The Power of Love at the Heart of Grief:Reflections after the Death of Senator Kennedy
During these last 3 days I have had the blessed opportunity to watch the power of love in action. My home state of Massachusetts lost a beloved senator and the nation has lost a wonderful statesman. Regardless of your political beliefs, if you watched the events of the past 3 days you could not help but notice the incredible power of love in word, in deed and in action.
I noticed how one of Maria Shriver's nieces tenderly moved her strands of hair and Maria smiled. (Maria Shriver just buried her mother and her father suffers from end stage Alzheimer's disease).
I noticed how thousands of strangers gathered in peace and in love to pay tribute to a man who overflowed with love, joy and life and laughter. I saw the Kennedy family greeting thousands of strangers outside of the Kennedy Library with a hug, a warm handshake, a tender smile.
I heard so many people speak from their heart to share how they experienced the love and laughter and life of Senator Kennedy.
I observed how a man's life could be exposed with all of his vulnerabilities and how in the end, the love he showed for others is what prevails. That love was palpable and was the powerful weave that enabled the Kennedy family to bid a loving farewell to Senator Kennedy.
I saw how love can transform the pain of grief.
As I listened to the words of Ted Kennedy,Jr, he shared the story of how his father taught him he could overcome the challenge of losing a leg to cancer. He carried him up an icy hill after his leg was amputated and instilled in him the power of hope and courage and a can do attitude because he surrounded his son with love and strength. Although I did not know that love and strength from parents when I faced the challenge of polio, when I heard this story, I felt blessed by the love that Ted Kennedy showed for his son in that moment.
I felt that my own parents shortcomings were transformed and forgiven by the power of Ted Kennedy's love. In that one moment so many years ago, with a small gesture of love to his son, millions of peoples' hearts were touched and blessed through his son's sharing of that memory. The love from that moment goes out into the world and is immortal.
In the drive to create and manifest and figure out what's next, I forget to stop, take a spiritual inventory and celebrate who I am, the blessings in my life and all that I have to be grateful for.
In planning for the future, it is easy to rob myself of the joy in the moment. These last three days of watching the wake and funeral for Senator Ted Kennedy has been a wonderful wake up call in my life.
In the end, love is all that matters.
In the end, how I have lived my life, whom have I blessed by my presence, how have I served God and made a difference and leave the world a better place than when I came into it is what matters.
As I move forward having been deeply touched by the Senator's life and legacy, I shall remember to stay focused on spreading the power of God's love through my actions, words and deeds.
Mary McManus is the author of "New World Greetings:Inspirational Poetry and Musings for a New World". She donates 20% of proceeds of book sales to Spaulding Rehab's Polio Fund. You can contact Mary via her website at www.newworldgreetings.com
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