Shadows of Grief

Excerpts I

 Settling In

And so I lift the yoke

carefully, lovingly,

and with some effort

place it smoothly, firmly

on my waiting shoulders;

where I straighten it

slowly, respectfully

until it feels

balanced and bearable

wearable and terrible

and I lift my neck

my eyes to God

above me

see God around me

know God is in me

and I limp

back to

my

life.

Lively 2009

Coyote's Only Cry at Night

 

Vincent Van Gogh said, "The best way to know God is to love many things," and I think that, too. It is also said, "To be vulnerable is to be human at the most profound and enriching level," and I also believe that.

Practicing these beliefs is a sometimes painful way to live in this unfair, often harsh world, but I have found it to be the only way worth anything. The rest is an empty shell.

Without love, we aren't living at all, but rather only stumbling blindly in the dark toward nothing, in a barren, lonely world. To know love is to know God and illuminate the darkest moments. Staying connected to others is the key.

Trusting, loving, daring to reach out to others and to allow them inside, connects each of us to the Living Vine of Christ, the richest of all sanctuaries. I thank God every day for all those with whom I have connections. You each pour out love like rich, red wine into my parched soul.

In the end, love is all we take with us from this world. And all is enough.