Light Lessons

It is your Light! The Light God gave you before you were born.
Be and become more of the sacred Light you truly are. It is your everyday magic!
LIGHT ON!

My very first memory was being gob-smacked with my own magic, when I saw the most astonishing Lights! Gold, silver, crystal! Bubbles! Bursting from a fountain! And I knew, they were real.

God works in mysterious ways.

Where was the magic? Little did anyone know, the magic was simply waiting… for new endings and beginnings.

On New Year’s Day 1947, Jane died giving birth to our son, Jesse Seamus O’Neil.

Her life ended just as Jesse’s began. Jesse! He has become the beginning of everything magical!

Not magic trickery. Oh no! It’s the real magic! It’s God’s magnif-amazing Light and His glorious, pure love.

We send this Light and Love to you on earth all the time. Like when you wish for… anything… and it appears. But you call it coincidence, luck, fate, or sometimes it’s just that shiveral feeling. It’s God, His Light, through us. Nudging you, awakening you—to your Light. God winks! It truly is your everyday magic!

And it’s not just for kids. Grownups love it too. Especially when the world is dark and upside-down. Then, how you long for the magic. To turn the dark into Light. To turn the world God-side up!

“Rule of Tongue: Let all the words on your tongue taste delicious.”

Don’t look back. You’re not going that way.

Dearie: “Our thoughts and words are real and powerful. Bad brings bad, good brings good. Pivot. Switch to my bliss-t thoughts. And Light On!”

Hendrik said the Shema blessing, followed by David’s translation: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One.”
David explained, “That means there is only one true God. And He IS—present tense!—He is our Creator! He never stops creating!”

Jesse’s Great-Great Grandmother, Lyla said: “God is never done! He’s fine-tuning each of us—and the universe—in every moment. He’s always present. Isn’t that breathtaking?”
“God’s Magic,” old Mac declared.

Jesse’s favorite prayer was to bless the children. All the men stood up, each placing their hands on the children’s heads. David translated Hendrik’s prayer: “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘This is how you shall bless the children of Israel: May the Lord bless you and watch over you, shine on you, and favor you. May the Lord grant you peace.’”

“Jesse, you know what to do about Dominic,” Charlie said. “Think of Tilly’s Bible quote: ‘Do not conform to this world but be transformed.’”

Charlie told Jesse: “Those Bible words are like your ‘Bliss-t List’.” Jesse sat up. “Yes, but I’m not sure I can find anything ‘bliss-t’ about Dominic.” Charlie harrumphed. “Fair enough. So, compliment the others at the table instead. Keep your Light on! Don’t hide it because of Dominic. Shine brighter!”

Holding the beautiful blue sea glass, Jesse turned to the Dorking boys.
“My mother, Jane, leaves sea glass on the shore, like gifts. When I find them, I know she’s saying, ‘Hello!’ I bet your mom, Francie, does the same.

Hendrik: “This is the heart of our Shabbat: the mitzvah of oneg Shabbat.”
David translated, “Pleasure of the Sabbath. We beautify Shabbat with the best of God’s world.”

Ben shot Dominic a warning look while Charlie spoke up. “This evening reminds me of Samuel’s words in the Bible.”
Lyla nodded. “Yes: ‘The Lord sees not as man sees but looks into the heart.’”
Charlie rested a hand on Dominic’s arm. “God knows your heart.”
Dominic sat still.

Grams fre_ed, “My hands are wringing like the washing machine. Oh, I’m nothin’ but a big bundle o’ worry.”
Jesse traced the spirals of Viola’s conch shell and reminded Grams, “Dearie would say worry only sits in a rocking chair, rocking back and forth, going nowhere.”

Jesse hushed, “Grams, you have your own Light. God’s Light.”

“Declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful Light.” ~ 1 Peter 2:9

PENCIL:
“First, every stroke you make leaves a mark.
Second, you can erase your mistakes and try again.
Third, what is important is inside you.
Fourth, you are created for making marks, and they come from your mind, your heart, and your soul.”
Fifth: “You will undergo sharpenings—sometimes painful. And you need to know: They always make you better.”
Know: you have your own gifts; never lose heart; fulfill your purpose; and let God’s Light steer you—through every mark you leave, on paper or in life.

Gabe looked into Jesse’s eyes. “You know how you actually see yer Lights? Well, me too! And the Lights are pink!”

You have to ask the two questions: What do you want?” Conor finished, “And: What are you looking at? If they don’t match, you’re not in the Light.

“Ah,” Gemma softened, “by the sea we forget to count the days.”

