A life story
What does it take for you (or me) to see and understand the value of life? So much time and energy is spent in an effort to accumulate that which takes life, love, and peace out of us. When our focus escalates from the basics of humanity to the stereotypes of commercialism we lose our ability to fully love and appreciate life.
Sound confusing? Consider what you think, desire, or subtly manipulate in others. Dig deep with me. Whether you believe it or not you wonder why others do what they do instead of wondering why you do what you do. Your child or friend is expected to act certain ways in certain circumstances as your ability to manipulate or control them grows. As this attitude or characteristic escalates, our desire to hold on to our control mechanism increases and our ability to love life diminishes at a rapid pace.
I got an email from a lady a couple years back, and someone I really got to know, that brought this to light. She was raised by good hardworking parents that understood the value of loving friends and family. In her own words they had very little as far as material possessions go. After one bad marriage she (in her words) hit the lottery and married a man with a fair amount of money. She quickly distanced herself from old friends in an effort to move upstream and swim with the big fish. With her new found wealth she started to manipulate or control her kids with the allure of money and stuff. She said the manipulation came when they did not do as she desired so she would threaten to with hold her wealth from them. One by one they all drifted away and she found herself alone, with the exception of her high flying associates (not friends) that were in similar situations. With one bad investment the money was gone. The new friends dropped her and the old friends had already been ditched years ago.
The marriage dissolved soon after the money dried up. She was left with nothing but depression. As she sulked in her misery she remembered the lessons of her parents. Work hard, forgive quick, love often, give more than you have, accept others for who they are, and (the big one) ask for forgiveness where you have harmed others. With humility she one by started calling friends and family to beg their forgiveness. Most fell on deaf ears because of her years of verbal abuse toward them or her ignoring them all together. As if things could not have gotten any worse she developed lung cancer with little means to access treatment and little desire to keep going.
Her once manipulative controlling life was now being controlled by an enemy that she was hoping would soon win. Her life of shame and embarrassment was nearing it's conclusion. Her thoughts now turned to, how would my family remember me.
I am sure you are thinking that this story has a terribly sad ending, but the truth is otherwise. During treatment she met people from all walks of life that were in the same battle. These people knew nothing of her background, nor did they care. What matter to them, as to her, was that love finds it's way into our hearts through the tiniest of cracks. With her new friends she found hope and by the grace of God some of her old friends eased their way back into her life. Even though family was still rather cold even their hearts began to warm as her disease progressed.
As her time on this earth come to an end I recall her words to me on her last day of life. She reminded me how fragile relationships can be and that the fragility of that relationship hinges on our ability to love and forgive. She want on to say that if you have no hope in the future you can have no joy in today. In her battle with cancer she found the value of life. She reminded me that money used to impress others instead of help others will always leave a hole in the heart of the person with the wealth. Her final words to me were this, and I will never forget it, "make peace with your past and live life with love, don't worry about mistakes you make, and most of all never forget that God placed in you the ability to turn your wounds into wisdom".
She died the day after we spoke. I will treasure those final days of life and the wisdom she imparted on me. She became a treasure of love to so many and the best part was this, at her visitation the line was two hours long. That goes to show we all can learn to love again.
peace to you
Dale
I am sure you are thinking that this story has a terribly sad ending, but the truth is otherwise. During treatment she met people from all walks of life that were in the same battle. These people knew nothing of her background, nor did they care. What matter to them, as to her, was that love finds it's way into our hearts through the tiniest of cracks. With her new friends she found hope and by the grace of God some of her old friends eased their way back into her life. Even though family was still rather cold even their hearts began to warm as her disease progressed.
As her time on this earth come to an end I recall her words to me on her last day of life. She reminded me how fragile relationships can be and that the fragility of that relationship hinges on our ability to love and forgive. She want on to say that if you have no hope in the future you can have no joy in today. In her battle with cancer she found the value of life. She reminded me that money used to impress others instead of help others will always leave a hole in the heart of the person with the wealth. Her final words to me were this, and I will never forget it, "make peace with your past and live life with love, don't worry about mistakes you make, and most of all never forget that God placed in you the ability to turn your wounds into wisdom".
She died the day after we spoke. I will treasure those final days of life and the wisdom she imparted on me. She became a treasure of love to so many and the best part was this, at her visitation the line was two hours long. That goes to show we all can learn to love again.
peace to you
Dale
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