I think
that loss is a two-sided coin, with grief on one side and a gift on the
other. I’ve become so convinced of this
that, at moments of loss, I acknowledge the grief and wait for the gift. Today, I was at the funeral of Mary Robinson
White, a beloved leader of my family and community, who passed away a few weeks
shy of her 95th birthday. A
death at that age is not a surprise, and we can manage it with a certain
grace. But however much time we have
with our loved ones, it is never enough, and we grieve the pleasures of their
company. I kept thinking, “I’ll never
get another Christmas card from Mary White” and it made my heart ache.
At the
funeral, I was listening for the gift, and here’s what I heard Reverend Onaje Crawford say:
“Mary,
Mother of God, and Mary Magdalene – move over, there’s a new Mary in town!”
What was
the quality that elevated Mary White to that blessed circle of women? Mary, Mother of God, is adored for her
willingness, Mary Magdalene because she had the wisdom and spiritual grace to became
the apostle to the apostles. It is not
lightly that one makes such a comparison, and the comment was made laughing,
but not in jest.
Mary White
achieved in her life that most rare of Christian virtues: radical acceptance of
every person she ever met. Her acceptance touched us all, changing us, opening
our hearts to tolerance and joy. She did not preach virtue that I ever heard. She
just lived it in every breath of her life.
And so the
gift is that we got to see what the world might be like if we actually – each and
every one of us – followed the teaching of Jesus, to love God with all your
heart and love your neighbor as yourself. I feel so honored to have known such
a Mary.
Mary White, center in blue, on the occasion of receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Orange. |
4 comments:
Going to really miss her.
Much Love
Karen Wells
A beautiful tribute, filled with the wisdom of Mrs. White. Your gifts shine through. God bless us that Mrs. White loved us all.
Awesome post about "There's a New Mary in Town"
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