July 24-C, 2022

The seasons come and go.
Our place is to let come what's coming
and to let go what's going,
without attachment
or affiliation.
Without preference
or partnership.

No expectation.
No agenda.
No plans.
No opinion.

Or, better, perhaps,
to love each one 
for what it is,
as one might love 
their children,
without thinking that one
is better than another
or favoring one over another.
But honoring all
for what they bring forth
in their life,
in all of life
as a grace
and a wonder
upon all who come their way.

And if they are not
a grace and a wonder?
What then?

Then meet their deficit
with compensation for their
inability to be compassionate and kind
by extending compassion and kindness
to them beyond their due,
and drawing lines on their behavior
and demeanor in ways appropriate to the occasion.

There are mental and emotional illnesses and symptoms,
just as there are physical illnesses and symptoms.
All are to be recognized for what they are
and treated accordingly.

We will do well to recognize
the need we are dealing with
and respond to the need
as best we can.

Anne Sullivan was able to do that 
with Helen Keller,
and made all the difference.

Studying the lives and methods
of caregivers
and adopting them as we are able
in our own life
and in our response to our environment
will provide us with skills 
far beyond our natural equipment
as a blessing upon all who come our way.

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