Most of our lives are lived in the middle of routine. That is certainly not bad. In fact, my routine life is very good. I cannot claim it is an emotional high---exciting day after exciting day. I enjoy my life. I have been given much more than I ever will give. I have learned the meaning and lessons of grace. Grace is a gift. I have learned to recognize small gifts, which come from people and from nature---things I see as gifts that others might not consider anything special.
Apparently in our day, the word “blessing” is not seen as a useful, preferred word. I am not sure why. I still find the word useful. It seems to me there is no other way to describe what happens to me when I am gifted except to say I have been blessed. I suppose I could bless myself, but essentially I see a blessing as something that comes from without. God has blessed me; friends and strangers have blessed me; and nature certainly has been a blessing.
And so it was in the midst of routine that I received an email. It was authored by a friend, whom I don’t see very often. She is one of those people whom I would even call a good friend, although we don’t see each other very often. But that does not seem to matter. When we connect, it is good and fairly deep. So I was glad to hear from her.
Sadly, her message was not good news. The husband of a good friend of ours had died in the middle of the night. The widow I know fairly well. She used to be a colleague of mine and was part of a group I lead at my university. The group meets for the entire year, so I was with her week after week for a few years. I had heard countless stories of her husband. And now he was dead. And he leaves a twelve-year old daughter who probably wonders why her dad did not wake up?
When I got the email, naturally I was quite saddened. I did not know the guy very well, but I was sad that my friend has been thrown a major curve ball in her life. Last night was the time to go to the funeral home visitation. I’ll spare you my mixed feelings about open caskets, etc. What I contemplated, as I joined the long line which was a parade to the grieving widow, my friend, was what would I say?
Her job was not an easy one. Person after person came to her and said how sorry they were. Soon that would be me. What do you say? If it were not so sad, I would laugh. I am one who basically deals all day long in words. I am fairly articulate. Yet, as I approached the widow, I know there were no adequate words. What do you say? “Sorry?” That is a puny word for a profound occasion. I could add an adverb: “very sorry.” But that’s little help.
Fortunately, I knew the power of presence would outweigh any impotent words I might utter. And she will never remember exact words, anyway. I took solace in the fact that just being there was the best thing I could give. Maybe I can be a momentary gift. Perhaps in some unknown way I can even be a blessing. Who knows, maybe God can use me as an instrument of an early stage of healing. There is no pride here. All I am called to do is to be me. Who I am has a history with the widow. So whoever I am to her, I become that---and more---in the moment.
As I neared the widow, I prepared myself. I did not rehearse the words I would use. I trust the words that would come out of my mouth. What I prepared was how I would be present to her. As we engaged each other, she simply called me by name and we embraced in a hug. In fact no words were exchanged. We embraced in what I would call a moment of poignancy. Poignancy is an expressive word. It means to be “deeply affected.” Often it is linked to pain or sadness, so it was a good word for the situation. Typically, poignancy is felt rather than thought. It is a heart word.
In that moment of poignancy, there was no need for descriptive words. But I was part of a parade of people and the moment of poignancy had to give way to the moving reality of folks behind me wanting to be with her, too. So we shared some words and assurances that I would be there when the funeral was history and everyone in her life returned to their normal lives.
I think this was the guarantee of that moment of poignancy. It is the residue of the power of presence. I did not make promises and, I'm sure, she did not expect promises. I doubt that verbal promises would be remembered anyway. In one sense the only promise I made was friendship, which we already have. I don’t know what specifically it means, nor does she.
All I know is I gave the only gift I know to give in that moment. It is to give myself. Others have done it for me. In a moment of poignancy the power of presence is the most amazing gift that can be offered. And it is always a blessing.
Apparently in our day, the word “blessing” is not seen as a useful, preferred word. I am not sure why. I still find the word useful. It seems to me there is no other way to describe what happens to me when I am gifted except to say I have been blessed. I suppose I could bless myself, but essentially I see a blessing as something that comes from without. God has blessed me; friends and strangers have blessed me; and nature certainly has been a blessing.
And so it was in the midst of routine that I received an email. It was authored by a friend, whom I don’t see very often. She is one of those people whom I would even call a good friend, although we don’t see each other very often. But that does not seem to matter. When we connect, it is good and fairly deep. So I was glad to hear from her.
Sadly, her message was not good news. The husband of a good friend of ours had died in the middle of the night. The widow I know fairly well. She used to be a colleague of mine and was part of a group I lead at my university. The group meets for the entire year, so I was with her week after week for a few years. I had heard countless stories of her husband. And now he was dead. And he leaves a twelve-year old daughter who probably wonders why her dad did not wake up?
When I got the email, naturally I was quite saddened. I did not know the guy very well, but I was sad that my friend has been thrown a major curve ball in her life. Last night was the time to go to the funeral home visitation. I’ll spare you my mixed feelings about open caskets, etc. What I contemplated, as I joined the long line which was a parade to the grieving widow, my friend, was what would I say?
Her job was not an easy one. Person after person came to her and said how sorry they were. Soon that would be me. What do you say? If it were not so sad, I would laugh. I am one who basically deals all day long in words. I am fairly articulate. Yet, as I approached the widow, I know there were no adequate words. What do you say? “Sorry?” That is a puny word for a profound occasion. I could add an adverb: “very sorry.” But that’s little help.
Fortunately, I knew the power of presence would outweigh any impotent words I might utter. And she will never remember exact words, anyway. I took solace in the fact that just being there was the best thing I could give. Maybe I can be a momentary gift. Perhaps in some unknown way I can even be a blessing. Who knows, maybe God can use me as an instrument of an early stage of healing. There is no pride here. All I am called to do is to be me. Who I am has a history with the widow. So whoever I am to her, I become that---and more---in the moment.
As I neared the widow, I prepared myself. I did not rehearse the words I would use. I trust the words that would come out of my mouth. What I prepared was how I would be present to her. As we engaged each other, she simply called me by name and we embraced in a hug. In fact no words were exchanged. We embraced in what I would call a moment of poignancy. Poignancy is an expressive word. It means to be “deeply affected.” Often it is linked to pain or sadness, so it was a good word for the situation. Typically, poignancy is felt rather than thought. It is a heart word.
In that moment of poignancy, there was no need for descriptive words. But I was part of a parade of people and the moment of poignancy had to give way to the moving reality of folks behind me wanting to be with her, too. So we shared some words and assurances that I would be there when the funeral was history and everyone in her life returned to their normal lives.
I think this was the guarantee of that moment of poignancy. It is the residue of the power of presence. I did not make promises and, I'm sure, she did not expect promises. I doubt that verbal promises would be remembered anyway. In one sense the only promise I made was friendship, which we already have. I don’t know what specifically it means, nor does she.
All I know is I gave the only gift I know to give in that moment. It is to give myself. Others have done it for me. In a moment of poignancy the power of presence is the most amazing gift that can be offered. And it is always a blessing.
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