Providence

Sometimes a "wee" vacation is just what the doctor ordered - and while I am not aware of any immediate need of a doctor, we were both in need of some rest and away time from church - and Providence, RI was a delightful retreat. We wandered through the streets of the old city - Benevolent and Benificent Streets - marvelling at the restored Federalist homes. We found GREAT cheap Middle Eastern food - I ate goat for the first time - explored the classical and contemporary art at the Rhode Island School of Design art museum and visited old book shops, too. In a word, it was the perfect time away: quiet, surrounded by the arts and lots of interesting people (when we wanted to visit) as well as lots of sleep and conversation.

We've been friends and lovers for 15 years so this was an anniversary of sorts - a blessed way to mark our ups and downs - and return thanks while renewing our connection. And is the fresh seafood in Providence a treat!!!!!! OMG!

After marking our together-time, we thought we might find a place to go dancing. We've been in the beautiful Berkshires for 14 months and STILL have not found a place to go dancing. (NOTE: in Tucson we went out at least once a week to a beloved little dive known as the Chicago Bar but apparently New Englanders are more inhibited than their friends in the desert Southwest because we have yet to find a place to really rock out!)

Our first venue in Providence turned out to be an upscale dump for the VERY young Goth crowd - not my scene although I appreciate the kids verve - so we wandered into a very funny and rude novelty shop before getting up our courage to try a place call "Silvio's." I had visions of Tony Soprano dancing in my head... and when we finally made our way into the club... it was too funny. Lots and lots of folks dressed like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever aching to get laid. They were having fun and dancing pretty well but... there was this ancient "radio personality" who was so far over the hill - and without a funny bone in his body - that it became painful. We got to dance one shake your booty number -"Some Kind of Wonderful" - and cheered for the local women in a twist contest before deciding that maybe the Lord doesn't want us to dance anymore! Or else start something locally because it was just too weird.

Today we wound our way home through Eastern Massachusetts with craft fairs and little country church bazaars and shared lots of conversation and pretty autumn leaves. As I was getting ready for sleep last night, I came across these words by Frederick Buechner that touched me last year but then were completely forgotten. They are still good today especially in light of our away time:

Grace is something you can never get but only be given. There's no way to earn it or deserve it or bring it about any more than you can deserve the taste of raspberries and cream or earn good looks or bring about your own birth. A good sleep is grace and so are good dreams. Most tears are grace. The smell of rain is grace. Somebody loving you is grace. Loving somebody is grace. Have you ever tried to love somebody...

The grace of God means something like: here is your life - you might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It's for you. I created the universe. I love you. There's only one catch: like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift, too.

I am grateful for the grace in my life that Dianne has shared with me - and give thanks to God.