Carpe Diem!
Seize the Day
The past few weeks have been filled with many challenging events. There was the end of life experience of our beloved Carl Colombo. For those who take the time to read this and did not know Carl, go now to your dictionary and lookup kind, gentle, good, integrity, honest, generous, faithful or grateful and you will see his picture there. Having had the privilege to walk with Carl, Toni, his wife and their two sons this final part of Carl’s life has been soul searching for me. In addition to Carl’s journey our grandson Ian who is 17 had several seizures and was in ICU for five days. And my dad had colon surgery a few days after that and is still in the hospital. All of this while trying to squeeze in a vacation.
Reflecting on all of these events and the ups and downs of each, one thing has been consistent; community - family and friends. The community is the source by which God touches us and offers us healing and consolation. This God who is mystery to us comes to us in the flesh to comfort, console and cry with us in the difficult and broken times and to celebrate and laugh with us in the good times. Be this unseen to those who do not have eyes to see or who choose not to see. This is how God intimately touches us. Whether it is a family gathered around a hospital bed or sitting in a waiting room, a loved one holding you in a quite embrace or a tearful good-bye as the family goes its own way.
To this I add a reflection and a hope filled message: Do not become so busy that you do not have time to talk to those you care about and those who care about you. Laugh more than you cry and laugh often. Love especially when you aren’t feeling loving. It is real love not just convenient love. Be mindful of those who are near and far from you who do not have family or friend to love or be loved by. You may be the hand that God is calling to touch someone. And by all means, if you are feeling distant or at odds with a loved one do everything in your power to heal that relationship. Do not let another moment pass without seeking reconciliation today! We do not know the day or the hour. Carpe Diem, value the moments as much as you can. Draw each breath with gratitude and exhale it with generosity toward others.
Gratefully yours,
Deacon Ron