8-24-09
As you can see from the envelope, I've been moved yet again. I really resisted this move, and the officials at the Bachman yard did everything they could to keep me, but the order came from the Central Office for a mass movement (150), and there were no exceptions.
Once I could see that it was inevitable, I moved to an acceptance of it, and now I'm fully embracing it. This is a much better yard - more freedom, older fellows so it's more mellow, and better living conditions.
We all resist change, don't we, even if the change is for the better. It upsets our comfortable routines and forces us to face the unknown. It's as though life delights in taking us by surprise, tapping us on the shoulder and reminding us now and again of how very little we really know of all that is possible. If it weren't for the changes in our lives, though, there would be no growth.
I believe that to be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake, it often calls for us to be thrown out of the nest. This has happened to me many times, and though I cry out against it when it happens, being thrown out of the nest has left me more tender, more humble and even more grateful.
One of the best things about this move is that one of my closes friends, Dave Grammer, is here, and what a miracle it is to see him again! We were teaching together years ago on the Barchey yard when he was transferred and we lost track of each other. We're both former air force pilots, about the same age, and on the same spiritual path, so we give hope and inspiration to each other with our sharing. Hopefully, we'll soon be teaching together again on this yard.
Almost in spite of ourselves, we are most richly blessed, aren't we?
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