What a month we've had. Around the middle of July, our beautiful daughter, Amy announced her engagement. The wedding date? August 20th! The next few weeks of my life were a whirlwind. Invitations, pictures, dress shopping, flowers, crying, cake, laughing, frustration, arrangements, more crying, more, and more. Right smack in the middle of that, was our long planned trip to Oregon for our family reunion. We seriously considered foregoing our trip, but decided we needed to be there, as our family was in the midst of coping with an expected death. The wedding was 5 days after returning home from our trip. On Friday, the day before the wedding, we received a phone call. My husband's brother, Kenny had passed away. Kenny was only 53. He spent this past year battling an aggressive form of colon cancer. We realized his time was short, but still it came as a shock. There was no time to grieve – not yet. We held the news at arm's length from our hearts and stayed busy to pull the wedding off. The day of the wedding was a roller coaster of emotions – deep gratitude and love for all of my sweet friends who helped and supported me through it all, anxiety, happiness, and yet mournful. The whole time I went through all the motions of coordinating and directing and yet it felt surreal. After all was said and done, the wedding was lovely and I am quietly happy for my daughter, her husband, their new love, and life together. (pictures) A short week later we found ourselves on a flight back to our home town, Portland, Oregon – for the memorial service for our beloved brother . . . and the tears came. Our hearts still ache for his beloved wife and children.
What is in a memorial that can bring healing? We too, as a nation recently experienced a memorial. We witnessed the raising of the 9/11 memorial that has been erected for the for the mending of hearts that were broken.
Many of us have met with major life experiences this past year. Whether we like it or not, we are all dealing with loss in various ways/levels based on events surrounding us throughout the world and in our very own homes. Wars, economic downturn, and violence are constantly brought to focus as we watch and listen to news broadcasts. Love and trust are destroyed through selfish, thoughtless acts as we step out of our mindfulness of others. We can not help being affected by these events that unfold across the world, because we are all connected in such a deep way that most of us are only barely aware of. We are all coping with loss in various forms: trust, safety, uncertainty, fear, worry. We can no longer allow our children to play freely without close supervision. Our doors must remain locked. We must be cautious about who we trust.
Let me share one of my favorite quotes with you. I am unaware of who spoke these words first, but I heard it from my teacher. It's profoundness sank deep into my heart: “Peace is not the absence of chaos.” What is that magical balm that restores our hope even amid the wake of chaos? Love. That love can begin within you, even as a small spark of hope that ignites. It will begin to burn ever brighter as you share it. Restoring hope and peace. Love is the one thing that will grow bigger the more you give it away. It will literally fan out and reach across the world touching each and every soul that draws breath. There is no need to accomplish some great feat. A smile, a touch, a kind word, a listening ear will do. When love seems absent, stand out under the great blue sky, open your arms, turn your face to the sun, and breathe in the beauty of it all. Open your heart and say, “Thank you.” There is the simple beauty of that which could solve the troubles of the universe.
I want you to know that each of you touch my life in a profound way. As you share your life stories with me, I am aware that you too have encountered loss and grief. You have also met with joy, celebration, and accomplishments. Carry on my friends. May we sustain the memory of loved ones who have continued on in their journey and honor those who remain. Live each day like it is a gift, come what may – each moment precious. There is love and healing in the universe. Step out into the world in a circle of mindfulness and love each day. Namaste~
