LETTER TO MY SONS

 

Dearest Keith and Kevin,

My heart is open and full of love this morning.  Thanksgiving is only a few days away.  Could my heart be more grateful for all that is happening?  

Yes, it's been a very difficult year as the pandemic has put restrictions on all our lives.  For those of us living alone, it has been hard, especially when bad news came.  There's been lots of bad news this year.  

My brother died on Valentine's Day and then a succession of other deaths occurred, one after the other, leaving me sobbing alone in my apartment.  Grief in solitude is cruel and never intended for social animals.  But it drew me deeper into my heart where Love Sufficient for the deepest grief wraps its warm arms of love and comfort all around us, and where tears, precious tears, are kept in a bottle.  

How I have longed to be with you!  To look into your eyes and share stories, to sing songs together,  to be silly and laugh, and, most of all, to open our hearts and bask in the light that always shines there.  

When Keith invited me to his house for Thanksgiving, my heart was overjoyed!  Yes! Yes! Yes!  I want to be with my family again!  I want to see the beautiful faces of my grand-daughters and to hear their chatter!  I want to spend the night and go for a long walk in the woods on Friday morning.  I want to play with my great-grand-dog, Harper, and let her lick my cheeks.  I want to sit on the porch swing with Keith and watch the sunset. 

Then my mood turned somber when I remembered the pandemic.  I lifted a prayer, asking God to show me what to do.  His answer came through the CDC request to all Americans yesterday to stay home for Thanksgiving.  "The virus is spiking again and it's just not safe to gather indoors without masks to socialize and eat a big meal together."  I immediately recognized God's voice and wisdom.

"Yes," I said quietly in response.  "It's heartbreaking, but the responsible thing is to stay home."  

How I want to be with you on Thanksgiving!  How I long to hug each of my grand-daughters and to congratulate Molly on her engagement!  I want to eat turkey and dressing and cranberry sauce as we're all gathered around the table, chatting away about what's on our minds.  I want to hear what's happening in each life.  I want to be with my family.  

But not this year.  

Wisdom mandates caution.  I live among very vulnerable people at Canterbury House. I've grown to love my neighbors.  It is best that I not expose myself or them to the virus.

My  precious sons, you and your families will all be in my thoughts on Thanksgiving Day, grateful for each one of you and all God is doing in each of our lives.  There may be a few tears, some sad ones because I miss you, but also tears of joy because I am so very grateful for each of you.  May my love reach across the miles and embrace you all in a great big HUG.

Love triumphs!  That is our story and it is worth telling over and over. 

Always,

Mama Bird

November 28, 2019 - Thanksgiving Day