Holly leads the round-up of Spiritual Thursday posts, and she usually tweets out a topic early in the week. This week she told us to write about what is on our hearts.
I am thinking about words, the power of what you say. I am an introvert and as such, I usually think about what I am going to say before I say it, or more likely, think about what I should have said.
Why did I say that? I sounded so arrogant. What must she think of me?
I can mull over a conversation for days. I calm myself with self talk. She probably has totally forgotten about it by now. Don’t worry. Remember you are forgiven.
During Sunday’s sermon, Fr. Matt reminded us that words matter. He told a story of a father and son who when the father was close to dying, they learned to say “I love you” to each other. He continued by giving us 5 things you should say to a loved one who is dying: 1. I love you. 2. I forgive you. 3. Will you forgive me? 4. Thank you. 5. You can go now.
Sometimes when your world grows, your heart grows too. I now have a world of friends through blogging and connecting online with Facebook and Twitter. One of these friends lost her husband this week. I cannot know the grief that Bonnie Kaplan is going through, but I am sure she spoke these important words to her husband. Through her words on her blog, she exposed her breaking heart. Those of us who read her letters to Tuvia on the days from heart failure to death know that she spoke the words that matter.
When someone dies, we are sadly reminded that words do matter. But we should know this every day. Let’s say the words we feel to the ones we love. Don’t wait until tragedy comes. Breathe them out with every breath–I love you, I forgive you, I thank you…every day.
Below is a video posted by Bonnie in which she reads a love poem by ee cummings to Tuvia, “I Carry your Heart.”
Beautifully written! I love you, Margaret and I am so glad to call you my friend. Sending prayers to Bonnie & her family. Have a good day. Xoxoxo Jen
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Margaret, such touching words spoken this morning. Truth-you are introvert??? I would have never known this. I think of you as a gentle soul so perhaps that should be your thought about yourself. Words Matter. Thank you for sharing Bonnie’s video. I did not know that her husband passed. Time to lift up his life in honor of all that he did.
Love this: “Let’s say the words we feel to the ones we love.” Thanks for sharing Fr. Matt’s words with us. They’re going in my notebook.
I was at a funeral for a friend’s father this morning.Your post speaks beautiful truth.
I read this yesterday, followed your path to Bonnie’s video, and then never came back to thank you for this piece, rich with connections and heart.
Kevin
Words definitely do matter – God reminds us of that often in Scripture. I understand what you mean about worrying about things you say – I do, too!! In fact, I woke up worrying about something I said a week ago!! Ugh. I am so sorry to hear about Bonnie’s husband passing. Like Carol, I didn’t realize that. Thank you for your beautiful words this week. The video made me cry.
[…] Bonnie’s words have affected me, too. Your poem response is beautiful as are the words that follow. We do grow to be friends in this digital connection. Made stronger through the writing, I believe. I feel that for you. I feel that for Bonnie. I wrote about her, too. https://reflectionsontheteche.wordpress.com/2015/08/27/words-matter/ […]