Enough

With a 'bun in the oven,' it is even easier to wax philosophical, it seems. To what kind of life will we welcome Project Little Luecke (PLL, or just P for short)?

My nephew, who turns 2 in about week, already seems to have a great attitude, at least as implied by his musical preferences. He often asks for, and instantly recognizes, Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life." Even strapped into a car seat, Iggy Pop gets his head bouncing and legs kicking!

I don't know much about Iggy Pop, but I think that Jesus might have hung out with him. After all, Jesus summed up his purpose as coming so that we may have life, and life abundant. I hope that we will welcome P into a family that has a tangible 'lust for life'...and 'life abundant.'

But I worry sometimes that a healthy lust for life can turn into a lust for more. 'More' is just so enticing. If something is good, more of it must be better, right? If things aren't so good now, more of something would certainly make it better, right?

I ran into a poem this morning that had a ring of truth to it. Though the title seems like a downer, somehow in the context of thinking about new beginnings, it seems oddly appropriate:

As Death Approaches
by Susan Deborah King

I can't believe I'm laughing!
I'd have sworn I'd be
shaking or sniveling.
And I sure didn't expect
a limousine.
I've never been in a limousine.
No biggy.
I've had better than fame.
Who needs the pressure?
As for fortune, I'm filthy.
That's why I'm laughing.
I've had so much love:
the giving, the getting.
It's shameful.
It's embarrassing.
And it's too late.
No one can take it away!
And I've had the pain
to help me appreciate it.
Thank God for the pain!
Easy for me to say
now that I'm going!
But no, seriously,
the kicks in the teeth,
the gut, the rugs
pulled out, slammed doors,
setbacks, snubs.
Without them, I'd
never have recognized
Love, bedraggled,
plain eyes shining,
happy to see me.
Do I want more?
Of course I want more!
I always want more
of everything: money, hugs,
lovemaking, art, butter,
woods, flowers, the sea,
M&Ms, chips, tops, bottoms,
trips - I did give up drinking -
time, sure, and yes,
I'd like to see
my grandchildren,
if there are any.
I'd like to see my books
but more has never
been good for me anyway.
Enough - that's what I've
always needed to learn,
and is there a better way?
So this laughter
I had to work up to
through so many tears,
it just keeps coming
like a fountain, a spray.
Let it light on you
refreshment, benediction,
as I'm driven away.