Looking For Calm

Hours fly,
Flowers die:
New days,
New ways:
Pass by!
Love stays.
Time is
Too Slow for those who Wait,
Too Swift for those who Fear,
Too Long for those who Grieve,
Too Short for those who Rejoice,
But for those who Love,
Time is not.
– Henry Van Dyke

Perhaps I am naive to think that if we “loved more” the recent tragedies in Beirut, Paris, Kenya, Syria, Charleston, Afghanistan, Oregon to name only a few wouldn’t happen or maybe with less frequency. Would we be safer on the streets, subways, in churches, mosques or temples, stadiums, parks, and schools if we did? I believe with my whole heart that living a  hopeful, courageous life, speaking our truth and loving well can be remedies for isolation, fear, anxiety, sadness, despair, loneliness, sickness, grief and violence. I have attended two memorial services in the last couple of days. One for a friend who recently lost her mom, Leslie Farrell. The above poem was shared in her memory by her young granddaughter.  The other for a dear woman, Constance Azzi, from my church who became my friend in recent years and was a friend to many. Constance’s grandson spoke eloquently about what his “Cece” meant to him. How she carried herself in the world with courage, dignity and grace until the final moments of her life and her battle with cancer. She was a faithful servant of God and in his words, “she lived unconditional love.” How do people love well when they have lost a loved one to suicide, are enduring cancer, experience war, violence, drugs, cannot afford health coverage for their family, do not have adequate child care or have experienced a devastating accident? How do we continue to live lives of generosity when we feel as though the cards are stacked against us? Cece’s grandson shared that his grandmother was as grateful on her good days as she was on her bad ones. She saw the good in every situation and interaction and despite being very sick, she continued to reach out to those she knew well and those she did not. She was intentional about her interactions and made it her prerogative to gather often with the people she loved. And in turn they felt the love that exuded from her. She loved and believed deeply. I am grateful this day and each one moving forward for having models like Constance and others like her who have made love their single greatest priority.  I have seen these folks cast a glimmer of light on a world that, on some days, seems to have been overtaken by darkness.