Dancing on a high wire
“The work of the mature person is to carry grief in one hand and gratitude in the other and to be stretched large by them. How much sorrow can I hold? That’s how much gratitude I can give.” Francis Weller
I walk and even dance on a high wire, balancing grief and gratitude.
There are times that the gravity of one tips me. My safety net is love. Thank you for being there to catch me.
Birthday hikes Mohonk 2011, Giant Ledge in the Catskills 2012, Peterskill Falls, 2014 and Pond Love 2016
Hugs, hugs, hugs ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Happy Birthday, Elise!
dearest Elise
I thought of you all day on your birthday…
what a profound and helpful image … sorry and gratitude in each hand.
I recall a poem by Goethe:
To their favorites,
the gods give everything in its totality
All of the infinite joys
All of the infinite sorrows
sending love
for the start of your new year
with gratitude for your bravery
Yes, that stretch…that balance, that very delicate and precarious balance. But when you hold both inside you, you are in a real way complete – shalom.
We are all honored and blessed to be part of the fabric of that love that is your safety net.
I don’t know how you could have expressed it more succinctly – I am ready to steady you, or catch you, anytime. Love,
Rabbi Jonathan
Thank you Rabbi Jonathan,
I also share gratitude with you for sharing the original quote with me…and Barbara Sarah too, who shared this gem with you.
PS. I was listening to Sheldon Harnick, the lyricist from Fiddler on the Roof, on Fresh Air on the radio last week, and these words are filling my head: “A Fiddler on the Roof – sounds crazy, no? But in our little village of Anatevka, you might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof, trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn’t easy.”
My heart is heavy for you… thanks for sharing these words. Much love on your birthday …Mary
There should be a lullabye
For the fully grown
Sung to ease a troubled mind
A heart that’s badly torn
Life can deal us cruel blows
Or simply wear us to the bone
There should be a lullabye
For the fully grown
Tumbling through the stream of days
Gaining polished, getting worn
Wondering where the power lies
When we feel forlorn
At times we need a mother’s hand
When we’re mothers on our own
There should be a lullabye
For the fully grown
There should be a lullabye
For the fully grown
Wish I could sing it for you, Elise.
Words, song by Jean Valla McAvoy
What a beautiful, powerful quote. love you xo
Elise, my gratitude to, and respect for you and your family, is immense. Through the sharing of your words and experience, you are breaking the denial that this community has clung to for several years now. And so as a consequence of your unspeakable loss, we are now the recipients of your priceless gifts. I can not be sadder that it has taken the life of your beautiful Maya, to wake up this town. We can not fall back into the denial…. Thank you’s barely express the impact your family and Maya are making on this community!! But I must say, Thank You! There is hope.
Elise. On this day when the sun is bright and warm through the overall cold I think of you and Mathew and Adin. I read and can see you continue to strongly Advocate for others although in your own process of grief. Thank you so much. I look forward to the concert at Studley.
LOVE TO YOU. Ellen B.