HOPE MONTH: DAY 13: “Even in the mud and scum of things, something always, always sings.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
This kind of hope is very reminiscent of recent events where I live, along with those places, all over the world, that undergo large and small disasters.
I remember (and, yes, I know I have written about this before!) that on the 3rd day of the fire, when the entire sky was black with soot, ash and smoke; as far as the eye could see, I heard a bird that I have had return to my yard over the last 4 years. He is bright yellow and orange, quite beautiful, and has a very distinctive cry.
He was about 30 feet away from my front porch, completely obscured to me, since visibility was less than 2 feet during that time. Then, a breeze blew strongly enough to let me see him in the tree on my neighbors’ property. There were few birds who stayed anywhere around. Even the seagulls quit flying around here for several weeks.
And there he was, singing the familiar and beautiful song he and his mate sing for me. I was so happy to see them. It truly felt like a beacon of hope and love and light in the midst of the horror that was going on all around us at that time.
Since then, I have heard other stories about things like this that sustained people I know here in the midst of fire and mudslides. We are always blessed in these times to remember that hope is the thing that comes when all seems dark.
We who are in recovery are gifted with this all the time. We have risen from the devastation of our own addictions and horrible lives to be given the opportunity to hear the song of recovery. It is beautiful and a beacon of light and love that allows our hearts to hope for better moments to come.
They always do. The beauty of life is that there is always a rainbow somewhere, always a bird singing its lovely song, always a flower or a tree or a child or a dog with a wagging tail. Some sign of hope and joy to lift us up from the abyss of our pain and anguish.
Addiction is a butt-kicking disease. How blessed we are to receive this antidote, this amazing reprieve from the devastation we create when we live in its grip. The gifts of God lay at our fingertips, waiting to be picked up and used to give us greater hope every day.
Dolphin Hug 