Weird and Wonderful
Years ago, a highly educated friend of mine told me she thought that “weird” had become a verb. The world is certainly weirding today with war, climate change, rogue AI, and other menacing malfeasances. We seem to be doing our best to destroy ourselves. This isn’t the Halloween kind of scary when ghosts and goblins are welcomed with candy and, at least in Greensboro, with grilled cheese sandwiches. That kind of weird is wonderful.
As I ponder turning 76 this month, it occurs to me that we could play a little trick on time and choose to rewrite the Declaration of Independence to make it a Declaration of Interdependence. The Great American Experiment needs refining after 250 years of practice. We could care for our planet, welcome new citizens, and feed and heal all our global neighbors. This sounds like a treat to me!
My personal experience has proven repeatedly that the more I considered diverse perspectives, the better informed my choices have been. One common question I am being asked in interviews about Defining Grace is “What do think makes Vermont special?” I always mention Town Meeting. It’s interesting to note that Town Meeting, traditionally held on the first Tuesday in March, is currently the subject of a hotly contested conversation in Vermont. Which format includes more voices: in-person meetings with floor votes, Australian ballot votes, or some form of hybrid?
Speaking of voices, I enjoy hearing from readers about the ways Grace shows up in their lives. Some are saying that by telling my personal story, I am giving them permission to consider that their encounters with Grace may feel weird but in a wonderful way.
Many readers hear long lost loved ones speak to them from the grave. Halloween can be traced back to ancient Gaelic rituals of Samhain when the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds was believed to be most thin. The day after Halloween is All Saints Day. Grace shows up with love, sometimes tough love.
Other readers are reflecting on the uncanny coincidences they have experienced. Grace can show us what is possible, even if we think it is improbable, sometimes before we even think about it at all. It never occurred to me that I could be in the Founders Circle of the Obama Foundation as a child growing up in a Republican family. Grace has shown up for me with Her weird and wonderful Divine Mischief for 76 years!
Defining Grace Book Event at Shelburne Farms
Friday, October 23 at 2:30 in the Coach Barn
I’m thrilled to announce that Shelburne Farms and The Flying Pig Bookstore are hosting an afternoon conversation with me about my recently published memoir, Defining Grace: Showing Up with the Gift of Divine Mischief, on Friday, October 23 at 2:30 in the Coach Barn.
Robin Turnau, former CEO of Vermont Public and Chief Advancement Officer at Shelburne Farms, will lead the conversation.
The event is free. Shelburne Farms is encouraging registration in order to welcome you warmly and to give the Flying Pig an idea of how many books to bring to the event. Books will be for sale and signing. If you already have a copy, bring it along!
Check my Events Page for upcoming events and for links to previous podcasts and recordings of past events.