I was reminded today about how cruel life can be at times. I often don’t want to look at it…the desperation and need that I sometimes see doesn’t fit into my comfortable, well-ordered life. It makes me feel uncomfortable… alongside of what I often see inside of myself. Indifference to the suffering is easy but facing the reality that they are fellow humans can often be messy and demand something of me. It means I must change. Life is filled with eruptions, and contractions, heartaches and sorrows even when I try to shield my eyes and plug my ears… I still see and hear. And when I allow the emotion to take root, I am moved by the strange sensation of feeling and caring… from the sadness and pain, love and hope can grow. With hope comes strength and action and the knowledge that my life can make a difference.
I want to believe at this special time of year that my life can have purpose. I heard a Rabbi say once that we shouldn’t be concerned with going to heaven when we die but rather how we can bring heaven down to earth while we live. Eternity will take care of itself. I’m beginning to realize the real winners in this life are those who desire to leave their corner of the world better because they have lived. Nothing grand but simply caring enough to be kind and show love.
I’ve decided I want to go into this new year with my eyes wide open. I want to see the world around me as it really is and do what I can to repair my small corner in it
There are beautiful stories of truly great humans all around us. Some are famous but most are not. My cousin passed away this past month. He spent a good many years of his life caring for his wife who had had a stroke. She passed away a year ago. This past Spring he fell and broke his neck. He became a quadriplegic. When I visited with him the week before he died, he told me how he met his wife and how from the first moment he saw her he knew she was the one. (Married over 51 years.) He talked about his kids and his face lit with pride. Not once did he mention the stuff he had acquired but only those he loved. Trapped in a body that didn’t move he smiled, laughed, and got teary eyed with emotion as he told me he was ready to go. I asked him what I could do for him, and he told my visit was enough, A simple answer that opened my eyes to what matters most. We long for someone to care and see our pain. I left our visit with a sense of peace and my eyes open.
A life well lived is not about the money made but about squeezing every drop of life you can by loving and being loved and when you’re finished to leave the legacy of love behind you to those who knew you. Well, done!
