My mom and I just got off the phone. She and the rest of my family are on a rare visit back to what I consider home. She updated me about the going-ons of our friends and what a pleasure it’s been to spend time with them again. Mom also told me that two dear ladies from our church have Alzheimer’s. I admire both of them so much for being such wonderful examples of Christ. Both are compassionate, wise and energetic. Both represent home, love and goodness to me. Also, a couple’s nephew recently died in battle. I can’t begin to understand the pain my friends are feeling.
It’s been almost a year since I came back home, which really isn’t long in the grand scheme of things. I’m trying to accept that change is always present, even when you’re not there. Marge and Lucille would still have Alzheimer’s regardless of my coming and going. Really, it has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with life – the ocean that’s always changing with the tides.
Change happens. That’s life. Thank goodness. But… sometimes it’d be nice if it didn’t happen. If people didn’t grow old, if families didn’t hurt, if men didn’t die in battle… if pain didn’t happen. Of course, that’s not normal, natural or realistic, but it’s hard to not wish for that. Pain sensitizes us to others’ needs and the reality of being human. It makes us human and genuine. We wouldn’t be able to truly experience joy otherwise. So on and so forth.
Yet again, we’re running into clichés and realizing how true they are.
Our lives are split into puzzle pieces. The pieces are scattered here and there, placed in the pockets of friends, family and enemies. Each holds a piece to the puzzle that you call yourself, the parts that make you whole.
I find it liberating to think of how and where my many pieces are. Pieces are scattered from state to state, town to town. Right know, I feel like a three-parter… of what, I’m not sure. Part of me resides in my hometown, the other part with my family and another here at college.
Oye… too much typing, too many meditative thoughts. Back to my literature paper.
