I followed the path round past the gravestones old and new, stones placed on some of the bases, teddy bears strewn on others. I had to cut across them to reach her, treading carefully so as not to trip over and offend anyone resting peacefully. All the others seemed crowded together, no room between them. And then I came to her, set all alone in her own space. A lonely tribute which fitted the end of an isolated life.
My mind was full, mulling over problems which have to be dealt with and problems which I had no easy solution to. Answers came easily, it was getting to the end result without causing too much distress which was the issue.
As I stood infront of her, reading again the long remembered words inscribed on the stone, the wind picked up and the skys clouded over. I looked down at the grave, "Don't you want me to be here?", I whispered into the strenghthening breeze. The wind increased and I felt as if I was being pushed but I didn't move, I just stood and listened to the voice behind the wind. And then it came to me on the crest of the wind, 'No matter how strong the wind blows, stand strong like a tree, keep your roots embedded in the ground and nothing can topple you over'.
And then slowly, the wind eased and the sun warmed the air again. My mind for that moment was at peace. Then for the first time in a long time, the tears came, for the wisdom that I miss on a daily basis from my Mum was shared with me once more.
1 comments:
This is a lovely post. It's great to stand strong as a tree with your roots embedded, but consider as well the words of Rabbi Eliezar: "At all times you should be soft as a reed, not rigid as a cedar." If you're prepared to move with the wind whilst keeping your roots firmly planted, you have even less of a chance of toppling over.
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