Wednesday, July 11, 2007

The Dark Cottage

"The soul's dark cottage batter'd and decay'd.
Lets in new light through chinks that time has made.
Stronger by weakness, wiser men become.
As they draw near to their eternal home."~ Edmund Waller

Yesterday marked the 3 year anniversary of the attack. The last 2 weeks have left me exhausted and feeling quite batter'd and decay'd. I have been plagued with dreams of Bill and found myself reliving painful memories that had, until recently, seemed to be fading. Why now?!? I thought that I had made such progress. I am always striving to move forward... to learn and grow and become better because of what happened. Where have I gone wrong?

In May, I went to California and spent time with my son and his precious wife, Carey. I marvel at the loving respect and appreciation that they have for each other. They have taught me what a loving marriage and true "oneness" means. I'm so grateful...
In June, I spent 2 weeks fishing and relaxing in Michigan with my dearest friend. The smell of cedar and earth; the beauty of pink sunsets on lakes as smooth as glass; the amazing sound of quiet stillness... It fed my soul.
In July, I started a new job at Rockynol Retirement Community after leaving my job of 10 years at Heather Knoll. It is another part of moving forward with Life.

So, here I am with all of these wonderful things happening in my life and I am feeling overwhelmed with sadness. How is this possible and when will it end? As I lamented my current state this morning, my dear friend Bob said, "You will never be nearer to perfection than you are at this moment." It was then that I remembered that truth is only found now. It doesn't matter where I wish to be or feel that I should be. The only thing that saves me is accepting the reality of where I am right now.
The last 2 weeks were spent feeling overwhelmed by the darkness that I had so hoped was gone for good. But the instant that I accepted the reality of where I am at this moment, the light began to shine through the chinks that time has made to make me stronger by weakness and draw me nearer to Eternity. Amen.