Sunday Morning Message - “OLLY”
Good morning…
I hope this finds you and all those in your circle of love healthy and happy.
My wife and I went to a party where we only knew the host. When we arrived most of the other guests were already there, seated in a large circle and had began playing a game. It was a little uncomfortable since we did not really know anyone else, the game had already started and there wasn’t really any room for us to sit. But they all shifted over, found chairs for my wife and I and that’s when I saw Olly. She was your stereotypical looking grandmother; old, short, white hair, glasses. But she had this glow about her and a wonderful smile that greeted us and made us feel comfortable right away. She was full of life and loved to talk. I didn’t have to say anything, just enjoyed listening to her wisdom and perspective on life. There’s a saying that when the student is ready the teacher arrives. Well, I was the student and I was sitting very close to the teacher and I embraced the moment.
While sharing with us, Olly said something that I will never forget. She was remembering her late husband and the love they had for each other. Then there was a quiet moment. I looked at my wife, smiled and held her hand. When I looked back at Olly, I noticed her being very still and quiet for the first time, and very intently focused on our hands. She paused and then said, “That is what I miss the most…”
It was one little sentence that seemed to carry the weight of the world. I felt everything that was behind that simple statement. I asked her how long it had been. She answered twenty-five years since her husband had passed. I sat there frozen with emotion. I looked at my wife wondering what that would be like; to have lost your soul mate, best friend, spouse, to live on for twenty-five years without them, and then while looking at a couple holding hands and say what you missed the most was “Holding their hand”, well, it almost brought me to tears. I hugged Olly and thanked her.
I embraced the moment, the teacher, the lesson and I pray that I never forget it. I pray we all remember what is truly important in life and that we embrace the moments that we seem to stumble upon hoping we grow and learn from every one of them.
- tjd
