00, like other people around the nation, Scott and I lit a candle in tribute to Alex Pretti, an American hero.

And thus ended another day in the U.S.A.

Go Seahawks! Also – TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS!

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Go Seahawks! Also yay to TRUTH JUSTICE and KINDNESS.

When I drove by the courthouse just before noon, there was only one sign-holder there. I honked in support, then I parked my car and pulled out my TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS sign to join him on the corner. Dylan had started back to his bike by the time I got out of my car, but when he saw me, he turned around and came back to join me on the corner.

Dylan was so fun! I think what had brought him to the courthouse with his sign was the same thing that had brought me today – the murders in Minnesota. But, in spite of the fact that we were drawn there by tragedy, Dylan was one of those people it’s easy to laugh with, too.

I’d worn my Seahawks shirt today, and I found that when people looked grumpy at seeing my TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS sign, all I had to do was reveal my Seahawks shirt and yell “Go Seahawks!” and they’d start laughing and give me the thumbs up. Dylan said I should have had “Go Seahawks!” on the other side of my TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS sign and then I could just flip it back and forth, depending on our audience. 😃

Not long after Dylan and I joined forces on the corner, another sign-bearer joined us: my FB friend, Tele. Now we were three! I introduced Dylan and Tele to each other and we got a group photo. Dylan had to leave to get to work then, but just about the time Dylan left, we were joined by Teri. And then Kelsey joined us. I introduced myself as the Karen in the group – because every group needs one – and we had fun putting our names together: Tele, Teri, Kelsey, and Karen. I love alliteration.

I’d been parked for an hour by then, in a spot that was limited to an hour, and it was time for me to go. But I so enjoyed connecting with Dylan and the two Ts and the other K.

I drove to Fred’s with the idea of getting a mocha and maybe a pastry. Sitting outside the store was a man, holding a sign for help. I asked him if I could get him a coffee and he said that would be nice. I asked him what kind he’d like and he said a mocha would be good.

The store was full of Seahawks fans – blue and green everywhere. I’m glad I’d worn my Seahawks shirt today.

Just inside the store was a rack of little pies on sale for 50 cents each. I got two of those – one for the man outside, and one for myself – and then ordered two mochas from the baristas.

I brought the man his mocha and asked him if he liked pies – which he did. He thanked me for the pie and mocha, and said, “God bless.” And I wished him well.

And now I’m home, watching the Broncos and Patriots do battle in the snow. Pretty soon the Seahawks will take to the field in Seattle.

Go Seahawks! Also TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS!

New Book of Poetry: A Smile from the Cosmos

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Here are my offerings today, culled from my newly-published book of poetry, A Smile from the Cosmos.

We have just a tiny scrap of existence here
– a miniscule piece of eternity –
to love and learn and live
and leave something good behind.
Let’s not waste it on nothings.
– Karen Molenaar Terrell

Quotes from *Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures* for “These Latter Days”

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Several friends have reached out to ask me if I have any thoughts about how Mary Baker Eddy might have responded to our current conflicts. What would she have thought about all that’s going on right now in our nation and our world?

I think it might be helpful to remember that Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) lived through tumultuous times, too. When she was born, slavery was still legal in this country, and by the time she died women still didn’t have the right to vote. During her lifetime there was the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, the Teapot Dome Scandal, the Trail of Tears, the assassinations of presidents Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley, and the arrival of “Yellow Journalism.” Tensions were building around the world at the time of her death, and within just a few years after she died, WWI began. I don’t think she’d be surprised by anything that’s happening today. In fact, I believe she was preparing us to meet the challenges of today with her work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

Below, I’m going to type in 15 quotes from Science and Health that have been helpful to me as I’ve prayed about current events. These are quotes that bolster my courage, give me guidance in my actions and words, and give me hope. I jotted down these quotes as I was reading through the book a year ago, and I didn’t put down page numbers. I’ll leave that to you.


1) “Mortals must find refuge in Truth in order to escape the error of these latter days.”

2) “Tyranny, intolerance, and bloodshed, wherever found, arise from the belief that the infinite is formed after the pattern of mortal personality, passion, and impulse.”

3) “Error or any kind cannot hide from the law of God.”

4) “Though error hides behind a lie and excuses guilt, guilt cannot forever be concealed. Truth, through her eternal laws, unveils error. Truth causes sin to betray itself…Even the disposition to excuse guilt or to conceal it is punished. The avoidance of justice and denial of Truth tend to perpetuate sin, invoke crime, jeopardize self-control, and mock divine mercy.”

5) “Covering iniquity will prevent prosperity and the ultimate triumph of any cause.”

6) “Ignorance, subtlety, or false charity does not forever conceal error; evil will in time disclose and punish itself.”

7) “It requires courage to utter truth; for the higher Truth lifts her voice, the louder will error scream, until its inarticulate sound is forever silence in oblivion.”

8 ) “Neither sympathy nor society should ever tempt us to cherish error in any form, and certainly we should not be error’s advocate.”

9) “Obedience to Truth gives man power and strength.”

10) “Truth, Life, and Love are the only legitimate and eternal demands on man.”

