This came from Elizabeth Gilbert’s Facebook fan page. I read it and wanted to weep. People come and go so inconsistently in my life sometimes that I don’t always believe they are really gone for good. I block off that space in my heart that belongs to them and don’t let anyone or anything in that spot. I want it to be there for the person when he or she does come back. I do that for people who have died too. Leaving that space empty is my way of honoring that person who is no longer on earth. No one or nothing can fill that spot.
Then I read this. Maybe instead of honoring people who are gone by empty spaces where they used to be, I should use my words and my love to create something that is worthy of being called beautiful. I can turn my mourning and loneliness into something that will honor what I have learned from the losses and maybe even help others going through similar things.
I don’t know yet what that might look like. I just keep going, and I pray one day I’ll figure it out.
Label Me With Love
Lying in bed
Laughing at the show on TV
Knowing it’s time to start learning
literature and language.
I put the light bulb in the lamp,
Then I hear a liquid leak from the sink.
This isn’t my lucky day.
Oh, well, I feel a little lonely
So I’ll go to the library
At least I’ll land at a table
Of other living (hopefully loyal) people
Who maybe one day will send me a letter.
Finding Our Voices Together 