love is the way

I got a call this week from a woman asking me if I would be able to print about 50 copies of one of my greeting cards for her.

Of course.

The past weekend was her husband’s funeral.  She wanted to send a hand written card to the people dearest to both of them.  After hearing this, I wanted to make her the most beautiful card, one that would have meaning and might lift her up in some small way.

She told me a few of the things he used to say all the time like, “Love is the way.  I walk in gratitude,” and “Teach only love.”   He sounded like a man who lived with an open heart.

I thought about my mother and how hard it was for her when my dad died.  I have a vision of her at the funeral with people on either side, each holding an arm, holding her up.  I remember thinking that when the one you love dies, it is too hard to even stand up.  I was 15-years old.

As I was listening to this lovely woman telling me about her husband, I felt such deep compassion for her.  I believe this is the gift of pain and heartache.  It makes us more compassionate, more understanding and able to connect deeply with others.  I’ve never lost a husband to death, but I have grieved the death of my father and my first husband who left our marriage.  Loss is hard.  I remember hearing Byron Katie say that grief is love.  We think we are grieving, but really we are feeling deep love for the person who died.  That makes me want to cry just thinking about it.

I believe her husband was right.  Love is the way.