Sunday, February 8, 2015

Dearest God,

One person's tragedy/victory can open doors to hope and faith for another.  I know; I watched it happen on retreat.

One woman shared her deep sadness that she had never been able to establish a close relationship with her mother; yet, she was privileged to have been the one to stay with her mother the last days of her life in hospice care.  At the memorial service she shared the woman's story and a conversation she had had with her mother years before when she asked her mother to share a life-long dream she had carried.  "I always wanted to be a Radio City Music Hall rockette." Her mother shared.  "Who supported your dream?"  The daughter inquired.  "No one, so my dream died."  Her mother responded.  At the memorial service the daughter offered a liturgical dance in honor of her mother, God, and herself.  Sadness turned to joy.

On retreat following the worship service, a retreatant with tears in her eyes came up to the leader and thanked the woman for sharing.  Then she shared her own story of estrangement and a gentle holy moment when her mother simply patted her on the arm.  The leader and the retreatant put their arms around one another for a long, big hug remembering and recalling how simple events can become holy hope and faith.

Holy and Wondrous God,
thank you
for rich,
beautiful moments
that arrive unexpectedly.
Thank you
for caring
so deeply.
Thank you
for healing,
hope, and faith.

Love always, Andrea