“I have a theory that movies operate on the level of dreams, where you dream yourself.” —Meryl Streep.
My granddaughter, Zoe, and I have been having a date for many years on Friday afternoon to watch old movies. I wish we could swim together or stroll in the woods or walk down some of Little Rock’s beautiful trails; but my physical disability makes that too difficult. However, we can curl up in the king-size bed in our master bedroom, all lights out, each covered by our favorite blankets, while we eat popcorn and watch movies. We have seen almost every musical made. Occasionally we watch drama, and less often, comedy. One week Zoe saw, for the first time, Some Like It Hot. I forgot to mention that Zoe is going into the eleventh grade, and usually I get permission from her parents for her to see certain movies. We usually talk a little about the movie after it is over. Sometimes there is much to talk about; at other times, very little.
In the past I have shown her paintings from my favorite art museums, and rarely have we read poetry together. There is so much grandparents want to share with their precious grandchildren. Mostly, however, it is just about the pleasure of being in their presence. I have learned to drop everything I am doing and be with her if she sends a text about a possible movie date.
This movie date has become for me an icon of what prayer time may be about. I think there is some built-in homing device through which both we and God yearn for each other’s presence. Prayer is occasionally words, but mostly presence. I think God longs to share God’s experience, God’s amazing world with us; but mostly God longs for our presence—just as there is a conscious, and maybe even a stronger unconscious longing in us just to be in God’s presence.
Joanna joannaseibert.com
Release party!!!!!!!!!!!
Come and get a signed copy of the new book
Just in time for the holidays
A Spiritual Rx for Advent Christmas, and Epiphany
The Sequel to A Spiritual Rx for Lent and Easter
Both are $18
All Money from sale of the books goes either to Camp Mitchel Camp and Conference Center in Arkansas or Hurricane Relief in the Diocese of Central Gulf Coast
Seibert’s, 27 River Ridge Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72227
10 to noon, Saturday September 14, 2019
RSVP joannaseibert@me.com