11) “Your influence for good depends upon the weight you throw into the right scale. The good you do and embody gives you the only power obtainable.”

12) “No power can withstand divine Love.”
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13) “Christian Scientists must live under the constant pressure of the apostolic command to come out from the material world and be separate. They must renounce aggression, oppression, and the pride of power. Christianity, with the crown of Love upon her brow, must be their queen of life.”

14) “At all times and under all circumstances, overcome evil with good.”

15) “Love must triumph over hate.”

And okay, I’ve got to bring in one more:

“During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check. They will aid in the ejection of error. They will maintain law and order, and cheerfully await the certainty of ultimate perfection.”
Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 97

Rallying for Kindness

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I had such fun today!

I started my to-do list with a trip to the bank. There was a man with a Latino accent next to me at the counter, and we made small talk for a while while the bankers took care of us. We both finished our business at the same time, and exited the bank, smiled and wished each other a good day. And then he put out his arms for a hug! I was so touched by this. We hugged and then I unzipped my fleece jacket and showed him I was wearing my “EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE” shirt. His face lit up in a big smile and he thanked me.

After the bank, I drove into Mount Vernon and parked near the Red Apple market. I brought out my “TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS” sign and brought it with me as I walked, first, to the courthouse – to put my school levy ballot in the courthouse ballot box – and then down to the Co-Op for a breve.

As I walked to the Co-Op with my sign, a couple of people honked and gave me a thumbs up, and one person yelled out her window, “I love your sign!” That made me smile.

I passed a shop window with wedding dresses topped with Seahawks t-shirts, and that made my smile even bigger. 😃

When I got to the Co-Op, I gave my breve order to a cheery cashier named Annabelle. When Annabelle asked for a name to put on my breve, I cringed and said, “Karen. It’s so embarrassing.”

Annabelle started laughing and said, “So you know about that?” And then she said, “But you’re one of the nice Karens.” And then, of course, I had to take her picture because she was so cool.

Annabelle told me my drink was going to take about ten minutes – they were very busy at the Co-Op today – and I let her know that wasn’t a problem.

As I’d been walking to the Co-Op, I’d gotten it into my noggin that I wanted a picture of me holding my sign underneath the painting of my friend, the late great John “Peace Wizard” Bromet, that was hanging in the Co-Op. I trusted I would find the right person to take the picture for me when the time came. And I did! As soon as I started up the stairs to the loft, I spied a man sitting at a table facing me, and I just knew he was the man I needed for this job! I approached him and asked him (I learned his name was Andy) if he could take the photo for me. Andy smiled and said of course he could do that for me.

Then I went back downstairs to see if my breve was ready, and this is when I heard someone calling my name. I looked over to see my old friend, Pat, sitting at a table with a buddy. Pat introduced me to his friend, Nils, as the daughter of Dee Molenaar – Nils is a mountaineer and had heard of Dad. He asked my name and I said, “Karen. Because every place needs a Karen, right?” Nils and Pat laughed and we chatted for a while, then my breve was ready, and I brought it with me back down the street to the courthouse for the noon rally.

I saw the regular noon rally crew there – Marilyn and John and Ginny – but there was a whole host of new people I hadn’t met before, too. Across the street there was a young man dancing to music and holding his rally sign, and I just had to join the “dancing man.” I learned the dancing man’s name is Isaac, and that he’s involved with the Community-to-Community organization. Isaac had picked out the music that was playing over the loudspeakers and it was great! One of my favorites was “A Change is Gonna Come.” How perfect!

Rallying with Canadians at Peace Arch Park

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Such joy! I can’t remember ever having more fun at a rally. The Canadians hosted the gathering at Peace Arch Park today and they always pick the best music: Stand By Me, Bridge Over Troubled Water, We Are the World, You’ve Got a Friend, What a Wonderful World.

There’s something really cool about Americans and Canadians standing shoulder-to-shoulder in unity at our border. The lines into Canada were packed today – I saw license plates from Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, and British Columbia – cars full of smiling people of every color and race – giving us the thumbs up, cheering, honking, waving. I was so inspired by the positive energy and kindness I witnessed today.

At one point I strolled three yards to the Canadian side of the border marker in the park, just to see how things were going up north. Then I traveled back to the States, where my fellow American, Steve, asked me how my travels to Canada had gone. I told him I’d had a great trip.

I ran into our old Bow neighbors, Carol and Don, who used to own the Rhododendron Cafe. It was so good to see them again! They live not far from Peace Ark Park now, and this isn’t the first Peace Arch rally they’ve attended.

And – get this! – I saw someone who looked very much like my former student, Hector, waving and grinning from one of the cars in the line to the border. I grinned and waved back – but I thought, “Nah. That can’t be Hector. What would he be doing here?” Later, Hector texted me to confirm that it was him!

As I was leaving the rally, holding my TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS sign so it faced the lines of cars – cars were still honking at me, and people were waving. The support today was so encouraging!

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At one of the rallies I participated in last week, a tall young Black man joined us and we exchanged “how are you doing?”s. We both decided to cross the road at the same time. As we crossed, he looked down at me and grinned and said, “I’ll protect you.” I looked up at him and smiled and said, “And I’ll protect you!” It was such a lovely exchange. Just had to share.

