Blossoms of Grief and Courage

Did you know that during droughts,

cactus blooms are more prolific?

That means they have more blossoms

during the driest years.

By sending out more blossoms,

the cactus ensures its own survival.

It's called Blooming under Pressure.

My thoughts are with a lovely family in Arizona today.

In my mind's eye, 

I can see them clearly busy this morning--

picking out appropriate clothing,

speaking in hushed tones,

carefully moving through their home with purpose,

being held up by one another

and little trails of tears escaping

every little while

as they go through the motions

of living and grieving

the loss of one of their own.

As I have read the tender feelings they've shared

about this unique life experience--

their grief is underlined by 

gratitude for their family and faith

upon which they rely and praise.

Today, they will hold one another 

a bit longer and tighter

as each soaks up the overflowing grief

until it has been shared like one 

sacred cup of sacramental water.

Grief shared, is grief divided

and the thinning of grief

leaves room for Courage.

Courage to wipe the tears away,

and accept the next moment

the move forward

with quiet, intimate gratitude.

The truth is,

Grief does not stop the World

from turning--

life goes on

even when our hearts 

are secured with an invisible tether

to the cause of our grief.

We wonder if we can even breathe.

Yet, the truth about 
a broken heart

is that it can be 
mended.

Carefully, tenderly, lovingly

mended.

A mended heart has possibilities--

surprisingly,
it can still create joy
and love,

it can also
progress and expand in ways

it may not have been able to do

before it was

broken.

A mended heart can do things

in ways that perhaps 
it couldn't have done

before.

Grief has a way of 
consecrating 
and 
sanctifying

our mortal minds and hearts,

and mended hearts are sacred.

And while I would never wish 

a broken heart upon anyone--

the light that shines 

from those who have braved the storms of life

is a beacon for me.

I look to them for guidance and direction

when faced with my own storms.

Such is this sojourn we call

"Life".

It's messy and chaotic at times

and it takes Courage 

to give all that we have to make sense of it,

and even more effort and brilliance

to be Grateful for the trip at all.

Gratitude is the face of Courage.

Today in Arizona,

a family is gathered together at the gravesite

of their little one,

and if you could see with heavenly eyes,

I would bet you could see

blossoms.

Lots and Lots 
of
blossoms.