Take My Hand And You Can Walk

Raw feelings attacked all of us as if we had been covered with emotional pepper spray.  They were tired and fatigued, pushed beyond their limits.  She was in pain from a newly diagnosed infection; the prescribed antibiotics not yet having an impact.  And the other one, she was in pain from an old wound–rejection.

The other one walked in just as the emotional meltdown had reached its peak.  They directed her to retreat to her room to cry in isolation.  She was not aware that the other one had appeared.  They were tense and brittle, at their wits end.  The other one followed her down the hall and to her room.  She knew there was someone in the doorway and her wailing increased in volume.  When she looked up, she was taken aback and the fit was momentarily suspended.  The other one asked if she would come outside to play on the swing set.  She thought she would be forbidden; she knew she was “in trouble”.  She walked timidly past them with the other one.  The look on her face showed defiance.  The expression in her eyes revealed fear.

Outside the two got to work playing hard at the swing set.  The mood was lighthearted and silly one moment but serious and contemplative the next.  She had expected more incrimination and condemnation.  When the other one spoke different words than she expected, she grew quiet and filed away the information.

The other one took her off guard with, “When I heard that you were here, I came as quickly as I could.  Do you know why?”

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I like playing with you.”

She gave no response.  No response was needed but the message was received.

She tried repeatedly to get them to join her in the fun.  One of them did quickly; the other one did as well but slower.  The need for a tantrum had passed.   Her need to feel forgiven was only half met.

She and the other one followed the path of the flowers and the trees around to the front yard.  Flowers were inspected, noticing the differences between them.  Lady bugs were searched for but not found.  Ping-pong sized balls were tossed up in the air to watch them tumble down through the tree limbs.  As usual, she needed a moment of exploration with the other one’s cane, her head just inches above the handle.  The other one asked if she wanted to go check the mail.  She perked up at the idea.  The other one asked that she return the cane.

Instead, she shook her head negatively and said,

“Take my hand and you can walk.” 

The other one gave no response.  No response was needed but the message was received.  In companionable silence, a few steps were taken, hand-in-hand.  With spontaneous energy, she took off running across the yard but waited patiently by the post for the other one to catch up to her.

Hours later, the other one had said the final goodbyes and given the goodbye hugs.  She was in search of more adventures in playland as she rounded the corner toward the back yard and the swing set.  With spontaneous energy, she took off running toward the other one.  A special kiss and one more hug were necessary.  No response was needed but the message was received.

There are times when we need to hear the voice of Love saying to us,

“When I heard that you were here, I came as quickly as I could.  Because I like playing with you.”

There are times when we need to hear the voice of Love saying to us,

“Take My hand and you can walk.”

 

 

The Allure of Self Possession

The clock on the wall of the mechanic’s shop revealed the time to be 10:30 AM.  While in the parking lot cars were entering and leaving, the reception area was subdued with a hint of tension.  The customer waiting sat patiently on the sofa provided, surrounded by note pads, day planner, file folders and Smart phone.  The young girl behind the service desk seemed flustered but was pleasantly promising that the new work order would be of no consequence.  There had been an unfortunate hiccup in the delivery of car parts.  There had been an unfortunate hiccup with a sudden reduction of staff.  With a little patience, all would be attended to in no time at all.

The customer waiting and sitting patiently surrounded by her work was a beautiful woman dressed casually in t-shirt, jeans and flip flops.  She exchanged pleasantries with the new customer, commenting that she had been there since the opening of the shop that day.  She compiled her work materials in an organized compact way as the now two waiting customers shared the sofa in the reception area.  She continued quietly with her work.  She responded to text messages as they were received.  She spoke quietly and briefly when calls were placed or received.  She interacted with the young girl at the service desk with professional respect and warmth, bearing in mind the unpredictable mishaps that the service desk attendant was having to deal with herself.

The expected hour of wait turned into two.  The original customer calmly placed a phone call, making arrangements to cover her absence in the delay.  She remained focused on her work and was in control of her emotions and responses at all times.  A new call came through which prompted her to stand in the far corner of the waiting area as she chatted.  She never raised her voice; she spoke confidently, firmly and respectfully at all times.  The content of the dialogue could not be heard over the country music playing on the radio.  Upon concluding the call, she apologized for any inconvenience her phone conversation may have had.  She thought perhaps the call may have bothered the second customer or interrupted the reading of her book.  She never raised her voice; she spoke confidently, firmly and respectfully at all times.

More time passed and the clock was quickly edging toward the mark when the self-possessed customer needed to leave in order to be present at a meeting.  She still remained calm and in control of her emotions and responses at all times, yet the tension of the delay showed in the tightness of her neck and shoulders, her facial expression and her pacing back and forth.

