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.”
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