After the Regatta, Jesse explained his good spirits: “It’s my Light. God’s Light. I’m learning more about it. If you’re not in God’s Light, you’re in the dark.” He thought about Dominic’s darkness, adding, “And I don’t think it feels good to be there. I wanna be with God … in the Light.”

“I saw that wisdom is better than folly
just as Light is better than darkness.”
~ Ecclesiastes 2:13

Trapped in the overheated MG, a Light flared behind Jesse’s eyes. A voice whispered: Be still… Jesse, remember: Be still and know God. God is your refuge and your strength. — Jesse sat very still. He let himself float away into the stillness … the silence. In that place there was no heat. Jesse felt something lift from his shoulders, from his heart, his chest. He felt the Light behind his eyes fill him up. — He heard James again: Now Jesse! Get out! And Light on!

Watching Charlie share his broken heart with Mac, Jesse overheard Charlie tell Mac, “It … hurts.” — Jesse thought, Like pencil sharpenings … in your heart.

Ellie’s arched eyebrow silenced him cold. “Dominic, you fix what you break. And do it with a generous heart. That’s how you grow on the inside.”

Tilly, happily chimed in with scripture. “Micah said: ‘The Lord has told you, O man, what is good: to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.’”

— Ellie cut in. “Justice and loving kindness. They need balance, God’s balance. Without God and without balance, it is all chaos and disruption. You see it daily in your son, Dominic. He is a bully who faces no justice, no consequences. He’s not getting love either. Thus, Dominic feels no obligation to act with justice or love.”

— “Listen to this story,” Ellie settled at her desk. “Our basketball coach was a stickler for following the rules. One of the big financial sponsors to our basketball team brought in a new player—we’ll call him Dan. He was an excellent player but was breaking all the rules.

“The sponsor knew of the wretched family circumstances behind Dan’s behavior, and let him get away with every offense, trespass, and misdeed. He never held Dan accountable, never insisted on any consequences.

“The coach wasn’t having it. I still remember his words to the sponsor:

You’re throwing away our values, God’s values. Starting with the truth! You are letting Dan live a lie. The rest of the boys know it’s a lie. Lying is one of God’s Ten Commandments—right up there with stealing and murder!
You feel sorry for Dan. You think you’re being kind. But what are you teaching him?
For one: Lying’s fine. Everyone does it.
For another: It’s not your fault, you poor kid. So don’t worry: no consequences, just strut around feeling swell.
Then, what is Dan left with? He doesn’t know how to handle loss, or push through defeat, or earn what he wants. He doesn’t even know how to show up on time!”

Ellie took a breath and let the story sink in. Then she drove home her point: “No growth. No grit. Just feeling sorry. It’s kindness run amok. And there is no justice and law in sight. That’s not fair for anyone. Believe me, the prisons are full of it.”

“It’s not your job to make Dominic happy. That’s his job. He will be happy and proud of himself when he works hard and performs and succeeds by himself.

“That means: no back talk, and he’s always answerable for his actions, and he uses his own brain to figure it out.”
“Sounds simple,” Ben ventured, “but … ”
“It’s NOT,” Ellie finished. “It takes vigilance. You’ve started him working with you daily. Smart move. Plan ahead. Start with small, clear tasks. Make him repeat your instructions aloud, step by step. Think baby steps.”

Stuck at the front door of the Bay Tower Hotel, with the hurricane raging around him, Jesse panicked, What can I do? At once, he heard Charlie’s voice nudging him. “Jesse, keep your Light On!” He thought of Charlie’s Pencil Lesson: Don’t lose heart!

At school, Greta warned, “Jesse, don’t cross Miss Gado, she is a vitch!” — Matts turned, frowning, “Rule of Tongue: Let all your words taste delicious! Your words were sour. Not kind.”

Everyone moved out of Windy Hill, and Jesse saw that Gemma was sad. He perked: “Gemma, we gotta ask the two questions: What do we want? And what are we looking at?” — Jesse saw the turquoise twinkle in her eyes again. She was percolating something.

Gemma gaspered at Jesse’s gift of the framed “Spider Poem”. “Oh, Jesse! This poem! When Viola recited it, I felt hope rushing in!” A tear traced her cheek as she read, “‘Attach one silken thread to you for my returning.’” Her voice trembled. “Watching Viola today … I wondered … Oh, if I could transform and find peace like hers.”

“Transform, Gemma. Believe,” Jesse sighed. “Picture Daniel returning.” He heard Gemma sigh, and he perked, “Remember the two questions: What do you want? and What are you looking at? When they match you know you’re standing in the Light. God’s Light.”

“Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly Lights.
~ James 1:17

In the silence, Dominic whispered, “Tell me a story.”
In spite of himself, Jesse smiled, remembering Mac’s special way of beginning a story: “You just said the four words that ask for magic: ‘Tell me a story.’ And the four words that begin the magic are: ‘Once upon a time.’

Jesse finished up the Bible story of the four Hebrew boys and King Nebuchadnezzar: “One of the boys, Daniel, spoke, ‘There is a God in Heaven. I saw His Light—God’s Light. And I knew for certain: I was not alone. I was safe. And even more, I was loved.’”

Love, Jesse mused, a smile warming the dark. Softly, he sang his favorite song: “‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.’”

Jesse explains the Lights to Dominic: “My Dearie—my other grandmother—taught me,” Jesse said. “She told me, ‘You’ve got real magic in you. It’s the Light God gave you before you were born. God’s own Light.’ So, to keep God’s magic, you shine your Light. You BE the Light.”

Days and weeks rolled on, and Dominic discovered something. As if for the first time ever, he noticed things: like geese landing in the creek, leaves somersaulting to the ground, the moon rising over the bay, stars shining in the cold night sky. He liked it. Though he wasn’t exactly sure why. He only knew that life would never be the same.

Ellie twinkled. “Here’s something for free, Dominic. You chose the Light. YOU turned on your Light. And now everyone can see and feel your Light—but most importantly, you can see. It’s not dark anymore.”

Dominic (as Narrator of the 4th Grade Thanksgiving play): “So this isn’t the END …” All the kids shouted, “It’s the BEGINNING—of our one nation under God!”

Friday morning after Thanksgiving, Margarethe cornered Conor. “I vas wrong.” She twisted her button. “Matts vas born to sing. So, Conor, you help him.” — Conor wrapped her in a bear hug! “Thank you, Margarethe!” — “O– okay!” She sputtered, “Do your best!”

Jesse reflected. “Do you know what ‘serendipity’ means?” –Gemma answered, “A happy coincidence.”

“Yes,” Jesse countered, “but Dearie said there’s no such thing.” — Conor nodded, “James called them divine winks—God winks!”

“Well, I got a wink!” Jesse beamed. “Today’s dictionary word is ‘serendipity.’ It means,” he took a breath, “finding what you’re not seeking. Get it?” — Gemma frowned, “Nooo.” — “I do,” Amanda interrupted. “Gemma, you’re so desperately seeking Daniel. It’s all you think about. Maybe when you’re not seeking him, you’ll find him.”

“Just trust God,” Jesse urged. — Tears swarmed Gemma’s eyes. “But I miss Daniel so exceedingly. The clock is incessantly ticking, and another Christmas draws nigh without Daniel.”

“Think, Gemma!” Conor interjected. “You were never seeking treasure! Yet riches chase you around like mad. God’s got a plan.” — “But nothing– ” Gemma began. — “Only God creates something from nothing,” Jesse interrupted.

Amanda infectiously cheered, “Christmas is swooping in like that oscillatin’ barn rope!” — “Oscillating,” Conor mused. “Highs and lows. How ‘bout this, Gemma? You dive high into Christmas festivities, and you can’t brood low over Daniel.”

Jesse smiled, watching Gemma singing—thriving! She was really trying to choose joy!

Jesse watched Gemma singing in the choir, and the serenity wrapped around him. With God, nothing is impossible. He felt Gemma’s dream percolating.

Jesse moved to sit with them, and Gemma hushed, “I have seen it. How God waited for Dominic to say, ‘Yes.’ And when Dominic finally took God’s hand, oh, how happy he became! Carefree and brimming with Light.”

Jesse nodded, “Dominic did a big pivot.”

“Yes,” Gemma’s lips curved gently. “I want to pivot too. I know I must choose God’s Light. Choose to turn my Light on!”

Jesse’s eyes softened. “With God, nothing’s impossible. All you have to do is say, ‘Yes.’”

Amahl’s tale untangled itself through hard-earned lessons about telling the truth and not stealing. The story swelled toward the glorious miracle of the ending … with the star shining over everything and everyone. — Oh, it was grand!

Rob’s smile widened. “You see? Music and storytelling—the tuning fork of the soul, resonating within us! And like Amahl, transforming us to become our higher selves.”

Jesse shook his head, “Dominic, we gotta picture Tilly happy! Like when she and Ben announced having their baby. Remember? — Truly, sending Tilly God’s Light is the only thing that helps.”