The clock on the wall of the mechanic’s shop revealed the time to be 1:30 PM.  The time was significant in that at 1:30 PM, the meeting was due to begin.  Forty minutes previously the shop owner had returned and set the wheels of progress in motion.  The car was readied to the point that the self-possessed customer was able to leave for the meeting that had been postponed at her request.  After the meeting, she would return to the shop for the remainder of the work order to be completed.

The second customer who had joined her on the sofa in the waiting area continued to read her book throughout these interchanges.  When the self-possessed woman who spoke confidently, firmly and with respect at all times left, the car of the second customer was serviced.  While she waited, additional customers entered and exited the shop.  Some dropped off their vehicles.  Some picked up their vehicles.  Some promised to return another time.  None completed their business with the same manner of respectability as did the self-possessed woman.  She was indeed a beautiful person, a person of strong character and influence.

The young girl at the service desk let the still-waiting customer know that her car was almost ready to go and so the bill could be settled.  Idle chatter was exchanged as was payment for services rendered.  This customer then stepped outside, expecting to drive off shortly in the newly serviced car.  Standing for a quarter-hour in the sun urged the customer to return to the reception area of the shop.  The young girl at the service desk apologized for judging too quickly on the availability of the car.  The still-waiting customer, remembering the allure of the beautiful woman who had been waiting with a quiet confidence and strong respect, tried to respond in like fashion to the young girl at the service desk.  The clock on the wall of the mechanic’s shop revealed the time to be 2:30 PM.

The allure of self possession has an unspoken influence on those who experience it or witness it.  It draws you in; it inspires you onward.  It is a challenge to sit taller with shoulders back and with head held high; to intentionally do all that you can for now and to intentionally step toward the next thing; and to speak confidently, firmly and respectfully at all times.  A self-possessed person is indeed a beautiful person, a person of strong character and influence.

Celebrating the Beauty

In spontaneous bursts of giggles and energy, she tumbles across the trampoline.  In undisguised awe, she pauses to watch a baby.  In undeniable fatigue, she cuddles and sighs against a strong shoulder until blissful sleep overtakes her.  She is a celebration of Beauty.

The sparrow hops from the ground to the chair, tiny beak full of twigs.  She views her perfect perch from below.  In the blink of an eye, she rises and lights at the chosen place. The diligent and wise placement of her chosen resources puts the finishing touches on the nest of the future.  The hummingbird appears suddenly as if out of nowhere.  A myriad of colors suspended in mid air paints a delicate balance of grace and strength as it suckles the sweet nectar from the feeder.  The bluejay dives sharply and swiftly from the gutter’s edge down to the ground.  Its feathered tail is spread in dominance, spread with a brilliant hue with pride and confidence.  Creatures, alike but different, are a celebration of Beauty.

Age lines their faces and impairs their bodies, but as they sit at their special table in the far corner of the coffee shop, age does not circumvent the love and adoration one has for the other.  He wears clothes tattered and stained from time, suspenders more for decoration and comfort than for need.  He arrives at the table first and he prepares the way.  He sets out the picnic supplies.  He sets her chair just so, placing the cushion against the back rest.  Finally she joins him, having hobbled across the store with cane in hand.  Her S-curved back forms a hump across her shoulders.  She takes her place at the table in the chair he made ready for her.  Her tiny feet dangles an inch above the floor.  He fetches their cups of coffee.  Quietly, at peace with each other and with the world, he reads today’s newspaper while she munches at her homemade sandwich.  They are a celebration of Beauty.

He ambles down the sidewalk in the local neighborhood.  The 80-degree spring temperatures do not hinder him, neither does the polypropylene splint on his left leg nor does the palsied left arm.  He is a man on a mission; he is a man who survived a stroke.  Life’s focus has been redirected, but he will not be denied life.  He is a celebration of Beauty.

She walks briskly down the stretch of wet sand in the early morning hours.  The sea gulls overhead join her in soaring to heavenly heights and calling out a language no one else can interpret.  With the iPod loaded and the earphones firmly in place, her hand is lifted high as she sings praises in time with the music she hears in her ears and in her heart.  She is a celebration of Beauty.

The home is settled for the night.  The lights are turned low.  The notes of smooth jazz tickle the auditory senses.  The notes of smooth jazz refreshes the weary soul.  With head laid back and legs outstretched, the head of household allows the presence of Peace to wash over the body, relaxing the knotted muscles and drawing the mind into the lull that all is well.  The home and the homeowner are a celebration of Beauty.