Tuesday, September 13, 2005

arrivals...

I've spent an inordinate amount of time in airport arrival halls over the past weeks. If you're depressed from watching too much CNN and doubting whether there's much goodness and love left in the world, I'd suggest spending some time in one of these underappreciated places...

Pretend you're waiting for a late plane and just watch... The random collection of strangers gathered -- people who will likely never cross paths again in life, but for a few moments are united by an air of expectancy... All eyes trained on sliding doors that open intermittently to expulge yet another ordinary traveller -- a nameless person who suddenly becomes alive and intriguing when connected with a smile, a face, open arms on the other side of the room...

Personal snapshots in a sea of strangers... The intimacy of a kiss, warmth of a hug, aloofness of a handshake, depth of tears... Overlapping languages and so much emotion crowded in one room... If I had to pinpoint one overwhelming feeling emerging from that scene I would call it joy. The momentary realization of knowing you are loved, and missed, and looked for...

Everyone in the world should know that moment.

:: "Sometimes I would rather that people take away years from my life than take away a moment." – Pearl Bailey

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

angels among us...

It's still Tuesday somewhere...

I don't really know what to say about life these days. Tonight I'm thinking about friendship, and how there's something so supremely powerful about it -- the bond of true friendship, tried through the best and worst of times...

In the midst of the evil, tragedy and sadness that surrounds us on a daily basis, seemingly striking ever closer, I have to believe there is still hope to be found. There are angels among us. I know this because I know some. They are the friends I have scattered across countries and time zones, who are with me and one another at a heartbeat's notice... They are the people I watch rise above the murky floodwaters of life and emerge as survivors... They are the resilient suffering who are as close as next door...

I have never been so convinced that Love is stronger than anything. Love is compassionate and redemptive. And Love is all that matters.

:: "Pain is our mother; she makes us recognize each other..." - Over the Rhine