Michael E. Maulbeck, age 66, of Parsippany, NJ, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 5, 2021. Mike graduated from Oratory High School in Summit and for many years, he was an office clerk with the U-Haul company in Saddlebrook, NJ. However, what he is truly remembered for is his “Presence”. Michael was generally not theContinue reading “Remembering Mike”
Category Archives: Life and Death
Core
My core was compromised – a stomach hernia required repair. Every movement exercises the core and the operation made moving hurt. All movement was painful but prone was the most challenging. Three to five days of recuperation became three to five weeks of restriction. Indeed, it was unpleasant and the healing task daunting. The elasticContinue reading “Core”
Baptism
John calls, Change our ways and make straight the Way. Jesus wants to join the narrow Way… He answers the call. He asks the brazen John to baptize him – a rite of passage – to begin his ministry But John is humbly hesitant – the pain of change… the path would not simply straighten.Continue reading “Baptism”
Source
God goes as water flows… Life lives as water gives It starts with a drizzle becoming helpful rain, which saturates all the plain. Excess and melting flow to moisten and irrigate – drought to mitigate. Thirst is completely quenched all beings truly slaked taken care of and staked. Water purifies deeply… a washing essential cleansingContinue reading “Source”
Standing in the Stream
“Knowledge knows that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad”[1] Knowledge is knowing that righteousness is doing the right thing, Wisdom is loving with whole mind, heart, and soul. Life has often been thought of as a journey, and we imagine it as a path or road. Suppose itContinue reading “Standing in the Stream”
Manna
Despite my crankiness, I am nourished by manna, and today, I have happiness. “When they measured it… the one who gathered much did not have too much, who gathered little did not have too little.”[1] Grumbling and grumpiness are expected. Still, complaints are heard and prayers answered, but misuse will spoil the gift and ruinContinue reading “Manna”
Prepared
“Fire… aim… ready” is a disaster, so, too, is assumptive planning. If the change includes forced cramming, it’s impudent just to be faster. I begin at ease to get ready – measured response with focused calm makes easy effort without qualm and allows for change to be steady. I circle the target and take aimContinue reading “Prepared”
Eye of the Beholder
Youth is wasted on the young speaks an oft-told separation between undone and being. Undone relates to the heart being identifies age – both are unfulfilled and real. The former embraces trust the later lacks some judgment – both encounter change and chance. Bounded by space and time, the young get old regardless and thenContinue reading “Eye of the Beholder”
Off Button
It is important not to run out of time, and I realize for that to transpire, I must be willing to make time and take time. It comes as no surprise that to find new ways, require me to remain undistracted, and most importantly to re-invent ways. Unprepared leaves me uneasy and anxious, Protracted, though,Continue reading “Off Button”
Mindfulness
Reflection is in solitary – wholeness for the self. Transcendence is for community – oneness in the other. Exploring the darkness despite fear… expectantly waiting. Imploring the lightness for respite peace… without demanding. Contemplation centers – twisting and turning mind and body. Rumination rounds – pushing and pulling soul and heart. “Oops” affirms accountability andContinue reading “Mindfulness”
MaddogPoetry 