Words of Wisdom
I had the privilege of living and working with Mother Teresa and her community in Calcutta, India. My mother recently passed. There is nothing more powerful than the love of a mother for her child. Mom and Mother Teresa loved more in deed than word. Mom and Mother Teresa did small things with great love. Their love continues. Their love marches on. Their love beckons us to march on in love.
Silence
Use these words to enter into silent reflection. You may also want to reflect in writing in a journal.
Mom shared with me Rumi's words by way of invitation to move beyond judgment, to see that we need each other. We belong to each other, and as we look deeply and understand we are one, "even the phrase 'each other' doesn't make any sense."
Story
As a young child, I was terrified. How am I going to get to school? I’ll never find the way; and if I do, how will I find my way home?
I was five years old, excited but anxious about starting kindergarten. I would wake up with nightmares about getting lost on the walk to and from school. It was only 6 blocks or so from our house, but with two turns, it seemed daunting.
Mom walked me to school that first day, and met me after school to walk me home. The second day, she walked me 5 of the six blocks and said she’d meet me in the same place after school. The third day it was two blocks and one turn around the corner away. The fourth day, four blocks. The fifth day, the end of the first week, five blocks, two turns.
The second week I proudly told mom that I could walk to school on my own and no longer needed her help. It was only years later that I realized what mom had been doing - what she was modeling for me, teaching me – it had something to do with courage, care, and most of all, faith. She was teaching me to trust. Dr. King put it this way, “Faith is taking the first step when you can’t see the whole staircase.”
Song
I joined Alicia Keys at the Women's March in Washington in solidarity with millions of others who marched globally to lift up love, respect, and dignity, especially for those on the margins. My mom's love was present there; it led and inspired me there.
Mom's love marches on. I can't keep quiet. Feet on the ground. Not backin' down. We rise. Eyes on the prize. Love marches on. Mom's love marches on.