Sat in October-one month out from the divorce

Next week it will be a month for the divorce to be final.
The first month of the rest of my life.

I have been working 2 part time jobs as a Chaplain for hospice.
I like my second PRN position in that the team is very small and we meet once every two weeks and cover our 15 patients. I am hoping to be able to retire in January 2009 and work less.
This hospice reminds me of my years working in Blacksburg Va to start a hospice there.

I continue to look to change my living situation. Very difficult to pursue alternative housing in Chicago. I can't get a hold of the person who manages "House sharing" for the City. I really would like to do that.

I am busy with the preparation for the ordination of 4 women as Roman Catholic priests and deacons which will take place November 1 in Chicago. I cannot believe that we have only October meetings to go! 2 to be exact. Right now it looks like about 250 folks will attend. A nice congregation.

I am busy with the planning of a March for October 11, the anniversary day of the authorization for Bush to go to war in 2001. I feel so sad as I approach the 3rd anniversary of Jason's wounding in Iraq, October 14. Being part of a march for peace brings comfort for my grief. It is so hard because Jason has not talked to me for almost 2 years. So all my memories of him are those at Walter Reed. I have no memories to replace those days, each one a year of my life, at his bedside praying that Jason would live. As I type, I cry, it is okay for it means that my heart is tender with love for my only son and all those injured in war throughout time.

I am human, I can feel the suffering. I dedicate my life to ending war. I will speak for peace at DePaul University on the 20th. Telling the story of my activism, another way to heal the grief. To put out the call for others to join me in healing the world of war.

At the same time I am trying to finish the "financial transfers" required by the divorce. Of Course, Dow is doing nothing to finish the process. He hasn't gotten a loan for 1/2 the condo, while I gave him a quit claim the first week of July. Dow hasn't gotten to me a life insurance policy that provides me with maintenance should he die. I haven't heard anything about 1/2 of his retirement funds. I found I can't change my name on one of the accounts. I have to have a special medallion approval from a banker. I went to the bank...not so fast, she needed a copy of the account on which I would change my name! Back again I must go next week.

Also have a meeting with the SS folks to see how much I would receive under Dow's credits if I retire in January. I know my life style must change but I sure do like the freedom I have!

So...the divorce is still not over with all this paper work hanging out.

I will go to a fall gathering of the Corpus priests and their wives tomorrow way out in the suburbs. It is good to be with folks who followed the call of the Spirit in their personal lives. It gives me courage to follow the Spirit Sophia in my own.

Blessings everyone.