Uphill idealist

Over the last several months, I've been practicing the art of taking into account what really matters. Through a variety of circumstances I think I've become more open to embracing beauty in each moment. Thankfully, there is a little person in my life that helps me with my practice, my grandson O. At the age of two years, O has already helped return me to a place of playfulness when we spend time together. From acting out stories with his Dr. Who action figures and dueling with toy light sabers... we play ALL DAY! O has also helped me to slow my pace a bit. He takes note of little things that I used to miss - like cool turtles in aquariums, kettle corn stands, and stopping to look at what is creeping along a nature trail path - because he's aware enough to notice. The sweetness O shares with me is more than cotton candy and cookies. (Yes, there is cotton candy and cookies.) But his sweetness is a gift that lasts longer than any treat that can be bought. O'...

How often is it that a ten year old boy says to his great aunt, "I want to be baptized. Will you baptize me?" Earlier this summer my great nephew Eli asked me this exact question. His question came on the heels of he baby brother, Atticus, birth. Days passed, but Eli would not forget his question about baptism. He got the ball rolling and kept it going until October 11, 2015. This story gets even better as Eli continues to ask for what he desires and requests my husband Ian and I to stand as godparents for himself and Atticus.  We were honored. We said yes! The day arrived. The Eastman and Sullivan clan arrived in full force. We were so proud, of Eli's desire to be called a child of God and carry his three month old brother to the waters of baptism with him. This was a day to treasure - and remember. Elias Robert Eastman and Atticus Joseph Sullivan  are publicly and forever children of the water. In Gratitude - Auntie Vic...

This weekend we had a chance to hit the road and head to  SUNY Purchase  to visit our son for Family Day. The round trip was well over 800 miles in two days but was filled with some lovely Autumn colors and topped off with a lovely stay over at Doral Arrowwood . Cheers to two days with my two fellows and time to hit the road with time for a family adventure.

Today was full of familiar songs, joyful clowns (literally), parish fellowship and an afternoon of witnessing the hands-on caring of people at a funeral home visitation for a church family. It's hard on these kinds of days to be apart from loved ones. I see families assembled. I hear their stories and laughter. I feel the closeness of this space and long for my family, their stories and hearing their laughter. But just yesterday I heard their laughter in my ears. It was just a moment ago. Time in its wonder has a way of tucking pockets of love in tesseract folds. In a moment I'll unfold a moment and we'll all be together. In that moment I'll tuck away tears and hold fast to the music of the laughter that is ringing - in real time- in my happy ears.

Tenderness is something much needed in the world today. We think we need to be tougher, stronger, and more independent. But the truth is... we need each other. Yes we might make each other crazy at times, we won't often agree, and we all need moments alone to recharge. But, as a norm - people need to be with other people. I'd like to even suggest, that people need to be with other people to practice the art of relationship building and relationship I think relationship building requires tenderness. My grandson Owen asked to hold his brand new baby cousin Atticus at our Labor Day Picnic today. His mamma (my daughter) helped him hold him carefully and as he stared at this tiny one month old infant, he was overcome with tenderness for him and kissed him. We all gasped.We teared up. This loving display, "got us in the feels".  We were proud of this busy two-year old Owen showing such gentle intention and care for little Atticus. We all saw how...

Saturday shuffle. Child wrangling. Appointment keeping. Long nap cuddling. Blustery wind pressing. Accidental Halloween Parade mixing. Soft pretzel sharing. Youngest son's film screening gathering. Pizza noshing. Rice cereal and lavender baby bathing. Latte sipping. Laundry sloshing. Homework nodding Living room piling. This flick or treat is delighting. T. L. Eastman  October 2013

This yellow leaf,  once was green with promise. It was connected, nourished, and alive. Hints of the fall were all around: Crisp evenings, rushing winds, and shorter days. But this yellow leaf fell in silence.  There was no sound as she surrendered to the swirling water. Her story was not collected, heaped up or leaped into. She twirled,  calmly, quietly and silently; so as not to cause a stir on the surface. But the space she left behind was deep, wide, and shouted of her absence. Yellow leaf had curly raven hair, ice blue eyes, fair skin and freckles - that showed themselves when you stood close. Silence should not claim your life. So today, I shared the story of your death and the dream of our goodbye  that gave me hope to keep on living. Yellow leaf,  no more will you float in silence. You should dance on the wind,  swirl dramatically into your favorite wood, and be swept up over and over again:  for leaping,  laughter...

