I am reminded tonight of a song from Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol tonight. Oddly enough, it is one of the songs my family sings now and again when we are bored in the car. The first lines go:
...a hand for each hand was made for the world... why don't my fingers reach?
Depressing, to say the least. The song is all about loneliness. But as I reflect back on my day, this is the kind of loneliness I faced both at work and at home.
My workday was spent visiting elders in the community and bringing them Communion. The visits are done once a month, so wanted to cross a few off of my list, seeing that it's already the 16th. Every person I met was so kind and welcoming, but each expressed being lonely. Most are widowers who spend their days waiting for the phone to ring, for the mail to come, or for a visitor to knock on the door. Each day passes with feelings of great monotony.
And officially, all of my visitors have left Arizona, so I am now the only resident in #2095. It's not bad, but it's different to not have others around to talk to. It's manageable, as of right now (I sing a lot!), so that's good (right, Kira?)...but it's still hard.
But somehow--in the midst of such loneliness--there is hope in it all.
Today was the perfect reminder to me of what can happen when we reach out to each other and "be."
I am grateful for the women I met with today and for the opportunity to spend time with them in addition to bringing them Communion, even if it only meant breaking up the monotony of spending the day alone.
I am grateful for the mail, cards, & cds I received today from friends back at home.
And I am grateful for the phone calls today from family and friends--near and far--that reminded me of the importance of laughter and sharing stories.
So it makes sense. Although Mr. Magoo's words are depressing, there is a good message there.
We are able to hold another's hand when first we reach out. We are able to be the voice to answer one's back when we take time to listen and share. And when we are really lucky, we even get to connect with people and "be the shoes that click to their clack."
This is the ministry of the church. And I guess a great deal of "my call" story too.
Huh. Interesting.
But now I can't get the song out of my head. Uh oh.
Peace--
HGJ
My workday was spent visiting elders in the community and bringing them Communion. The visits are done once a month, so wanted to cross a few off of my list, seeing that it's already the 16th. Every person I met was so kind and welcoming, but each expressed being lonely. Most are widowers who spend their days waiting for the phone to ring, for the mail to come, or for a visitor to knock on the door. Each day passes with feelings of great monotony.
And officially, all of my visitors have left Arizona, so I am now the only resident in #2095. It's not bad, but it's different to not have others around to talk to. It's manageable, as of right now (I sing a lot!), so that's good (right, Kira?)...but it's still hard.
But somehow--in the midst of such loneliness--there is hope in it all.
Today was the perfect reminder to me of what can happen when we reach out to each other and "be."
I am grateful for the women I met with today and for the opportunity to spend time with them in addition to bringing them Communion, even if it only meant breaking up the monotony of spending the day alone.
I am grateful for the mail, cards, & cds I received today from friends back at home.
And I am grateful for the phone calls today from family and friends--near and far--that reminded me of the importance of laughter and sharing stories.
So it makes sense. Although Mr. Magoo's words are depressing, there is a good message there.
We are able to hold another's hand when first we reach out. We are able to be the voice to answer one's back when we take time to listen and share. And when we are really lucky, we even get to connect with people and "be the shoes that click to their clack."
This is the ministry of the church. And I guess a great deal of "my call" story too.
Huh. Interesting.
But now I can't get the song out of my head. Uh oh.
Peace--
HGJ
1 comment:
wonderful writing and refections..
it is so very good to see your
talents..
love
suz
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