ON BEING IN THE PRESENT


Sometimes it feels as if your heart is being chipped away, piece by piece.

Your next-door neighbor is in the final stages of cancer that she’s battled for nine years. Her partner recently died the same night she was taken by ambulance to the hospital while her beloved dog desperately cried for her at night.
Your lifelong friend, who is more like a sister, is doing everything she can to will her son to recover after he experienced a massive stroke. She keeps telling you she'd rather take his place while you silently cry because you have to be strong for her. Your mind keeps flashing back to the many Thanksgivings you spent with them, and you relish the memory of being called “Aunt Dana.”
One of your close friends is in the hospital and recently learned that she has tumors everywhere. You stand by her bedside and share in her sorrow while you both know that the road ahead is full of potholes and gigantic boulders, and all we have is this moment together.
It's times like this when all you can do is tell each one how much you love them and how sorry you are for their suffering. You spend time with them by meeting them where they are mentally and quietly listen. Inwardly, you pray for each of them, even though you don’t consider yourself even remotely religious. And when one of them seems to be losing hope, you encourage them to stay in the present and hold on to hope. Sometimes, that’s all we have. Hope.
Then, the phone rings, and it’s your eight-year-old full-of-life grandson. When he enthusiastically greets you at the top of his voice, “HI, GRANDMA,” your heart melts. All is well with the world at that moment. Love came knocking one more time.
"If you light a lamp for someone else, it will also brighten your path." Buddha


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