Remembering Sharon

It was there for just a moment

A flash of red hair

A glimpse of freckles, rampant

the echo of laughter

free and joyful

the rush of a body

impatient for the next new thing

eager

It was there for a moment

that smile that would light up a room

they were there for moment

those eyes,

so intense, so full of curiosity, sometimes bewilderment

and always full of compassion

those eyes that took you in and held you

in the grip of love

she was there for a moment

Sharon

full of grace and joy

and life

a presence

always a presence

grounded in her love of God

and her love for others

there is power in presence

a power in that unique an amazing ability to be present

really present for others

to see no other

than that one special child

that one special co-worker in front of you

she was there for a moment

and then she was gone

on to whatever new adventure awaits her

she was there for a moment

but she will be there for all moments

for her presence permeates

the building she worked in

the community she served

that land she loved

the man who was her partner and lover

For so many years Sharon carried each of us in her heart

and now

we carry her in ours

____________________________________________

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

                                                                e.e. cummings