We think we know.
We think we know clouds as we watch them drift in the sky above.
We think we know love – how it feels and how it looks.
We think we know life but only from our little bubble of existence.
And yet, every day we are presented with opportunities to stretch our minds and feelings. To look at things differently.
If only we look up with more interest.
Look deeper with more curiosity.
Look all about ourselves with the intention of seeing beyond our miniscule existence.
It helps me to take stock and reflect on the conversations with those I walk alongside at the end of my day and week.
I have listened to talk of dear friends of old.
A wish to see them before they die.
I have listened to wishes of being buried under a tree as we laid to rest, under an aged and gnarly apple tree, an injured pigeon we found.
One that took it’s last breath as we tenderly carried it home.
Talk of death.
Of burial.
Of lining the grave with leaves and hedge trimmings and back-filling it before decorating the top with fallen leaves and a few flowers from a pink geranium that’s preparing for the long winter ahead.
I have listened whilst someone shared about a fractured relationship.
Talk of insufferable physical pain and of how exhausting it is to be endlessly trying different medications to ease it.
A reminiscence of a life well lived. A life with imperfections and sorrow just as it is for all of us mortals.
But a good life all the same.
Talk of play and joy as we sang the hokey cokey.
And where we sat back in our chairs and and sang gently along to Joni Mitchel.
It’s a humbling experience to be leaning into love and life with those approaching the end of theirs.
Learning about their clouds.
Their love.
Their life.
And reminding myself how very little I know about love and life.
How very little any of us know about love and life.
We’re all just doing the best we can.
All of us winging it.
And I think that’s just grand.
That’s how it should be.
From Joni Mitchel – Both Sides Now
“I’ve looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say “I love you” right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I’ve looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I’ve changed
Well something’s lost, but something’s gained
In living every day
I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know life at all”
HELD 