It was a drawing class and you
were excited by your first nude. The art
college had arranged for a sitter and the entire class of art students were
ready for this new challenge. I
remember being amused by your description of the reality of that first session. Into the art room walked a large rumpled
middle-aged woman whose flesh folded in creases, varicose veins in abundance,
cellulite tricky to catch on paper, puckered like her upper lip. What a shock you all had from the
much-expected smooth pink stained cheek with velvet youthfulness on
display. A real lesson in drawing and
in life that day, two hours of detailed depressing preview on aging for those
just beginning their youth.
I have happy memories of you
sitting on the carpet, leaning against your Dad’s knee as laughter ran out in
the home in St Austell. Family should
be like this, I thought all the faces filled with smiles and huge gales of
laughter. More tales shared, music ever
present and food, abundant tasty food.
Your Mum weaving everyone together with her smile, letters, visits and
love. Do you remember how she screamed
in delight when a son or daughter appeared on the path outside the
house. Arms held wide open as if to
greet and thank the universe at this magical spectacle.
You moved to London and had two
jobs. Even this did not dampen your
enthusiasm or serve to exhaust you.
Youthful energy drove you on and when you moved to Northern Ireland with
a bunch of friends we delighted in your company. Having you close by was a treat we took for granted. Your generosity was constant and how many
lovely meals did we have from your hand.
You bought my sons, toddlers, tiny cute judo outfits and they delighted
in wrestling you to the ground. Your
home a designer’s dream of grey and chrome and the air full of fresh ideas,
business ventures, painting and friends.
Then your own kids arrived in
abundance four bundles of love who gravitated to your side and I remember you
lying on the floor covered in small toddlers and babies clinging joyously. Jostling for the best position. I watch as you have continued to draw people to you,
kindness is such a rare commodity in this world. So
not surprising to find you, even now, years later with a large extended family of
friends, neighbours and associates. Your home is fortunately large enough
to accommodate all these people.
I sense the load has grown as of
late and the glow of kindness is still there but a price has been paid. Is it ever so that gentle kindly souls are
burdened beyond endurance? I reckon all
of us, on rare good days can cloak ourselves in the array of kindliness and
goodwill. Smiling benevolently at this
world, wishing all in it well. However,
certain rare individuals seem to have kindness imprinted to their core, like a
stick of rock. Even when worn down,
weary to the core they continue to impart love and service to those around
them. It is such a privilege to know
such souls and they remind me of that high standard we should all aspire to.
“Should other peoples and nations
be unfaithful to you, show fidelity unto them; should they be unjust towards
you, show justice towards them; should they hold aloof from you, attract them
to yourselves; should they disclose enmity, be friendly to them; should they
poison your lives, sweeten their souls; should they inflict a wound upon you,
be a salve to their hurts.”
Baha'i Writings
