What Would Love Say?
Like all of you, my life has been hijacked. So many things have changed including the loss of my job and working life, the inability to see my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, the birth of my new grandson whom I barely know, and most of all, the painful sudden death of my brother Paul in July.
But oftentimes these days, I ask myself “What would love say”? I asked myself that this very morning when a very surly man waited on me at the grocery store. Instead of allowing my feathers to be ruffled I tried unerring kindness. He was unmoved but that’s ok. I let love speak…
Whenever I talk to my daughter on the phone I give her all my attention and focus. I know she’s working unbelievably hard as a teacher and as a mother. At this moment in time I never want to take anything from her – she has so much on her plate. I only trust love to answer…
Instead of bemoaning to anyone who will listen that I am missing out on my little grandson’s new life, I pick up my knitting needles and knit for him. And this makes me feel close to him until I can get him in my arms and hold him tight. I let love create…
I have made myself 24/7 available to friends who are going through transitions of their own or are just plain pandemic-fatigued or frightened. I’ve reached across telephone lines and email servers to hold out my shaky hand to clasp theirs. Love supplies the touch…
These days I help my bereft 80-something year old mother who is navigating life without the comfort of her beloved son. She needs me and it doesn’t bother me a bit because I want her to know she is loved and cared for. Afterall, she took good care of me (more than once) and I am lucky to be strong and have the skills as well as the time to help. It’s the best gig I ever had because this time, I am employed by love…
As I await the end of this terrible time with increasing anticipation, I know exactly what love has to say.
~
(Photo by Eva Watson-Schutze, an American photographer who captured the most lovely mother and child compositions.)
9 Comments
Ann
Beautiful. Just beautiful!
Christine McCann
Thank you for this reflection. It’s been very helpful.
Cherre
Hi Donna, I read this post for the first time today. It’s a beautiful reminder to do nice things for people you love. I lost my mom the day you wrote this. You’re blessed you have your mom to do things for. We must not take these moments for granted.
A Lovely Inconsequence
Dearest Cherre, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. We want them to live forever and yet, we know they cannot which makes my time with my mother all the sweeter. Your comment has stayed with me and as someone who is grieving too (my brother), I wish you comfort and ease.
Karen
Oh my gosh! Did you write this just for me? I too have a teacher daughter with 4 year twin girls, all of whom I miss terribly. I have controlled myself graciously (I hope) in my self pity, but I was accomplishing this determinedly as a controlling myself issue. When you said, ” I never want to take anything from her, she has so much on her plate”, I felt an immediate shift in my perspective. Such a gentle and dignified way to handle myself instead of imposing rigid boundaries. What would love say, indeed? Employed by love. I have so much love to give and I can spread it around wherever I am instead of where I wish I was.
THANK YOU. Sending a bucket of love back to you. xo karen
Tracy H
I feel confident telling you here that this is your faith, acts of charity and grace.
Dana
Wow- this is simply beautiful. I am going to print it and keep it in my wallet as a daily reminder to let love speak. Just imagine if everyone thought this way- what a kinder world this would be.
LA CONTESSA
GOOD ON YOU AND THE GROCERY CLERK!
I NEARLY LOST IT IN LINE YESTERDAY!
BUT MY POLITE BEING AROSE TO THE OCCASION!
WHY DO THEY ONLY HAVE TWO CHECK OUT CLERKS IN THE MORNING?
XXX
Karen
I know what love says, because I hear you speak it to me so often, my dear friend. This is perfectly beautiful and I thank you so much for sharing it with us. These are the kind of sentiments we all need to hear because we’re all so exhausted.. It reminds me of what the Bible says about not being weary in doing good. It’s a way to lift our hearts, and the hearts of others. This is love speaking, Donna.