At age 22 I didn't have a clue but had my husband and baby too. Lived inside an old business school, which was really cool and big too. My heart was full of optimism, energy and hope. Drove a used Omni car, it got us here and there; but not too for too long by far. I did what I could to love my baby, husband as I best could.  My friends were so close: next door, upstairs and a stroller walk if I needed to see them and should. Now at 42 I know enough to say I probably still don't have a clue. Living in a house full of life and promise and time. I drive my days and hope to stretch them to last just a little bit longer and fuller. How about you? Doing my best, knowing I'm blessed and thankful for grace to start again. My heart is open to what's just round the bend and beating with the hope that brought it to life way back then... at  age 22. How about you?

My family is from the "Burgh. Even though my parents moved from the area before I was born, some Pittsburgh-isms moved with us. When we'd go home to visit - the accent, speed and intensity of talking would amp up. I would come home from visits with a sprinkle of "Yins" and "Warsh" peppering my vocabulary - as well as increasing my talk speed by a 25% minimum! Earlier today I came across a Youtube page called "Pittsburgh Dad" - if you are from the "Burgh" - I'm sure you'll appreciate this series. For all my Aunts and Uncles these clips remind me of - thanks for the memories and don't forget to red up the room before your have company over! Yins best check it out - it's a keeper if you as me!

(Nigel - Fall 2011) You are the gift that arrived into my life fifteen years ago today. You tried to arrive early, and once you encountered all that fuss, you decided it best to hang out where you were comfy until the last possible moment. But when you arrived, you wasted no time all. When you came into the room, you were bright, alert and unexpectedly calm. As your Dad held you in his arms for the first time, I called your name. "Nigel, hello there. It's good to finally see you!" At the first mention of your name, you turned your head and eyes to meet mine. There was an audible gasp from the medical staff in the room. "He turned his head and looked right at you!" Everyone was impressed with how clever you were, even at that very tender age. People still are impressed. They love your spunk, your concern for those in need, your depth of thought and yes even your sometimes-snarky sense of humor. You are a gift that we did not deserve, and yet here you are. Thank ...

Recently, I received a email from my cousin Adriane that contained an old family photo. In this photo, (from left to right) is my sister Heather (14), me (age 10), and Adriane (3-4). This photo was taken in May at my Grandpap and Grandma's home in Irwin, PA. At the time this photo was taken, I was and probably getting excited to head to Burton Ohio for summer camp in July. My sister. Heather, was 14 here. There is a great deal of emotion tied to this photo, as the summer of 1981 was the last full summer of her life. She passed away from heart problems the following summer after years of struggling with her health. While the context and story behind this photo are bittersweet (this is possibly the last photo of my sister and I together), the beauty of finding it after all these years makes me so thankful. Thankful for Aunts who save old photos, cousins who scan and send them in emails and the love of my family. This photo has jogged my memory and helped me to recall a very happy and...

I have this shelf in my office where I collect trinkets, photos and notes of encouragement. Many of the items are gifts from youth or adults that I've had the blessing of getting to know in ministry. Earlier today I looked up to the middle of the shelf to see the words - trust in God. I don't know why it seemed different today, but the words seemed to be saying they were capable of caring for everything and everyone represented in my shelf/and wall collection. I like that - very much. I really needed to be reminded that God can be trusted with the concerns on my own heart as well as all the lives that touch mine too. Holding on to "trust" and G-d. PS. When I posted this first picture, more youth/young adults from my church took notice of my shelf/wall and started adding to it as well. This is just one more way for me to pray for and entrust more of who and what I care for to G-d. To be continued...

(Myrtle Susan Rain around twenty years of age.) Dear Grandmother Rain, You're son Gary gave me this photograph of you a few years ago and I keep it on my shelf in my office. I don't know very much about you except that you passed away after and illness, when my Dad was about three years old. Dad(Gary) has very strong feelings for you and to this day will get misty when he shares those early-childhood memories with me. Years ago, I'd meet some of the great Aunts or Uncles when we'd make a trip to Pittsburgh for a reunion - and they would comment on how I resembled you. Dad always says I looked a great deal like you and from the photograph, it's easy to see that we have a close physical resemblance. But I wonder if we are similar in any other ways? I've wondered if you liked to read or paint? Did you like to talk as much as I do? Were you a writer as well? By the strong connection Dad has with you to this day, I know you were (and are) a greatly loved Mom. All his...

