I have been so cooped up lately from an immense amount of reading and writing, and as it currently stands, I am still not quite done with the present semester.  I have been reading way too much about Hegel, Kierkegaard, Anselm, non-classical logic (e.g. Graham Priest), Augustine, Hilary Putnam, and Saul Kripke to sink a boat.

It is with this perspective that I was very glad and thankful to have taken a break yesterday to watch my wife Tiana sing in the Martin Luther King Jr Community Choir San Diego at Balboa Park’s Christmas at the Prado.  As it was a busy time at the park, I had to park far away, but the vigorous walk in the chilly air to the Organ Pavilion was a welcome one, crossing through the initial stages of the park and the walking over the bridge that overlooks the 163 freeway through downtown.  It had been raining all weekend, and although at that time it was not raining, the dark and heavy clouds continued to threaten San Diego with another downpour.

After getting some vegetarian chili and hot tea at one of the booths, I sat down at the pavilion–front row!–just in time to hear the choir kick off the hour of praise.  It was a wonderful time with talented singers (like Tiana!), singing the praises of the Lord and retelling the stories of slavery in America with the hope of the prevailing freedom of Christ.  Finally, as the last song begun, the sun began to shine through the clouds while the gospel choir rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus went into full swing.  It was far too appropriate.  Did they arrange how awesome that was going to be?

At the end of the semester, it is easy to lose sight of what is important amidst all the various commitments and busy-ness that we incur upon our own schedules.  (People who have seen my to-do lists usually freak out a bit in empathy.) But, I think we would go nuts if we didn’t make some time during these nutty weeks to take a walk, enjoy the weather (shine or rain), and make sure that we are remembering all those around us who are important.  It becomes especially hard when so many of our best friends have moved away for various reasons.  Moreover, at the end of the semester there are also plenty of extra parties to go to and things to attend that it seems like I have to say ‘no’ to the attempts that my local friends actually are making to include me in their lives. I know I do not do the greatest job of making the time for others, but I hope I am trying.

After the 15th, I’ll be gold.