The Occupation of Sleep

A couple of weeks ago one of my professors gave us the following instructions for a discussion post.

Share something about yourself, your family or friends that to the outside world would look unusual. It might be a ritual, routine, a saying or "way to do something". How do you think what you describe could be interpreted by someone assessing you or your family? 

Since I think I'm rather normal I asked my housemate what I do that is unusual. Her immediate response was, “You go to bed at 8:00.” I can protest that I go to bed that early because I get up a little after 4 so I can get to work by 5, but in reality I’ve always valued my sleep. I come from a family where we often say, “It’s after 8:00 so we can go to bed now.” Some friends in college tried to get me to pull an all-nighter. They soon gave up realizing that sleep was far too important to me to do something so foolish. A few years back a New Year’s Eve party with some extended family ended at 11. We were all tired and figured it was the New Year on the east coast so that was good enough for us. More recently my brother set up a time to chat with his girlfriend online one evening while he was at my parents for Christmas. His girlfriend told him he should be spending time with his family to which my brother replied, “Don’t worry, they’ll all be in bed.”

Hopefully someone assessing me (or my family) would realize that we are just morning people. However, some people think I need to loosen up a bit, have some fun and realize that life won’t come to an end if I don’t get 8 hours of sleep. Others might assume that I lead a rather boring life. My early morning work schedule definitely has cut into my social life, but that is temporary. I do look forward to the day when 10 pm is bedtime instead of 8.

This week we read about the importance of sleep. We spend almost a third of our lives sleeping which may seem like an incredible waste of time. But if we don't get enough sleep or good quality sleep, it affects everything else we do. My housemate may think it odd that my family goes to bed so early and takes naps if we need them but I am thankful that I sleep well.

And now it's time to get to bed so tomorrow my brain is ready to study for a Tuesday morning test on the brain.

Celebrating Mary Pat

Last Thursday I attended Mary Pat's memorial service, a friend of our family for the past 30 years. She knew she didn't have long to live so she had planned her own service. A violinist played demonstrating her love of classical music. The tables were decorated with colorful balloons reminding us that she wanted this to be a celebration because she was now home. She chose the scripture passages that were read and the songs we sang. She had wanted to record an explanation of John 3:16 but it didn't work so a friend read exactly what Mary Pat had written - and it sounded just like her.

The tributes told of a fun-loving aunt who came every holiday and had a way of making you feel so special. The people from her church remember her as the lady who wore a hat, whether anyone else did or not. She was the one who loved missions and young people. (How many people over the age of 80 are known for the love of teenagers?) One of the women from her church said she had no idea that Mary Pat had traveled so much. "She didn't want to talk about herself. She wanted to hear about me and my children." Among those present at the service was a large group of women a few years younger than Mary Pat. She had mentored them while living in a discipleship house run by the Navigator's. They remember her as the woman whose love for Jesus was contagious, who taught them to study the Bible as well as how to cook, clean, and fold sheets. Stories were told of her spirit of adventure that took her to China in her 70s and of her love for Jesus that renewed her inner strength even as her body became more and more frail. As she had been an example in life, she became a great example of how to die.

As I listened to the tributes and reflected on what I knew of Mary Pat, I was reminded that I do not need to fear the future or wonder who will help me when I become old and frail. Like Mary Pat, I have no children to fill that role. Instead I have something far better: the promise that, It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8). In the end Mary Pat had several friends who helped her in so many ways. They were all people she had loved and given herself to and they were more than happy to give to her in return. As one of those who spoke said, "When I grow up, I want to be like Mary Pat."

Strength and dignity are her clothing, 

and she laughs at the time to come.

Proverbs 31.25  

Simple things mean a lot

 As I look back over what I've written in the last couple of months I realize that I haven't mentioned one of the most significant events of the semester. This particular story starts at a Graduate Christian Fellowship (associated with InterVarsity) meeting in February. The topic of conversation was how we could have a greater impact on the campus. As we talked I realized that grad students have some very practical needs but other grad students have very little time or energy to help meet those needs. It seemed the one thing missing from the conversation was the church. As a result, I wrote an email to my house church (small group) leaders and gave them an idea for a way to meet a practical need of the 24 people in my cohort. In our particular program, we are on campus one or two days a week from at least 9 to 4. I have written before of the pressure we all were under and how overwhelmed we felt. I felt like I was seeing my classmates age before my eyes. The idea I had was to have a few people bring the noon meal (that wasn't pizza) for the whole cohort. It seems like a small thing, but when you are feeling overwhelmed, not having to think about a meal makes the burden lighter.

Anna loved the idea and three other women volunteered to help. We chose a date which turned out to be the most intense week of the semester and they made three different kinds of chili and cornbread. Sarah also brought along some "brain food" like trail mix and raisins that we kept eating for several weeks. I told the class via our Facebook page that some friends from my church were bringing the meal the following Tuesday. The response was overwhelming.

• That is the nicest thing ever.
• When I saw your post I just cried. They don't even know us.
• You have some amazing friends. Thank you for sharing them with us.
• That was such a treat. It was the highlight of my day.

It was a simple thing. Sure it took some organization, the time to make the food, loading up the car, bringing all the bowls, plates... and a trip to campus. But it meant so much. Personally, I felt very loved. And a few days later I felt even more loved when I was given two grocery sacks of frozen homemade meals in individual serving sized containers. I didn't have to think about my lunches for the rest of the semester. It was wonderful! I do have some wonderful friends and I am glad to share them.