hope moment

today I spent time with a friend

in the simple enjoyment of being together

sharing moments of our journeys

listening

responding

laughing

crying

touching

and I was reminded of a story

a true event

told by Jean Vanier

and I will quote from his writing

" A few years ago I visited a large institution in Brazil

It was about ten in the morning.

I was surprised to find a room

with about forty children with disabilities

still in their beds

and not one of them was crying.

Children only cry out when they know and hope

that someone will answer;

they will not waste their energies

if they are certain that nobody will hear.

They will close up in despair; they have no hope."

and I am deep in gratitude for those around me

those who hear me

those who touch me

those who heal me by accepting me

those who allow me to hear them

those who allow me to touch them

those who allow me to accept them

and again

I am filled with hope

so

hug someone

touch someone

listen to someone

and see

hear

and feel

this man Jesus

in the hug

in the touch

in the listening