Remaining

Even though today is Saturday, and the sun is shining I found it hard to focus while sipping on my coffee because of the perceived darkness.

Reading my email and slowly munching on an almond croissant from Common Good, I opened one relating to John O’Donohue, the late Irish poet, philosopher and former Catholic priest.

One sentence caught my eye and I realized how applicable the words were for me on this September morning,

“The glory of God is the human being fully alive.”

Obviously, there is no excuse for age, infirmity or even boredom. All of which were the clouds I allowed to destroy a late summer morning when I had the comfort of simple pleasures, hot coffee, a fresh croissant and of course, the wonderful, but oft controversial, Maureen Dowd.

I wonder how many other mornings or afternoons on my long journey I have permitted the excuse of age, lonliness or boredom to block out the glory and gift of merely being alive.

The lurid headlines, the chronic political anxiety and the ebbing confidence set up roadblocks sometimes difficult to maneuver.

Yet when I reflect on the simple sentence I read this morning, I know the message is clear.

And I pray I am able to remember it and remain fully alive until ny last breath.

I rather doubt it will make my gait more limber, or erase lonliness, but I do believe it will once again enhance the many pleasures of life that I have allowed to sink into shadow.

I will begin to erase the sadness of lost love, and linger in the memories of the time we were blessed to share as a family.

I will savor every bite of the ice cream when I permit myself an indulgence.

I will consider it an unexpected plus of old age, when I stay up beyond midnight engrossed in “The Killing” on Acorn TV,

And hopefully, never forget John O’Donohue’s words which will allow more laughter, and less useless guilt.