Written by ~liz Sorensen Wessel

This Christmas Eve, my thoughts turn towards home. My heart opens into scenes of years gone by, of a young girl growing up in the Sorensen family. Oh, the many selves we carry within us as we journey through life. Personally, I have not gone home for Christmas in over 30 years. This year, I will surprise my mom with a visit to Vermont. My sweet mom will soon enter her 96th year and is the last of her generation.

 A woman who lived in an age of innocence, Elizabeth Dorothea Lawler was the youngest of six children. She was raised in an Irish Catholic family in the Bronx, New York. But don’t let stereotypes deceive you, it was a young and vibrant city, sparkling with life. In a family of eight, money was scarce but they were rich in love for each other.

 My parents grew up in the same neighborhood and were acquaintances since childhood. As mom  flowered into womanhood her beauty drew captured him. He would find any excuse to ride the same train into Manhattan as mom in hopes of striking up a conversation. Eventually, his strategy paid off and they began dating. As one might say, the rest is history.

 On one level, this coming home, of returning full circle is nostalgic and abundant in gratitude. An expansiveness flows from the pain and joy of being alive; of living and dying; of loving and letting go. Yet, this coming home, of turning towards our Mother and Father takes us into a deeper sacred realm. The Aramaic word "Metanoia" means change of heart, “and refers to the meeting or coming together in the innermost part, the center, or if you will, the heart.” (Journal Essay, Oct. 15, 2011).

"Through the heart, we come to know of the Divine and through the heart the healing Grace of Love manifests in our lives." ~Fr. Michael Adams

This particular understanding of Metanoia is especially meaningful to me. A precious gift awaits us, as we are called by One who loves us, to return home. Wherever you or I might find ourselves, when our hearts open in Love, we are home.

Oh, You who are born of Love…

Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,
May the relief of laughter rinse through your soul.

As the wind loves to call things to dance,
May your gravity by lightened by grace.

Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth,
     May your thoughts incline with reverence and respect.

As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.

As silence smiles on the other side of what's said,
May your sense of irony bring perspective.

As time remains free of all that it frames,
May your mind stay clear of all it names.

May your prayer of listening deepen enough
to hear in the depths the laughter of God.”

 John O'Donohue

Mandala by ~liz