Enough

A dear friend sent me these words that she has taped to her desk. They were written by PD James, the 80 year old mystery writer:
"The world is a beautiful and terrible place. Deeds of horror are committed every minute and in the end those we love die. If the screams of all earth’s living creatures were a scream of pain, surely it would shake the stars. But we have love. It may seem a frail defense against the horrors of the world, but we must hold fast and believe in it, for it is all that we have."

My reflection on James’ words is that love is enough. In fact the intensity of the last month of our life adventure has demonstrated that love is more than enough. Love has come to us in many forms—many of them unimaginable, unpredictible, many splendored (as the song goes).

Sherry often describes to me how prayers, being held in the light, and thoughts of hope are palpable. She feels like she is being held up, like floating on a compassionate cloud.

Cards, letters, notes, e-mails, blog posts, phone calls, visits, and flowers have been lovingly encouraging and supportive.

I’ve written about the sharing of food and that too is a palpable and delectable expression of love.

The sharing of poems, movies, songs, and books has proven to expand our universe without us having to leave home to do so.

Other expressions have been thoughtful and funny. Garrison Keilor’s "even More Pretty Good Jokes" is definitely in the funny category. Then there are the two fasten-in-the-front bras that arrived on the UPS truck. These came as a response to my blog entry about Sherry reaching the benchmark of being able to fasten her bra behind her back. As far as I can tell that is an incredible reach; one that I am glad I don’t have to do. In any case, love has arrived in DD cups.

I learned last night that two pounds of madjool dates are in the mail. Sherry loves them, and their journey was prompted by our effort to stem Sherry’s weight loss.

Then there have been multiple offers of transportation, lodging for visiting relatives, yard and garden work, improving access in our home, taking our recycling materials to the transfer station, and more--I just can’t recall them all right now.

What we do know is that all of these expressions are authentic, genuine, the real deal. Love has been tendered.

Sherry’s prayer has been that this experience will make her a better person; more loving. My hopes are along the same lines with the specific additions of patience, strength, and courage. Our community is teaching us precisely how to do this.

Love is clearly more than enough, but our gratitude for it can never be…