“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” -St Paul

Thanksgiving Day yesterday. Families and friends gather. There is food. There is rejoicing. And there is mourning. There are empty seats, once filled by the ones we loved…love. There are new loves, new rejoicings, new sufferings, fresh griefs. But of course, this is the constant of life. The beauty. The devastation.

And if we are lucky, we develop the capacity to rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn.

And when we ourselves are the ones who mourn, we are grateful for those who will mourn with us. 

And when we sense the urge to rejoice, to give thanks, we express that fully. Both are true. Both are real. Both are necessary.

Here’s to the courage and grace to rejoice and mourn.

Eyes wide open, Chinwe