I'm very much looking forward to this Labor Day. Each year we have a slam dunk of a picnic at my mother-in-laws home, and this year is no different except that we are also plotting a surprise celebration my our daughter's graduation from high school. The decorations are gathered, the special photo cake is ordered, and some special guests are ready for the party to begin! Heather is heading the college later this week, so we wanted a chance to have cake, balloons and an honest surprise before summer's end. Here's to hoping the surprise works out well! You're life is all ahead of you Heb - soak it all in, shake off what dosent' suit you and be yourself. You are beautiful and bright - inside and out! We love you. Mom and Dad PS. The surprise worked! Thanks to everyone who helped make this Labor Day/Grad Party great!

This summer my church hosted a women's small book group that turned out to be anything but small! Over four weeks, forty-one women met and discussed Margot Starbuck's book - "Unsqueezed". The group was so popular, that I will be helping folks catch up on the discussion in a fall study group. Very soon, Margot's third book, "Small things with great love", will be published - and our group will be off and reading something new, challenging and fabulous yet again! In the meantime, we'll be doing some review and looking into the idea of "Doing justice, loving mercy and leaving our pews with the purpose of justice and mercy on our lists of things to do! If you would be interested in joining our women's fellowship - this is a inter-generational group of women (senior high ladies thru senior ladies!), please email me for times and dates at eastman_tara@yahoo.com

September 2010 They change so fast, they move so swiftly, their ability to adapt is really quite nifty. They once were so small and now have grown tall - my daughter, my son - my heart - my all.

As I'd mentioned, I've been loving and living in the sun as much a possible the last few weeks - including spending last week at LCLC working with Confirmation Camp. What a great week! This week, I'll be on vacation and spending some much needed time resting and being "with" my family. We may even take in a museum or two as well. Have a great week, hope your 4th weekend was wonderful and see you soon. Tara Lamont PS> We just got a new digital camera, so I hope to show you the further tan development of Summer 2010! (Don't fret all, I still am using sunscreen!)

I'm not a very good waiter. No, I don't mean the fella dressed in black with a crisp linen towel over his arm - but that probably wouldn't work for me either. What I mean, is I'm no good at waiting for news, when said news involves the people I love. On Sunday afternoon, my Dad called to tell me he is having heart problems again. Thirteen years ago he had a serious heart attack, and now his aorta valve is not working properly. So today he has a heart cath and later we will know when his valve replacement surgery will be. Most likely it will be late this week. I wish I was with my Dad today. He lives a ways away, I work at a church and it's holy week - that is what I think the busiest time of the church calender and schedule. I have waves of - it's only a simple procedure today and waves of "Hey, this is my Dad we are talking about." Later this week, I'm planning on singing this song for Good Friday service...and today these words seem to fit perfec...

Image from Epicurious . I wake up to see the time on the alarm clock and sigh happily as today I don't have to rush to get my feet on the floor, so I roll over for another hour or two of dozing. Easy does it bundling up. Two layers of track pants, two layers of gloves, a scarf and a wind breaking parka should keep the cold away on this bitter cold but sunny morning. Running down the street, crunching snow under my feet, leaving cloud puffs of my warm exhale behind me. Wandering through the too-quiet grocery store still filled with staff stocking shelves and filling produce bins. Chatting with folks I know as I wait in line while thinking what will be on the menu for today. Cleaning out the fridge to fill it with all the goodies I can't wait to eat. Coffee brews. Bacon sizzles. The home fries are getting crispy and brown. Eggs create a tasty variety of dishes as I take the requests of my household. We all sit together and listen to NPR playing "This American Life" as...

Image found at kecute@wordpress . It doesn't have to be the full turkey and trimmings kind of meal, but I do love a good stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. I especially like how preparing a big turkey for my family can catch me a few days break in the dinner category. Turkey dinner is a nice way to gather a crew of people, have some tasty leftovers for a few days, and make the house smell so good when you come in the door. Maybe I'll cook a turkey as a wind-up-the-holiday tradition from now on. Here's to favorite things and the blessings they mark in our lives.