Rob Dana: I married Jessica, my ‘always’ love, but she died very early in our marriage. This ring is my pledge to cherish Jessica always, even if only in our memories.” He sang faintly, “I’ll be loving you always …”

Two words fluttered in Jesse’s heart: Be still. — He closed his eyes and sat very still. When he felt the faint winter sun on his cheek, he opened his eyes. A beam of so^ sunlight was glimmering on Rob’s sapphire ring. — No coincidences! Jesse knew: Rob Dana is Daniel Roberts! Gemma’s Daniel! For certain!

Speak the truth in love. Jesse lowered his voice to a loving hush. “Daniel, your Jessica is alive. And she’s been missing you … exceedingly. She still loves you. Big-time.”
— “No,” Rob’s jaw tightened. “Jessica died.”
— “No,” Jesse insisted. “That was a terrible, horrible mistake.”
— Rob swiveled, looking into Jesse’s eyes. “You’re serious!” Shocked, his face haggled between disbelief and hope.
— Jesse nodded, heart pounding. “God is joining you to Jessica—for real.”

Jesse pulled back from Gemma, and in the white flurries of mystical snow, he looked into her eyes, sparkling with turquoise. She looked so … beautiful … so radiant. — “Gemma, God is here!” he choked. “Right here! Believe! Your dream!”

The snow wrapped around Jesse and Gemma like a coat of white magic. Jesse marveled, Like Joseph’s rainbow coat! Joseph’s dreams!

In one stride, Daniel took Gemma in his arms. –
– Daniel, holding his dream in his arms.
– Gemma, in the arms of her dream

Jesse leaned into Lyla. “I … my heart … hurts.” — Lyla held him in her arms. “Yes. I know. It was the same for me. When my husband, Charlie, rescued me from that convent prison. After so many years and years there, my precious dream came true … and I could hardly bear it.”

Lyla kissed the top of Jesse’s head. “You see, Jesse, today, Daniel was going to meet Gemma anyway. But God needed you to pave the way in Love—to Light them up, so they could truly see each other

“Jesse, you let God’s Light guide you. A Light so bright … so gorgeous … such pure Love—your body and your mind can’t catch up.” She took his hand. “As you say, Jesse, it’s wonderlush. And now … you don’t want to let go.” — She cupped his cheek. “God is sending you back, Jesse. Here, where you belong now. You don’t want to go … but you have to come back.”

Jesse choked, sobbing. Lyla held him tenderly. “God is still here, Jesse. He will help you find new dreams. And His way will be filled with Love and Light … and laughter! God always has more waiting for you.

Tilly whistered a prayer, “Dear God, if Thou be near, we know Love is close at hand.” She looked at everyone. “Oh, yes, God is here! Hallelujah!” — “Hallelujah,” the table quietly reveled.

The church was packed, and Jesse was startled to see the thin woman and the big fat man—from his hurricane escapade in the “Bucket of Blood.” Smiling at one another, Jesse thought, God gives every one of us His Light! Everyone!

In the deep darkness, Father struck a match, lighting the white center candle of the Advent wreath. “This is the Christ candle,” he intoned in the deep shadows, “for Jesus, the Light of the world!”

Jesse’s heart pounded with the trembling lights and the powerful music. And he saw a new Light … shining in the eyes of baby Jesus … the Light of the world! Jesse thrilled with it.

In clear, bright harmony, they sang together of this holy night, the shining stars, and the glory of Jesus’ birth … the notes, mounting up, rising ever higher, soaring into the rafters! The whole church lost its breath as the carol climbed into the Divine … with the angels! The majesty of music! In the thrill of Hope!

“The stars … !” Awestruck, Daniel’s voice broke, overwhelmed. “My God!” — Yes. God. His majestic Lights. Hundreds, thousands of Lights, whirled around them like a celestial dance, pulsing like beating hearts. Jesse’s heart sang as he marveled, “God gave us these stars. All this Light. God is here.”

Jesse felt Gemma and Daniel wrapping him in their arms. It was Jesse’s turn—in the arms of his dream. — He smiled, murmeling, “With God, nothing is impossible!”

Looking up to the moon and stars, Jesse thought again of the church candles— the Light in the darkness: “Jesus … teaching us to love… teaching us what love is made of.”

Below everyone stood motionless, wrapped in the glorious, shimmering moon and star light. Jesse felt it, holding everyone —in a communion of Love and Light.

Once more, the night throbbed with stillness. Heartbeats softened … breath-mists hushed … into the serene, deep silence. — Jesse looked up to the stars. “God is still waiting,” he murmured. “Waiting for us to take His hand. To say, ‘I love you.’ To say, ’Yes.’”
— A smile broke across his face, “Yes! Ohhh, yes!”