Friday, July 11, 2008

Dear God,

I couldn't go to the pool today because my health wouldn't permit it. I'd wither into a pool myself. But the cousins got together. Not possible a long time ago. But there they were...Jill, Jenni, Noele, and Angie and their children, the next level of cousins coming to know and enjoy one another so much. Although I couldn't join them, I did whisper prayers of thanksgiving.

The coming together of a family long separated from one another is a remarkable and beautiful thing. The wonder of it all, the surprise of released angers and disappointments making it all possible without even knowing it was happening makes it all the more awesome. Everyone had something they were upset about. But somewhere through the years it appears the harborings were released, let go, surrendered into the universe, into your hands where you transformed them into potential possibilities. All that opened new entryways into our spirits where silently we longed for one another. We wanted to return to days of joy, of fun, teasing, laughter and sharing.

The events of the last months have been leading to this day. One cousin has moved to our town. That means her sister and two brothers and mother will be coming to visit. We'll see each other often. My own daughters are thrilled to have their family back. Everyone keeps saying, "Wasn't it wonderful to be together?" And now around the neighborhood pool, they sit sharing their lives, remembering, making a future. And I am left to pray in gratitude.

Angie, Noele,
Jill, Jenni,
Lexi, Zach,
Gabrielle, Lucy, and Rylan,
Sophie and Stella,
they don't even know
they are evidence
of your presence
in the world.
They sit unobtrusively
in the sun,
chatting away,
laughing with one another.
Healing, reconciliation,
grace, joy, and peace
sit today
around the pool.

You are so wonderful, Andrea