There are no words to describe the shock, grief and deep sense of loss so many are
feeling – tragedy upon tragedy at a time when the comfort of an embrace from one who shares your loss is not possible. Many of us either know one of the victims or know of someone who knows someone who was killed or directly affected. We are all rocked by the ripples of senseless violence and some of us are numb, overcome by compounded grief.
I have no words. Words fail me. And in fact, in the absence of the one speaking them to wrap arms around me, words seem to make the hurt even more acute.
The only words that have offered even a measure of comfort are those of Jan Richardson, words I’ve turned to before that helped me be present to unspeakable pain.
It’s been suggested that we light candles this evening. Should you choose to do so, might the light be a reflection of your commitment to love – to ask the hard questions of this event, to care for your neighbours… and yourself.
Lloyd
Blessing for the Brokenhearted
Let us agree for now that we will not say the breaking makes us stronger or that it is better to have pain than to have done without this love. Let us promise we will not tell ourselves time will heal the wound, when every day our waking opens it anew. Perhaps for now it can be enough to simply marvel at the mystery of how a heart so broken can go on beating, as if it were made for precisely this – as if it knows the only cure for love is more of it, as if the heart’s sole remedy for breaking is to love still, as if it trusts that is own persistent pulse is the rhythm of a blessing we cannot begin to fathom but will save us nonetheless.
© Jan Richardson janrichardson.com | paintedprayerbook.com
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