Love Lives On

These days, as my number of years increases, I find myself gaining new perspectives and insights. I suppose that experience is not unique to me, but rather one of the significant gifts that come with aging. A great deal of earlier life seems to be spent figuring out whether to go “gee” (right) or “haw” (left), to borrow from equine terms. With the passing of years, however, we begin to strive more intentionally to proceed straight forward carefully, thoughtfully, as best we can.

One new thought surfaced as the first anniversary of my good friend, Jean’s death approached. A new notion came to mind as I recalled the phrase, “Life is changed, but not ended.” In the past, I had always associated its meaning with the future life of the deceased, an encouragement to focus on their continued existence in the often-referenced ‘hereafter.’ But this time, with new insight, I found the subject of the phrase had become me.

While my longtime friend’s earthly life has come to its close and continues now in unimaginable ways beyond this world, I realized that my life, especially regarding our shared relationship, has also undergone a change, but continues.

“The friends we have lost do not repose under the ground... they are buried deep in our hearts. It has been thus ordained that they may always accompany us.”

— Alexandre Dumas, in The Count of Monte Cristo

Jean’s physical presence may be gone, but our connection, the shared memories, and the influence she has on my life are still very much alive. And so, my life too is changed yet continues to be so richly blessed.

-Sister Nancy Wales, csj

Images: le Sixième Rêve/Sixteen Miles Out | Unsplash

The UN Celebrates Friendship

I just found out that the United Nations has an International Day of Friendship. Honestly, at first, I was a bit surprised. With everything to deal with on the UN’s plate, why would they focus on something as simple as friendship? Why dedicate a whole day to it?

But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.

Back in 2011, the UN General Assembly designated July 30th as International Friendship Day. Their rationale was that friendship, whether between individuals, communities, or even countries, can help bring peace, close divides, and encourage understanding. We can easily underestimate how powerful those small human connections are, especially when the news is so full of conflict and division.

The UN Charter itself highlights this agenda:

“To practice tolerance and live together in peace
with one another as good neighbours.”

These days, just talking about being good neighbors feels like a quiet act of protest against all the chaos out there. It is a reminder that peace isn’t only about big treaties or negotiations. It is about how we treat each other every day. It is those personal acts of kindness, openness, and empathy.

Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize winner, put it simply:

“We may have different religions, different languages,
different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.”

“Friendship and love can cross all boundaries. They can survive every difference and division. That is how peace begins — with us reaching out beyond our walls.”

— Desmond Tutu

That really is at the heart of it. When we build friendships across differences, we start to understand each other better. We stop seeing people as “other” and start seeing them as fellow humans. Friendship most likely does not show up in official diplomatic documents, but it is often what makes real, lasting peace possible.

So now, when July 30th rolls around, I will think about International Friendship Day. It is not just a date on the calendar. It is an important reminder that every time we choose connection instead of division, compassion instead of indifference, we are quietly building peace.

Let’s be peacemakers every day. Honestly, that is exactly what the world needs more of right now.

-Sister Nancy Wales, csj

Image: 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič/Unsplash

Love Arising

Recently I was gifted with a lovely painting done by Sister Dorothy Ann Howley.  I was struck by the way in which it spoke to me and I offer this reflection/poem for your own personal use, if it is helpful.

Circling, ever circling,

The energy created.

Circling, ever circling

it sends us forth to be

the source of Love for all

to be to see.

We are that heart that beats

We are that drum that pounds

So on we must go

To where we n'ere have been

All is steady,

All is ready

for life unfolding

for Love unfolding

-Sister Kathleen Lichti, csj

Love Arising
My heart beats,

The drum pounds.

My heart pounds,

The drum beats

All is steady,

All is ready

for life unfolding

for eyes beholding

Feather-like she rises,

Gracefully so easily.

Heart ablaze with Love

with Love do we arise