What do you do when your child's heart is broken?
It was a sunny, mild June day when we arrived at the mountain cabin. The first thing we did, as always, was to go to the small pond down the road to look for beaver.My young son had often said that this beautiful spot was his favorite place in the world. Surrounded by three huge maples, it was a shaded paradise. His freckled face beamed whenever we talked about it .We only went to the cabin once a year, so this trip to the pond was special.
As we started to approach, something seemed off.There was too much light. Next to the road lay a pile of logs and as I looked down at the pond I saw three clean stumps. As I looked into my son's eyes, I saw them redden. He sat down and his shoulders shook uncontrollably. He turned and ran to the cabin. As slow as a funeral procession, I walked back alone, sat at the old kitchen table and mourned.
As I often do, I started to read some psalms and then wrote in my journal. My hand flew across the blank pages with words of wisdom that were not mine:.
"Take heart, this is a most important lesson. How much empathy do you have for those who have suffered a loss greater than the death of trees? Talk to your son about some losses you have had.Tell him about the card you sent to an acquaintance who almost died in surgery and how that note brought a wonderful new friend into your life. See if he remembers the sympathy card that meant so much to you that your other children sent when your Yellow Lab,Sagan, down. Use this heart break to lead your young son to understand that he has the power to help those suffering as he is suffering. Ask if he would like to help to plant new trees, renewing the pond place with your own hands. Do you see the beauty of living ?"
I wiped my tears, and called my son to the table. In my mind I could see the acts of compassion that we could do, together or apart, as a field of bright lighted fireflies, dancing and following our souls into eternity.
3 comments:
Gods perfect timing! I just found out a few hours ago that my sons girlfriend lost her mother - having just been out with them all 2 weeks ago I have been sitting in silence wondering what to do. Cancer has ravaged another great 'tree of life' I will mourn the loss but I will also write a special card!
What a lovely manner to describe "the beauty of living" whether experiencing nature, happiness or death...it all comes full circle...your scribe for love.
Cancer has ravaged another great 'tree of life' I will mourn the loss but I will also write a special card!
goldenslot
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