Froth and Bubble

“Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone.
Kindness in another's trouble,
Courage in your own.”

Adam Lindsay Gordon—19^th century Australian poet and politician

At the Old St. Pat’s (Chicago) livestream mass last weekend, Monsignour Kenneth Velo shared this above quote from 19^th century Australian poet, Adam Lindsay Gordon. 

I have thought about it nearly continuously since Sunday.

Two things in our lives are most important: kindness towards “the other” and courage in yourself. I just love it. 

And how perfectly applicable to these times.

Every single one of us is needing to be extra courageous these days. There are humans suffering and dying alone in hospital beds.  There are nurses, doctors, and other hospital staff importantly doing their work amidst all this chaos. There are parents at home with their infant child—not able to allow anyone else nearby for support. There are adults and children with disabilities, trying to access the services that they have always needed—and quite possibly with less assistance than usual and necessary. There are elderly men and women—isolated in their small nursing home rooms, craving much-needed interaction. There are deployed military personnel, unable to return home to their families due to flying restrictions. There are moms and dads juggling "home-schooling" their children while also trying to manage their professional lives. There are high school and college seniors, missing out on days, weeks, and months that they have dreamt about for years. There are families scraping to get by-- families who were already living in poverty and now have these additional challenges. There are parents and young persons losing their jobs. There is so much uncertainty. There is so much fear.

Yet, at this time, we are called—more than ever—to be kind to one another… to be light for one another… to be Christ for one another. St. Teresa of Avila shared this amazing prayer that has always touched my heart and fueled me to be better:

“Christ has no body now but yours.  No hands, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on the world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good; yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.”

In this tragic, ever-changing time, we are being called to be kind to one another. I know we’ve all seen and heard of kind acts in our communities.  Baked goods and donated food items for hospital personnel working the front lines. Makers sewing masks around the clock to keep one another safe and protected. Grandparents walking miles to their children’s homes, just to look in the window at their new grandbaby. Young folks grabbing groceries for elderly neighbors. An Italian priest selflessly giving up his ventilator for a younger person. Children making cards to share with those who are lonely. Grandchildren, sons, and daughters hurriedly teaching their elderly loved ones to use Zoom, Facetime, and other means of virtual connection.  Strangers waving and making small-talk on the streets—from six feet away, of course!

With the “Shelter in Place” and “Safer at Home” mandates, we are being challenged to be super creative in how we are able to tangibly share love for our brothers and sisters. I have faith in us, though.  Faith in the world. Faith that we will band together and emerge stronger as a people.

While I feel disheartened and worried about many aspects of our current crisis, I also feel grateful to be so intimately connected to fellow humans across the globe at this time.

 Tell me: how will YOU and your family choose to spread kindness today? How will you demonstrate your courage and love for yourself and others?

[Sidenote: I am currently sitting in a hospital bed. I am not sick—I am merely bringing a life into the world!  This little piece of writing is helping me shift my focus off of my regular contractions. What a time to welcome a new child, right?!  While it is far from ideal, I am choosing to find the positives and am hopeful that this little cherub will make his or her way into a world that is kinder, more connected, and more compassionate than ever. Also, we are graciously accepting all prayers for a healthy babe and a safe and smooth delivery!]

Be well, my loves!  And please—take care of one another!