Monday’s events in Boston have had our staff here at DMI hen-like in their soft “clucking” concerned for our friends and family in Boston and the region.
Indeed, it has been hard to focus on what seem like trivial “to-dos” compared to what people were going through who were present and/or connected to individuals running and cheering around Copley this Monday.
Two immediate things were important that day –
- Checking in on friends and family to ensure they were safe, and
- Doing whatever might be useful for those who were suffering either from injury, shock, dislocation, or grief for another.
In that sense, as a former runner, I felt the athletes present were examples of qualities we might call up in ourselves: those of tenacity, dedication, patience, and self-awareness. They were examples of holding fast to that which drives us in life – our relationships, the moments of connection and community which so exemplify the essence of Marathon Monday. They were examples of the tenacity and dedication of 26.2 miles of pavement and what it takes to complete each step, knowing that, whether it’s injury, loss, or grief, there is a journey ahead towards worthy goals that will take drive, vision, and respect of their not coming cheap at times. Finally, they were examples of an awareness of measured energy in the face of an epic goal and finishing each step to completion. At times that meant feeling the pain and going easy for a moment so they could continue on, tapping into resources like love and offered support, pushing up the hills facing them, and coasting down again when offered a little reprieve.
Yesterday amidst the relief of friends being safe, and anguish for those not so lucky, I went out to the barn to check on the bottle fed lambs. Kneeling down to share some mutually beneficial love, the smaller of the two tucked himself firmly under my thigh and started butting his head against me, looking for an udder. It brought me a warm smile and pleasure in having life so feistily and forcefully demand attention.
It was a good thing – a little life not lost for the effort the farmers are putting in to replace his mother, and, in thriving, his ability to share some of that zest with a woman grieving for innocents caught by a senseless act.
Spring today seems truly here at last, as it felt in Monday’s sun. My hope for you, no matter what the challenge of your association with the events Monday or the countless similar events that happen globally, might be that you find your “wee lamb,” however that presents itself in your life, and take the time to celebrate life, now, today…no matter what step you are on in your journey. Love, community, hope, appreciation, and compassion are conscious choices made every day. We do have the choice, no matter if we are at the start, on the climb, or enjoying coasting down a “hill” with the sun on our faces.
image credit: soniasu_ via flickr
