In the shelter of each other

I write this on the third day of Spring. But on my walk this morning, the wind is still very blustery, and quite chilly. So, yes, wintery. I tighten my scarf.
Wind has always done a number on my spirit. (Somehow, like the Douglas Fir branches that snap and give way, at the mercy of the gusts.) So, when it is windy, I feel myself mentally hunker down.
But along the walk, I can’t help but smile. As I am escorted by a pageant, and parade, of pink blossoms. It is cherry blossom season (as it may be in your neck of the woods). And here, whichever direction you look, you will see our ubiquitous native cherry, their branches without leaves, but completely attired with blushing pink buds and blossoms. (Although, in this wind, the delicate petals may soon be ticker tape in this parade.) And I love the cherry plum trees nearby, with their pink blossom hugged by the beginning of deep burgundy leaves. My Oh My.
For this I am grateful, and as I walk, accompanied by the blossoms, my step is lighter, and my spirit brighter.
It is nature’s (and our garden’s) gift. The indispensable pause button to refill our gratitude basin. With the permission to be here now. And to give up “if only”, and “when we arrive…”

A quote from Haruki Murakami comes to mind. “I had a choice: I could either let the darkness of the world swallow me, or I could do what I could to help make the world a little bit brighter.”
Speaking of making the world a little brighter. Sarah is an ordinary woman with a peculiar habit. You see, every Saturday, when the Jehovah’s Witnesses make their neighborhood rounds, she invites them in. And begins by saying, “I’m glad to see you. I’m not going to covert you, but you all are welcome to stay for tea.” And every Saturday, the missionaries do just that.
Another time, a salesman dropped in—old fashioned door-to-door, selling vacuum cleaners.  “Come on in,” she tells him. “I need to tell you that I’m not going to buy, and my baby is asleep, so no loud demo, but you look like you’ve had a long day, would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Why?” the salesman asked.
“Well, this may sound strange, but I actually believe that God may be found in any person, so I’m offering you coffee because you might be Jesus.”
I’m certain that for the salesman, it was easily his strangest house call ever; but even so, he sat for a spell, and enjoyed the coffee.
There was a time where I would have overlooked this story (adapted from Lauren Winner’s, Still). Or more likely, would have dismissed it. It falls under the category of too-good-to-be-true. But here’s the deal: more than ever, we need it.
In a world where it’s too common to hear, “I feel like I can’t even relate to them (family and friends) anymore.”
In a world where, because of fear and apprehension, we mistrust just about everyone and everything. Even kindness. Especially kindness. (I read that in some countries it is the ruse of would-be pickpockets. They pose as persons needing direction, and when kind strangers stop to help, those who help are fleeced. Is it the exception? Yes. But even so, fear carries the narrative of our time and our relations and our conversations.)

“In the course of a conversation, a friend said to me, ‘Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.’ Not being an Irish speaker, I asked her what it meant. She replied, ‘In the shelter of each other the people live.’  This proverb stirred deep within me; as I reflect on it, I continue to discover its profound, rich meaning, one that is for everyone, irrespective of language, place or race.
We have to stop pretending we are individuals that can go it alone… I believe that if we turn to one another… let go of our judgments, become curious about each other, and take the risk to begin a conversation… the world will be a better place.” (Thank you, Margaret J Wheatley, Turning to One Another)

“If we have no peace,” Mother Teresa reminded us, “it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
That’s why I love this story about Sarah. And I do have a hankering for kindness.
But, this is not a Sabbath Moment about kindness. Per se. Because our temptation is to bottle up whatever Sarah had, or find a way to teach it or market it on Amazon.
Lord knows, we find multiple ways to complicate life.
It is not enough, apparently, just to offer a cup of coffee.
Sarah’s story is about letting life in. Every bit of life.
Sarah’s story is about making space. Rooting ourselves in love and hospitality.
(For the record; just give me a list, I’m okay. Making space is trickier.)
That certainly doesn’t mean that we sugarcoat the world. There’s enough pain and injury to go around. And I can tell you that I am not a fan of people who—in the name of upbeat coaching—dismiss life’s complications, irritations, tensions and potential pain.
So, here’s the deal: When we make space we are able to bring who we are, wholeheartedly—whether that be grief or sadness or bewilderment or gladness or joy. And in that space there is hope, and there is mercy. And yes, there is kindness.

Dr. Irvin Yalom writes about a patient, “(She) described the horrible days of her cancer’s recurrence… She cried when she told me about calling her surgeon, a friend of twenty years, only to be informed by his nurse that there were to be no further appointments because the doctor had nothing more to offer. “What is wrong with doctors? Why don’t they understand the importance of sheer presence?” she asked. “Why can’t they realize that the very moment they have nothing else to offer is the moment they are most needed?” (Momma and the Meaning of Life)
Let us pause this week, and take the time to reach out and to say “thank you” to those who have made space and shelter for us.

Savor the Spring blossoms. And yes, like me, don’t forget to take your allergy medicine.
And for basketball fans, enjoy the March Madness. And yes, I’m cheering for Michigan.
Onward together my friends.

Quote for our week…
“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” Nelson Mandela

BULLETIN BOARD

Today’s Photo Credit: “Torch Ginger ( Costa Rica). I almost walked by this gift in the rainforest. My good friend, Terry Hershey, reminds us to take the time to pause. This morning, over my first cup of coffee, I was reminded that in times of stress, decision-making or the simple act of waiting is much easier when I pause. So, wherever the path leads today, permit yourself to take a deep breath, and the answer will come sooner than later.
I know how difficult it is to wait on anything. Impatience could be my middle name,” Dale Myers…. Thank you Dale… And thank you to all, I love your photos… please, keep sending them… send to terryhershey.com 

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Letters that do my heart good…
–Good morning, Terry.  I laughed at how completely relaxed and un-selfconsious my sweet dog is. He definitely has the “power of pause” down. Hope you have a wonderful day. Thanks for your daily and weekly sacrament. It does my heart Good! Kate
–Hi Terry, I’m an avid follower of your daily messages. And I often declare that I’m a Self-care activist or advocate depending on the situation. Your message today is spot on as usual! I look forward to your upcoming messages this week. And, I  Love your Sanctuary book… One of my favorite words and places to BE! Keep up your meaningful work! Blessings galore, Colleen
–While I am on a Lenten fast from social media, I continue to read this place of sanctuary you bring us, Terry. It is life giving and needed in this season of the world and in our lives we all inhabit. Susan
–Terry, you fill us up every day with all that is good and holy. It makes a difference. It is a bright spot looked forward to. Please know you make a difference in a heart, in a day, in a life. You are a blessing. Deb
–Good morning, some positive energy in these words from Hershey, as we stumble a bit with time change. Hope for a good week for you. Judith
–I love the message but also the photo of the iris. My favorite flowers are iris and lilacs which I used to be able to grow when I was younger. Now I wish our leaders were showing that color as they make decisions, blending their blue and red to do what’s best for everyone, not for just some vested interests. I have a group of friends who keep me feeling as positive as possible and I remind them we are now getting what we did Not pay for and how sad is that? It’s not who you know or what you know but how much are you willing to spend to get your way! Terry Waggle
–Beautiful post. It gives me comfort and nourishes my desire and efforts to live compassion as a verb. An action. Not merely an abstract state of being. Thank you for the light you bring to my world each day. Maryann