Making it for the Long Haul

As we look out at our world, near and far–at family, friends, acquaintances, the families of friends and friends of our family, at others once removed or removed by six degrees of separation–we probably can’t help noticing that not everyone is making it in the way that they wish they could be making it.

Those who are still here and those who have passed on may be having trouble, or have had trouble, making it for the long haul. Did the ones who are no longer here think of themselves as making it while they were here? Or were they struggling to keep pace with those around them, with their own expectations and with the expectations of family, friends, acquaintances, families of friends and friends of family, with others once removed or removed by six degrees of separation?

Have you noticed that suicide is on the rise? One way to notice this is to read the statistics. Another is to notice when a friend or acquaintance tells you that someone in their extended family (a child, niece, nephew, distant cousin) has ended their life. If that happens inside your own immediate family, you may find yourself attending Survivor of Suicide support group meetings, where you will meet others who have been directly affected by this rising epidemic. Then you may recognize a little more fully how hard it is for some people living in our world to construct something out of their individual circumstances. You may see a bit more clearly that not everyone wants to be here.

For those who have already moved on from this life because they found it did not give them a place of intimacy in which to live their lives, let us send them our prayers.

For those who are still here and struggling, may you have dreams of what you hope can come into your days and may those dreams bear nourishing outcomes; and if what you hope for doesn’t come your way, may what does come nourish your spirit with the rewards of discovery, understanding and friendship.

May all those who are no longer here be in a place free of regret. May they now be warmed by the light of a peace they didn’t find while they were here among us.