Back in the days of Texas, Memorial Day always launched the summer season with what came to be known as "First Blast." That tradition eventually petered out (people move, pools are hard to come by), but it was sort-of revived today.

After a trip to the grocery story and a nice morning swim, a couple of co-workers and some of their friends came over for a cookout and time in the pool. It was an interesting group: four people I did not know. Two were nurses. One was a language person. The other is pursuing the philosophy of religion. Then I found out that one was from Arkansas and that her husband was a Belmont grad (same as my Mom and Dad). So it was an interesting, how in the world did you end up here kind of afternoon.

So now it's the end of the day and I'm giving On the Lot a second chance. The "preview" episode wasn't that exciting for me. Tonight, though, they are showing one-minute films from the 18 finalists. . . and they are pretty interesting. I'm amazed at the different styles. I'm also amazed at how they got Carrie Fischer and Garry Marshall to do the show. The fact that they bring in simple concepts like "have a beginning, middle, and end" is refreshing.

I've put The Weight of Glory aside for another Lewis collection: On Stories. In the essays included in the book, Lewis talks lot about books and stories and what thinks makes them "work." It's funny. In one essay, he talks about the differences between story-telling with words and story-telling with images: "There is death in the camera." Can't wait to share that one with the school's film teacher.

I have a friend who once said that we live our life in fragments.

If that's the case, today would be a nice cut-off point for the last four years.

I had the chance to speak at our senior baccalaureate today. I've known about it for a while and have been thinking about what to say for a good while. I finally felt like reflecting on Jesus' last discourse with his disciples was the way to go. At about 2:45 this afternoon I started to panic, thinking that the topic was too serious for the time. Still, God, I believe, blessed everything. The kids were active and responsive. I feel like I got the point across. And I got to pray with my kids one last time as a group. Afterwards I was given some gift-leis by some students. Then some seniors "gifted" me with the leis they were given just before the ceremony. It was just like graduating (seriously). After that I had dinner with a friend and then went to a final musical concert at school that was really enjoyable. A good day. And a good time to put a period at the end of the sentence.

I'm not sure what tomorrow holds. I'm not sure what will happen next week or next month or next year. But the gift of the last four years and the culmination of things today was an amazingly good thing. God blesses me in spite of myself. For that I am grateful.

Now to get some quality sleep. . .

Tomorrow is the wrap-up of the school year for me. Got my grades in around 9 o'clock Friday morning. Said goodbye to my homeroom that same morning. For me, student stuff for this year is pretty much over. Heck, next year has actually already started for me. Yesterday I met with the new class council AND met with a new co-advisor for another group that I'm a part of. Tonight I was supposed to have a "working dinner" with some students that, luckily, did not happen. Tomorrow is church then baccalaureate then a final student concert that I need to go to.

The sermon hasn't quite come together yet, which is a little scary. I've already been through two drafts, and I'm just not finding the right balance. Like I said, tomorrow is the wrap-up, and I want to say the right things well. It's a matter of making it personable, really. So I hope to sleep on it and see where the morning finds me.

I finished rereading Lewis's The Great Divorce a couple of days ago and finally sat down to pick out some of my favorite lines. Funny, I had totally forgotten what they were from the last time I'd read the book. My favorite is:

"The saying is almost too hard for us." (Narrator)
"Ah, but it's cruel not to say it. They that know have grown afraid to speak. That is why sorrows that used to purify now only fester."

So now it's The Weight of Glory. I suppose I'm waiting until I don't have to go to school at all to get back to Michael Chabon. . .

How easy it is to wander when we find the Kingdom cramped. Streets are dead-ends. People are close-to-crushed and weary from work. We take whatever reason comes our way to see what is outside the gate, beyond the hills. Breathe freely some kind of fresh air, take in the open spaces.

Perhaps the Kingdom includes more than some cramped plot of land full of crumpled and plodding people. Maybe the borders go a little ways beyond the torch light on the watchtower. Teach us, Lord, to think and imagine and see what is real and really there. Let us unfurl the banner of your Kingdom in beautiful and open places. Teach us to use our discontent wisely.

Last set of favorite quotes from Till We Have Faces can be found here. Be warned: the quotes might give away plot points.