The Great Pumpkin

Dear Great Pumpkin,

I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents. Incase you were having trouble deciding what to bring, I've included this short list with with explanation --

A glimpse of a raining and cold morning at Minnetonka Orchards.

Six short days after your arrival, the people of Minnesota, and across the country, have some big decisions to make; decisions that have the ability to create a greater disconnect between my brothers and sisters. I stand in the complexity of being both hopeful and fearful of what is to come. As a straight, white, educated female, I've never had to face the reality of what it would be like not to have my love between my partner and I recognized by the state or being turned away at the polls when I arrived ready to have my voice heard. The big gulp in my stomach is enough for me to know this is not right. So, Great Pumpkin, I ask that you challenge my brothers and sisters to see the imageo dei in one another. Because as we look to our neighbor as less than being created in the image of God, we, at that very moment, begin to reduce a redeeming and loving God who has created us all in God's very image. And may I, and my friends, continue to be challenged to have these hard conversations.

Great Pumpkin, I sometimes call myself a reverse storyteller. I do tell my story from time to time, but I've found great joy in listening to the stories of others, so it is with deep saddness that I report that many of the stories I have heard recently come with deep saddness and frustration. I wish I had the ability and power to change the emotion of those closest to me, but I understand that that is out of my power. May they be surrounded with healing and comfort as they continue to struggle and discern. And may I continue to be both aware and present in their lives.

And lastly, Great Pumpkin, if you could give me space to create I would greatly appreciated it. I do not mean a full-time studio with a new complete set of acrylics, although I would not refuse that gift, I mean finding time in my life to create. I sat down the other day to create only to find myself frustrated knowing these moments have become scattered and rare. Please challenge me to take time to create and explore with many different medias. 

Great Pumpkin, I understand that you must get discouraged because more people believe in Santa Claus than in you. Well, let's face it; Santa Claus has more publicity, but being #2, perhaps you try harder.

Everyone tells me you are a fake, but I believe in you.

Hearts and Stars,

Sandy K.

P.S. If you really are a fake, don't tell me. I don't want to know.

Direct quotes are in Italics and taken from Charles Schultz's It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.