Bless the Thumbs-Down Man

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Yesterday, as I was standing on the corner in front of the courthouse with my TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS sign, a man who was stopped in his car at the stoplight, honked and gave me a “thumbs down.” I pointed to each word on my sign, smiling and with my eyebrows raised in question. Truth? Thumbs down. Justice? Thumbs down. Kindness? Thumbs down. And now I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. What the heck?! Seriously?! What the heck?! The man holding a sign next to me started laughing, too. It was just too classic, you know? And we stood there, together, laughing at the sad ridiculousness of it all. I haven’t had such a good laugh in days. “Bless his heart,” I said, and we laughed some more.

But the thing is, I really meant that: Bless his heart. I found I wanted nothing but good for the thumbs-down-man. Bless his heart. Help him find himself as God’s innocent, loving child again – the child, expression, manifestation, idea, image and likeness of his Creator – Love and Truth – never separated for a moment from all that’s good.

Bless us ALL. Each and every beautiful one of us. Heal our hardened hearts. Help us to know ourselves as the precious children of our Father-Mother God – as the reflections of Love.

Amen.

(Still laughing.) 😀

“She’s Chatty!”

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My thanks to employee Robby at Fred Meyer’s who stopped what he was doing to come help me get the item I wanted from the toppiest shelf. Robby was very cool.

I took a moment to tell a father with an unhappy child in his cart what a good job he was doing – I saw his patience and calm as he talked his son through a difficult moment. He grinned and thanked me for noticing.

As I was going through the checkout I chatted and connected with my cashier, Patty, who is a former neighbor of mine. Then I turned to the woman sitting in a wheelchair behind me in line, and said, “Hello!” I think I took her by surprise because she got a big grin on her face before giving me a hello back. The man who was with her – her son maybe? – smiled at me, too. The woman said to Patty (referring to me), “She’s chatty.” And Patty laughed and explained that we used to be old neighbors. “We go waaay back,” I said, laughing.

I got to the door to exit, and there was another woman there, preparing to head out into the parking lot. It was dumping rain out there, and the woman and I looked at the rain and then at each other and started spontaneously laughing. “Hoods up!” I said, bringing my hood over my head. She pointed out that she didn’t have a hood. I gave her a quick nod, like we were comrades going into battle, and wished her good luck. She smiled and returned my good wishes.

His Love Exposed Their Hate and Incensed Them

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His words angered the bigots,
the bullies, the hateful, and greedy.
When he forced them to look
at themselves and see their own flaws,
he triggered their hate.
When he told them to love
their neighbors, feed the hungry,
welcome the stranger, and heal
the sick, they accused him
of all the evil they saw in themselves.
He agitated their egos,
stirred the stagnant waters,
brought cleansing sunlight
to the mold of their thoughts.
And their little egos were not happy
about this.
“What have we to do with thee?
Leave us alone!” they cried.
But he loved them too much
to be silent and let them be.

His unyielding love for all God’s
children exposed their own hate
and incensed them.
He was spat on, struck, ridiculed,
and crucified for his love.

But he rose on the third day
and made breakfast
for those who loved him.

Because Love always wins.
– Karen Molenaar Terrell

“If you venture upon the quiet surface of error and are in sympathy with error, what is there to disturb the waters? What is there to strip off error’s disguise?

“If you launch your bark upon the ever-agitated but healthful waters of truth, you will encounter storms. Your good will be evil spoken of. This is the cross. Take it up and bear it, for through it you win and wear the crown.”
– Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 254

“The “still, small voice” of scientific thought reaches over continent and ocean to the globe’s remotest bound. The inaudible voice of Truth is, to the human mind, “as when a lion roareth.” It is heard in the desert and in dark places of fear. It arouses the “seven thunders” of evil, and stirs their latent forces to utter the full diapason of secret tones. Then is the power of Truth demonstrated, – made manifest in the destruction of error.” 
Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 559

Not What We Are, But What We Could Become

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Something changed in my thought today, and I’m not sure I’m going to explain this well, but the change in my thought brought me a weird sort of comfort. I stopped being disappointed in my country, and found myself disillusioned instead.

It came to me that this vision I’ve held of my country as a noble place of freedom and “the land of opportunity” has always been an illusion. We’ve never been that. There have been good people in this country, for sure – people of courage and integrity, kindness and compassion – but there has always been racism and bigotry, greed and me-first-ness in this country, too. My nation isn’t unique in this – most every nation on this planet has dealt with the insanity we’re seeing so brazenly exhibited in the U.S. right now. But today it became clear to me that we’re no better than any other country, and sometimes we’re a lot worse.

And accepting that – accepting that we’ve always been flawed – has sort of relieved the stress of trying to “get back to” what I thought we were. Now I’m looking forward to moving past what we’ve always been, and helping my country progress towards what it could be. The time has never been more ripe for progress in the United States, and in the world.

“You were chosen. All of you. Not because of who you are, but because of who you might become.” (A line from Now You See Me 2)