As the news showed the images
of the devastation of the midair crash in DC
followed by a jet crash in Philadelphia two days later,
my heart ached for the lives that were cut short,
and for their family and friends who were
entering a nightmare not of their choosing.
Having lived through the sudden death of my husband,
the life I knew was altered, unrecognizable
as my heart lay on the floor, shattered.
No longer could I see the tragedies of the world
as numbers, but as individuals whose lives
would never be the same again.
For it was in my awakening from the searing pain of grief,
that I recognized all of humanity is intertwined.
That we are meant to be with each other,
holding each other in compassion.
I couldn’t sit on the sidelines
in the face of others’ pain,
whether it was from the death of a loved one
or other losses caused by unforeseen life changes.
I knew I couldn’t take away their agony,
but I could share the gifts I had,
hoping to bring some comfort,
no matter how small.
Tag: compassion
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We Are All Connected
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The Seed
An Ode to My Parents
The seed was planted, watered, and tended with love.
With the warmth of the sun, it was allowed to grow.
The sower’s voice spoke gently, encouraging it to blossom
With petals full of love, stretching out to the world.
It watched the gardeners’ example of gentle compassion
As they walked along the flowerbeds,
Treating each flower, whether thriving or dying,
With dignity and grace.
For they knew that the flowers’ beauty must grow from within
If it was to brighten creation once it left the safety of the bed.
The sower released the flower to humanity once
All the wisdom had been bestowed upon it,
Allowing it to spread its seeds to all it touched.
