So I'm currently in a C. S. Lewis phase (one I hope doesn't pass quickly) and I ran across this. It's for all who are sad because they're missing someone. I know I'm in that boat quite often. So, this post is brought to you by Clive Staples Lewis:
"Bereavement is a universal and integral part of our experience as love... It is not a truncation of the process, but one of its phases; not the interruption of a dance, but the next figure. We are 'taken out of ourselves' by the loved one while [he or] she is here. Then comes the tragic figure of the dance in which we must learn to be still taken out of ourselves though the bodily presence is withdrawn, to love the very Her [or Him], and not fall back to loving our past, or our memory, or our sorrow, or our relief from sorrow, or our own love."
This is from A Grief Observed. It's a book, but really a collection of journal entries from C. S. Lewis' own personal journal. He is writing shortly after his wife, Joy Davidman, passed away from cancer. It's beautiful, and has quotes like this and better scattered throughout.
This just made me think of how much I miss errbody and how much I find myself wishing I could go back to Provo, back to all of you wonderful, amazing people that are so deeply entrenched in my heart that I can never get you out, not even if I wanted to. I realize that we've got so many more adventures to come--better, more meaningful, more excellent, more fun, more perfect memories to make together. Like they say, life is to be lived forwards and understood backwards. I love all y'all, and I'm so excited to tell you all where I'm going on my mission, and so excited to see each and every one of you when I get back.
Wonderful quote. We were talking about something eerily similar in class last week. This sums up many of my feelings on the subject much better than I think I could. I've been meaning to read that book for years--should I take this as confirmation that I should get on that soon? :)
ReplyDeleteDon't apologize; good writing takes time. I, for one, and looking forward to it with the utmost anticipation, but don't rush it on that account. Or anyone's, for that matter.
I think I speak for us all when I say we miss you more than you will ever know. And I'm excited for your mission call!!
P.S. Allow me to nerd out for a second when I say that this is a beautifully crafted sentence with an even more beautiful meaning: "I realize that we've got so many more adventures to come--better, more meaningful, more excellent, more fun, more perfect memories to make together." <3
I can only say that I love this post so stinkin much.
ReplyDeleteoh, and I love everyone. :)
ReplyDelete