(Artwork from http://caitlinconnolly.com “Her Arms Grew Tired as she Held the World in its Place)
My sweet friend sent me the new painting from @caitlin_connolly_ today. The caption reads “her arms grew tired as she held the world in its place.”
Another dear friend also sent me this quote by Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross: “The Most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
The two together today offered me so much strength and comfort as I have literally felt the weight and responsibilities of being a single mom to my family living in a world that celebrates ideals. This weekend I had a moment of feeling like I was not capable of doing it alone. I doubted my strength and ability to be consistently strong for myself and my kids. This quote reminded me of all those around me that are “beautiful people” with their sensitivity of experience that offer me their compassion, gentleness and love for not just me but my children. In the painting as I see her hold up the weight of the world I can only imagine that below the picture where you can’t see there are so many others that are her strong foundation and base so that she can have the ability to hold up the world alone. Together we are a tribe to help each other. I am only able to be as strong as I am because of those that love me. As I have navigated new sad truths, continued to be hurt of his choices and faced the triggers of the reality of my life and the holidays this time last year I can only be strong because of those that mourn with me.
May we all take our heartaches and recognize our beauty in being a survivor and offer that love to someone in need. May our struggles, sufferings and losses become a blessing so we can see ourselves in the mirror as a beautiful person strong enough to not just hold the world up but to hold it in its place where heaven surrounds it from every angle. As we approach the holidays may we call upon help from the other side and pray to be an answer to someones prayers and be someones angel on Earth.