Pyper Delilah Graham is Born

I want the world to know: Our beautiful baby daughter Pyper Delilah has arrived safely into our lives. She was born on the thirteenth of January, according to divine plan, in beautiful perfection, much to our deep gratitude and joy.

Like Angels

Suddenly, a choir. Singing Deck the Halls. Outside the dark living room window. And sistas, I mean, singing so beautifully. A choir that would have made Clement Bethel and Pauline Glasby proud. I would have loved any carolers, the raw-boned, hollering kind I would have gratefully welcomed in these hard times. Any group of folks generous of spirit so, creative and cooperative and connected so, having spirit enough to gather themselves together and go sing-up Christmas for strangers, I have to love them. Especially now, when money is tight, and fundamentalism is dividing the neighbourhoods with hatred, and all are on guard against violent crime. We opened the door, lit a torch, gave a donation. They were all wearing Santa hats. They sounded like a choir out of Dickens. Perfect harmonies, soaring tenors. Our son asked, "Are they singing for us?" Yes, they were singing for us. We were the only household on the street that opened the door, not one of the neighbours turned on their lights, come out to receive this rare gift of a classical Christmas choir on the doorstep, none came out to give to a Christmas fund for the poor, none were inspired to take some enjoyment, sing along, offer a cup of tea... Fear will do this to people. As for me, I thought it was a cosmic moment, a sign and a wonder, a message from the World of Spirit. Saying quite literally, go ahead and deck the halls, try Be Happy, celebrate, give. Do this to actively resist the fear, to transform it into something like good living. Then, the choir was gone, quick as a vision, leaving us feeling a litle stunned, a little altered. That was two nights ago, and I am still wondering about the choir. Who were they, what church did they say they belonged to? I cannot remember, and I want to. I want to invite them to return and sing for us again on Solstice night. Strange, the way they appeared and disappeared so suddenly, like angels...