If those of us who remain in touch
through this medium have learned anything about the friendships that
we’ve forged, it’s that they’ve come about through an ongoing
exchange of gifts. Whether what we share is of our own making or is
the work of someone else, we share it because we find it meaningful
and moving in ways we hope will reveal what we’ve learned, how we
feel, and who we are. And the very fact that some of us do
remain in touch shows that we succeed.
The cumulative nature of our exchange
is powerful indeed. It coincides with our need to tell, and to be
told, stories the endings of which we understand might never be
known, or reached, or resolved. I love you is a song that
never grows old. Do you love me is a timeless hope that stirs
the soul.
As with our relationships that are
conducted face to face, or which began that way, or are steadily
moving in that direction, there is no better way to proceed. The
distance we travel, and the depths that are revealed, grow in direct
proportion to how freely our offerings are made. Our eagerness and
generosity give them value.
The other day, when my wife was out
walking with our four-year-old grandson, he stopped abruptly when he
noticed a withered plant nestled alongside the curb. Plucking from it
several dried seed pods, he told her, “These are for Grandpa.”
They were given me later, damp from his hand, and all the winters of
the world cannot be cold enough or long enough to keep his gift from
taking root between us.
10 comments:
Lovely! William, simply lovely. You are a giver of many gifts. Thank you.
I thank you, Peter. That’s kind of you to say.
it is easy to maintain a connection with most people as long as they leave the door slightly ajar. your grandson provided the perfect environment for growth: moisture and warmth; then when he opened his little fingers, light; and finally and most importantly.... love.
You William, so freely pass on your gifts
we conjure in images of your grandson and the smile on your face, With every gift you give us puts a smile on ours.
Thank you.
Thank you.
And you sing it so
Lovingly.
Rahina, Robert, and Vassilis, thank you. Further proof of our success: I had each of you in mind during this entry’s composition.
Yes, very true.
Kind regards,
Mike
Thank you, Mike. To you, too.
What beautiful words to read after being too long absent from your blog, William. I love this message of what can grow between people if only given the time and room. From small seeds can grow bridges that span countries, continents, even centuries. And yet sometimes there is no spanning the distance between two people standing right next to each other. Many thanks for an example of the good - in word and deed.
Gabriella, thank you. Without a doubt, you are a beautiful illustration and living proof of the message set forth here. I know, because I’ve experienced your grace first-hand.
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