The Blessing of Joy

It's a crazy-busy season, but also a good time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for our circle of family and friends. Last weekend we traveled to my mom's for our Christmas celebration with her. Since I last wrote, my sister's family has left Abingdon and moved back out West, which feels very far away. As we were enjoying last weekend with my mom, I saw the scrapbook that my sister made for her last year, full of the memories and stories she collected from friends and family about my dad. It's one of the best gifts I can imagine. I read the whole thing again, cover to cover, and it was good to be reminded of the essence of who my dad was...someone who loved his wife and rarely missed the opportunity to compliment her or tell someone else about how great she was...someone who was upbeat, who believed being a "morning person" is a choice, who genuinely enjoyed getting to know others...someone who was a source of empowerment and inspiration for his staff, infusing them with confidence to try new things and continually learn...a person of a deep and abiding faith. Remembering these things about my dad is always an inspiration to me to be more like him. And for all those who might be struggling with grief, loss, illness, or depression this holiday season, here's a poem for you.

Blessing to Summon Rejoicing by Jan Richardson

When your weeping
has watered
the earth.

When the storm
has been long
and the night
and the season
of your sorrowing.

When you have seemed
an exile
from your life
lost in the far country
a long way from where
your comfort lies.

When the sound
of splintering
and fracture
haunts you.

When despair
attends you.

When lack.
When trouble.
When fear.
When pain.

When empty.
When lonely.
When too much
of what depletes you
and not enough
of what restores
and rests you.

Then let there be
rejoicing.

Then let there be
dreaming.

Let there be
laughter in your mouth
and on your tongue
shouts of joy.

Let the seeds
soaked by tears
turn to grain,
to bread,
to feasting.

Let there be
coming home.