2009 04 17

Brothers and Sisters,

The Sunday Morning Church of ATTENTION

           This Sunday we are attending our youngest grandsons’, Gage Arthur Smith*, first birthday party.  You only get one first birthday, but as grandparents this is our third first birthday, and it is what the Church of Attention is about, Celebrating life!

           As I ponder the seven hundred mile pilgrimage to Vancouver, Washington, and remember the other first birthday’s, and have been reminded by my son, of my own tenet that no should ever miss a first birthday party.

What will we bring?

What gifts to the new Magi?

What have I learned from the past?

How best can I appreciate his gifts of attention?

What message will Grandpa Gary share with Gage?

What message will Gage share with Grandpa Gary?

Dear Buddi’s we will do dyads. We will sit, I as motionless as possible, belly breathing in rapport with Gage, maintaining eye contact and we will find each others core, our soul, our essence, the lordly presence we all share. We will let the excitement and distractions of the day capture our attention. Gifts, toys, big sister, other grand parents, mom and dad, cake and light, colors, sounds, sharing the distractions and focus of celebration. Encouraging the enthusiasm. Practicing presence and playing.

AHA, Grandpa Gary’s best gift, to play. I play well with others. I play the games where we all win. From the simplest peek-a-boo where we hide our attention and then surprise each other with a blast of attention. Playing ball, holding the game of sharing the ball, with the thrill of needing each other to play.

So The Sunday Morning Church of ATTENTION message is to play. With a child, with a mate, with a friend, with the celebration that is life.

Namaste        Gary