Thus Do We COVENANT!

[scarymustache]

I am going to begin this entry by saying this: I am still at work.

Then, I want us all to consider this word: Hellacious.  It's a real five dollar word, isn't it?  Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines it as either

1. Exceptionally powerful or violent
2. Remarkably good
3. Extremely difficult

Now, I don't know how this happened, but it did - my day has been extremely hellacious. I mean that, in every conceivable meaning of the word.   My day started off the way most of my Sundays start off: church.  Today I finally got around to trying out that Universal Unitarian church. The only one I know of in Flagstaff is located north on Leroux, with a late service that starts at eleven in the morning.  Once again, I supposed Providence moved, as we came just in time for the Flower Communion.  (And by "we" I mean I actually assembled a team for this trip: Zack Maximilian Mulcahy, V-ness, Jess, and Adam.) Everyone was so friendly and welcoming at the UU church...which I sometimes find highly unsettling.  I also noticed every one of the women there had a very sensible haircut.  The...pastor? Preacher?  (Um...lady with a sensible haircut and loafers?)  Well, whoever she was, she was very nice.  During this special UU occasion, she related the entire beginnings of the...church? worship?...(pretty house with flowers!?!)  The story of how the entire UU deal (spirituality? religion? way of life?) started was actually pretty moving.    No, there really wasn't a mention of God or any faith in particular.  There was an emphasis on social justice and conscientiousness. And...well, love.  (Note definition #2 of hellacious. ) I can see how and why my  Tween would recommend I try it out: my entire life is in ode to the wonders of Love.  Not just romantic love. Not just love for your family and friends. Just love.  I love every single second of my life and I send love out every single second in a million different directions.

So, it made sense.

But the funny thing is, that's what I didn't like about this church.  I don't know how to effectively articulate what it is I am trying to say here.  It's just that...when I step into a house of worship, with a bunch of real believers (doesn't matter where or who), I get this feeling.  And it's something so....powerful. (Note, definition #1)  It's something that brings tears to my eyes.  It's something that makes me thank the Universe for every single day of my life.  It's something that makes me feel loved.  Somehow, I didn't feel it so much here.  I agreed completely with the basic ideas presented in the UU church, but...there was something I didn't....feel.  But when I looked out the window behind the pastor, I saw the wind blowing the trees in front of a beautiful blue sky.  In that moment, in that thought, I felt it.  (Note, #1 and #2.)  And then, like a gentle breeze,  the same thought that I have every morning while looking out my window floated through my mind-

Oh my God, I am so happy.

Every morning, when I look out my window.  And that thought feels like a warm embrace, I don't know why.

The rest of my day was largely spent at work. We checked in two groups today.  The shift before us neglected something very important which affected our drop. Then something went horribly wrong with the luggage service, which made our shift extremely difficult.  (Note, #3 of hellacious.)  We had to call both the AGM and the GM for advice on the situation.  And then the night audit was late...by at least half an hour.  And I was alone.

The night audit ran out for a pack of smokes.  I have been at work for about nine and half hours.   But I can't stop thinking of my window.  Tomorrow I am going to wake up, and the sun will be shining.  And I'll see the trees. Maybe they'll be blowing in the wind.  I'll lay in the bed that I've slept in for the past two years and look out the window at that same trees that I've been looking at for two years...and I will be thankful to God for every single second of it. Then I'll go to the job I love and work with people I love and do something that I sometimes (but always try to) love.

Today, my friends, was extremely, utterly, undeniably hellacious.  (See definition #2.)