I spent Saturday participating in an all city clean up. Over 300 individuals took time to go around the town and pick up trash as part of an Earth Day event.
While picking up garbage, we had plenty of time to talk. Other than the constant standing and stooping, there were no real distractions. I started walking with a young couple that we know. The husband quickly outdistanced us. As the woman and I made our way through the brush, I heard a heartbreaking tale of infertility. I was so saddened. I hope I was able to convey my compassion and concern as we walked and worked.
A short time later, I walked with a couple in their 50s. As I listened to their story, I stopped for a moment and just tried to take it all in. Their son and daughter-in-law have a three year old son with Autism. Their grandson is nonverbal and the grandma was so thankful he was just starting to verbalize his very first words. And that is not all. The daughter-in-law just lost her job and their son, who has a college degree, has had one job interview in the past two years and is trying to make a living delivering pizzas every night.
I was reminded, at that moment, that picking up trash was secondary to being present for the people I was spending time with that day. I thought of Bebo Norman’s song I’m Not Living In The In-Between:
“Can I come close to you?
Hold your heart and never move
Well, I can’t be anything I’m not
You get what you see
But I’m gonna give you everything I got
I’m not living in the in-between”
Later that morning, all the volunteers came together for food, fun and prizes (free T-shirts of course). At the event, I met up with my best buddy who has two young adult children who have broken all contact with him and yet here he was reaching for another normal day with joy. It is inexplicable that they would not choose to have this wonderful man in their life.
Life is full of great joy but also great sadness. Learning how to forge a path forward, knowing when to hold on to the past and when to let go, is a challenge.
Living and loss leave wrinkles on our hearts. These wrinkles are not visible to the naked eye but are very apparent when we lend an ear to our friends and those who come into our life. Staying connected to one another is essential.
Wise words from you, Prairie Wisdom. You chose your blog name well.
Thanks Elyse… Your wisdom (and blog) helps ground me and gives me perspective. Appreciate it so very much.
Some days the pain and suffering all around is more than I can handle. Staying connected and sharing in each other’s struggles is crucial. Thanks for this post today.
Thank you Tina. Life is truly a journey isn’t it?
Thanks for the wise words. It reminds me that Earth Day is really People Day.
What a great way to describe the day!
What a reminder! I know you’ve touched many of us today.
People are important aren’t they? I am going to send some postcards to the people who touched me that day. I want to continue to reach out to them.
What a great perspective you have. I think you have a tender heart.
It is important to be available to people because what else is life about?
This is so true! I learn this more every day. Some of the realizations are bittersweet…times and people that are gone and nothing can bring them back. But there is a lot of joy too. I think it is so important to be still now and then, and just absorb the realities you talk about. The love and the loss, the good and the bad. Great post! ~ Sheila
Bittersweet is such a great term for life!
Isn’t it nice when we’re able to see beyond our own selves and into the hearts of others? Such a good way to spend time – serving in more than one way, the nees of those around you and of the community.
I couldn’t agree more ;)
You are always present and that is what makes you a great friend to lean on. A precious post.
Same back at you!