I wept.
I wept three different times today Once early this morning when the reality smacked me in the face and rushed to my gut I looked into the mirror and the truth I saw in the reflection of this country crippled me I wept. I looked into my children’s eyes and shared the news What world have we created for you What runs through your minds and how does this shape your gentle reality I wept. For my friends, family, students, strangers I passed today in silence – for each of you who are pounded down by violent words, relentless attacks and gestures of hate Today all those words were amplified through the megaphone of 59,611,678 votes It is deafening I weep and hold each of you in my heart. I think about each of your individual struggles and yearnings to carry on. Each of you who are filled with fear, targeted for being you I weep. I will continue to weep. I need some cleansing I am so sorry. We have failed you. Please forgive us, please forgive me. I am so sorry. You are loved. Louder than my weeping, I scream – you are loved, you are wanted, you are needed, you are beautiful. My hope is that you feel some ripples of love because I know love will overcome. Through the tears I will continue the mantra of love. Our voices will be heard – steady as the drum and beating of the heart. You are loved, you are wanted, you are needed, you are beautiful. But tonight, in solidarity, I continue to weep.
4 Comments
We gather to eat our meal
Six-year-old hands do all they can to refrain from digging in Impatient wiggles in chairs as slow-moving parents bring last morsels to the table Finally we all take our place Hands linked Brother and sister holding too tight on purpose Mother and father reaching out gently and firmly The tradition is engrained All know the drill Proclamations of gratitude are spit out No need to take turns All that is shared peppers the room with insight into the gratitude within Thank-you’s for sunshine and salt shakers and family and puppies Sometimes someone even remembers a thank-you for the food, the sustenance that brings these hands all together Then one sardonic, quick-witted soul states in exasperation “Thank you for everything and everyone, AMEN.” Can it be over already the son pleads through his prayer I am done with this Enough already Everyone giggles at the finality this brings to the evening’s moment of gratitude Eating ensues until all are satiated Unaware at how pivotal this prayer will be At meals to come all thoughtful proclamations of gratitude are cut off Disrupted by the youngest one’s need to move forward The magic phrase that halts all other inspired words “Thank you for everything and everyone, AMEN.” Done. Silence. Emptiness. It doesn’t sit right It is a manipulative way to keep from deep gratitude Mother and father shift their weight Battles to deepen and expand this ritual seem hopeless The words feel like face slaps of insincerity Until One evening, beaten down by the hectic dance of the day We gather to eat our meal Tired hands can barely hold on tight enough Elbows sit on the table holding up exhausted beings Silence for a moment Then a sincere, steady, sweet voice says “Thank you for everything and everyone…” More silence. Hands are clasped a bit tighter as if to freeze this moment in eternity It is complete It is enough There is no need for more The simple inclusivity embraces us all It wraps the angry politicians into our space It encircles the bruised oceans It remembers the lonely prisoner It celebrates the bountiful love shared It honors the ancestors from long ago and of recent past It calls to mind the neighbor battling cancer It leaves no one and nothing out Our hearts expand in gratitude Our simple prayer draws all in and holds it for a moment Just long enough to settle in our souls Only the heart of a six-year-old could be large enough to create space for gratitude this evening that includes everything and everyone And for that, I am grateful. |
AuthorSome times I write. Even less than "some" times I share what I write. For those moments that I write and want to share I have done so here. Archives
December 2017
Categories
|