I am praying and writing in the side chapel of our chapel. Hanging above and to my right is a framed work of art from South Africa made of red-hued wood, portraying four students sitting together with their teacher under a tree. Nearby is an image of a young Jesus, flanked on either side by his parents. Beneath this image, to its right, stands a cross on a ledge and an icon of mother and child that leans against stained glass. Sunlight streams through the window, creating red, white, yellow and blue patterns all around it.
Years ago, as I was sitting and praying with colleagues in this same sweet, sacred space, a waking dream was gifted to my mind’s eye and lodged in my heart, where it still lives— that of a bonfire on a beach of white sand, with the dark blues and greys of ocean waves hitting the shore, their soft roar the soundtrack to a scene that unfolds.
As the waves roar and the bonfire crackles, three human figures emerge, drawn by the light of the fire. In the blink of an eye, they find themselves dancing and moving in effortless, clockwise synchrony, around that fire. And as the dance continues, encircling the fire, more and more people are drawn to join the dance — all moving and dancing together (… like a flock of geese flying … or a school of fish swimming … ) in hypnotizing, mesmerizing, peaceful, gorgeous grace; all moving together as one body, around that singular fire. And the number of people moving and dancing all together in sweet, sacred synchronicity around that fire on that beach is so great, the white of the sand becomes hard to see; there are so many people.
We here at Redeemer have been gifted with a season of dancing with Freda Marie and Rebecca among us; their wisdom and joy, strength and grace, light and love informing and enlivening our common life together as we seek to follow and to embody the Light of Christ in our world.
My heart aches and breaks as I allow myself to feel the grief of this season coming to an end. My heart fills and expands as I allow myself to feel gratitude for knowing and loving them; for being known and loved by them; for all we have shared; for having been gifted with a season to dance and serve together as sisters, colleagues, friends.
(I imagine, perhaps, your heart may be feeling similar things … )
We will continue, of course, to dance by the light of God’s grace, even as Freda Marie and Rebecca begin to dance on different shores. As they leave us, others will join our dance, marking a new season and a new chapter of this, our unfolding, ongoing dream.
To my sisters:
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of Her hand.
(Irish blessing)
In the words of Dag Hammarskjöld (Swedish economist and statesman who served as the second secretary-general of the United Nations): “For all that has been, Thank You! For all that is to come, Yes!”
Love,
Cristina