Love, as a Miracle

Just for a few minutes, let us consider what a miracle it is that we find love in one another; a single person with whom we are glad and feel blessed to spend the rest of our lives.

Think upon this for just a moment. There are over six billion people in the world, and only one of each of us.

That’s a one in six billion chance of meeting the one.

Your average odds of winning a multi-million-dollar lotto is about 300 times better than that; at one in around 23 million or so. Your odds of being struck by lightening are twice as good as that, at about one in 14 million.

As for me, I’ll forego winning the lottery so as not to be struck by lightening the first time. :-) Oh, but love, that most powerful energy in the universe, is worth any price to keep, as unlikely as it seems to be had.

Yet, out of six billion people in the world, we are guided to the one with whom we fall in love and who falls in love with us; that one and particular person with whom love starts out strong and as it ages, becomes even stronger. On paper, the odds of finding that one might seem impossible, given how many of us have actually won a multi-million-dollar lotto or have actually been struck by lightening.

That, dear reader, is the miraculous and loving hand of the Holy Spirit at work. We are naturally graced with not only the longing for love, but the innate capability of loving. That is a miracle on top of a miracle.

Robin Williams once quipped that your soul-mate is the one who looks at your face and sees the one you think you still look like. No matter how lined and etched that face becomes with life and toil, no matter how crowned with grey, that face is the one that even years later you look at and it makes you think, “Uh HUH! That’s my baby.” Such is the quality of love, that it sees little of the physical, but can actually glimpse the soul of another when one's own soul is laid bare in trust.

True and abiding love, based on trust and a complete nakedness of the soul is without a doubt the reflection of a loving Creator who loves and trusts us just as completely. No guile, no deception, no domination; it is the mere whisper of "I'm here; My heart is always with yours. There is nothing you need fear."

Today, go to the one you love -- that one who loves you just as much -- and give them a hug. As you do, thank the gracious Creator for beating all the odds.

Some One watches because some One loves me

In whatever work that you do, you should say to yourself at every moment: "If God looks at me, what does [God] see?" Then see how you answer yourself. If you condemn yourself, leave immediately. Stop the work that you were doing and take up something else in order to be sure to reach your destination. For it is necessary that the traveler be always ready to continue on the journey.

- Sayings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers

Quoted in Essential Monastic Wisdom: Writings on the Contemplative Life by Hugh Feiss.

No matter what we're going through, no matter what we're doing, the Creator is always by our side. There isn't a moment that we're not loved -- no, not even one. Let us strive to make the One who loves us most proud by doing the quiet, loving things we should. It doesn't matter if anyone else notices -- you and G'd will know the difference you've made by putting something positive into Creation.

Our treasures in the afterlife are made of the only things we can carry across from this life to the next one: the memories we make. The more sweet ones we make, the lighter the load of treasures will be to take across the Rainbow Bridge.

Be Well; be at peace; you are loved just as you are.

Everything I Know about Love, I Learned from a Little Dog

I have five very special someones to thank for this column. Two have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and I'm very blessed to have three with me. Though four of them don't speak in human words, the lessons they've all given me through quiet and patient leadership by example I may never be able to pay back. Perhaps, in some way, I can "pay forward" by passing on what they've given me.

Love is loyal. No matter how many times the ball is thrown, I'll always come back; with or without it.

Love listens intently, even if the listener doesn't understand every word. Trust the heart to translate.

Hands are for petting and saying "I'm here, still loving you."

Love speaks with a completely honest heart and from the best motives.

Wet kisses and warm snuggles always lighten the saddest heart.

No one needs to pray or cry alone if your best buddy is close.

Take some time to chase butterflies, even if you don't catch any. The pleasure is in doing something a little silly and a lot of fun together.

Ice cream tastes better when shared. One bowl, two spoons, please!

Some say it best by saying nothing at all. One loving "lean" is worth a mouthful of "I love you's". Humans squeeze hands -- it's the same thing.

Being a willing listener is likely to get you hugged.

Love is for always. If someone has ever loved you, you will always have that moment with you. These moments are the only thing we can take across the Rainbow Bridge with us. The more you have, the lighter they all seem.

The one who waits patiently for you to arrive deserves lots of kisses. Kisses are easy to make and there are always more to give away.

Someone misses you every time they don't see you, even if you're just in the next room.

Joyous greetings are always in order when your love returns, even if you've only been apart for a little while.

Petting the fur-kid does just as much good for the human doing the petting.

Saturday afternoon naps with your best friend refresh the body and restore the soul. G'd doesn't mind a bit of slacking, when it's in the name of love and friendship.

If you lead with love, those who love will follow you to the end of the earth -- and jump off if you do. If you try to shove from behind with fear and domination, you will be avoided and left unloved. Nobody loves a bully. Even wolves and little dogs know this; humans are still catching up.

In the arms of one who loves you is the safest place in the world.

Happy sighs say it all. Puppysize say even more.

In memory of Sally

Today brought the sad news that the longtime companion of someone I consider to be a friend, ally and partner for peace, made her transition over the Rainbow Bridge. Sally, a dalmation, nearly made it to a venerable age of 16; quite elderly for her kind.

It's difficult to lose a human family member; even moreso with a four-legged companion or "fur-kid". They don't use our language, but we learn to communicate with one another through the eyes and from the soul out. The effort -- and the rewards in loyal friendship -- exact such a toll for their loss that it seems there is often little comfort to be found. Each companion is a singular gift from a G'd who loves us so much, that He would craft such pure and beautiful friendship to put into our lives.

But it is because of this gift of selfless love, to have had it and to have appreciated it, that we can eventually find the strength and resolve to go on; to continue being the best friends we can to one another in appreciation for that love. Such is the truest reflection of the love our Creator has for us.

Susan and Charlie, no one cries or prays alone in my presence. My faith comforts me that Sally will be sunning in soft, green grass just on the other side of The Bridge, accepting treats and nice scratches from those who've gone before us. You are people of faith as well, and I know that the Creator is just by your side. May The Greater send you comfort, for you are loved by many.

Willow Lore and Legends

Here are a few enjoyable sites that have stories about willows and willow legends. You see, the willow is a special tree to me; one that speaks of strength, flexibility, strong roots and wisdom. Good marriages are made of the same elements: strength to keep your love going through difficulties; flexibility to bend with and adapt to change; and strong roots in faith in one another and faith in The Greater. Wisdom will come of itself from the other three.

The bark of the willow is Good Medicine: it is used to bring down fevers and alleviate pain. The roots are especially aggressive so willows can make themselves useful in places where damp soil needs to be stabilized. The trunk is strong and stout, but in most varieties, the branches are flexible and wind-hardy. Several species yield wood that is used to make strong, long-lasting basketry.

And, like true love, willows are beautiful to behold. Weeping willows provide riverside shade and stabilize the banks; they’re also prodigious consumers of CO₂ and producers of oxygen. They respire a good deal of water, so it’s pleasantly cool where they’re gathered; sitting beneath one of these grandfathers on a hot summer’s day is a wonderful way to rejuvenate. Pussywillows show off beautiful little catkins, soft and beautiful in their own way. Curly willows colonize thickets and provide homes for wildlife.

Here are a few links you might enjoy, just for fun.

The White Willow

The Legend of the Willow Pattern

The Power of the Willow Tree

Osage Lesson of the Willow