Powerful idea: “love what is mortal” is the easy part, though often challenging when those we love are ill, or unloving, or leave us to our own diminished existence. Letting go, however, is much more difficult to do. Each of us desires that the best of our lives on Earth continue on forever, knowing that we too will leave this “mortal coil” when God decides!
Balancing these opposites takes courage, perseverance, a bit of good fortune, and an acceptance that like the newly fallen snow with all of its sparkling brilliance, we will disappear but live on in the touched lives of all we meet on all the pathways of a lifetime.

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I have been holding this poem and carrying it with me…for these lines are poignant and so true. I think the key is to keep our hearts open to our life experiences. I tend to want to hold on to what is good and to avoid pain. Yet, if I can hold a tender space for the hurting aspects with a kind of reverence, a gentleness the perhaps suffering can be transformed.
Early in life, I was able to turn my back on my suffering…I could cut it out of my awareness. Yet, being cut off from feeling is not fully living…yet it helped me to cope and move forward at the time.
As my life has progressed I’ve intentionally tried to keep my heart open regardless of the winds of change. I’d like to think I’ve benefited and learned something about myself and others; empathy, compassion, forgiveness, Love.
Now, I find myself noticing my thoughts more, the disparaging thoughts towards myself or others. Rather than judging it…naming it and letting it slip away in the eithers… this leads to greater self understanding… to let go of what no longer serves a greater good.
Thank you for this gifting, Erie and for sharing this space for reflection.

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