In the face of the relentless fires and other recent tragedies, I have been thinking about Love. Not the romantic kind, although that is wonderful, but the wider, deeper kind that can all too easily go unnoticed.
**“The meaning of life is to give meaning to life, and love is the ultimate force that connects all living beings.” This was written by Ari Mahler, RN, the Jewish nurse who cared for the man who gunned down 11 members of her own synagogue. She wrote of the irony of tending the man who hated Jews and who thanked her for her care. Even knowing who he was and what he had just done, she chose to show him empathy. She wants us all to know why and I am honored to pass on her words.
“Love. That’s why I did it. Love as an action is more powerful than words, and love in the face of evil gives others hope. It demonstrates humanity. It reaffirms why we’re all here.”
A week ago I was in a coffee shop, waiting for my latte, standing next to a group of Oakland Firefighters. The handsome young man next to me smiled and we began to chat. I like to thank Firefighters whenever I can so I thanked him and added “from Southern California!” Coincidentally, we discovered that he grew up just a few blocks from where i now live; he had gone up north for university and stayed. He shared how he had planned to become a lawyer but then decided that he could be of more service (his words) as a firefighter. There it is again – Love in action!
He also described the hyper-alert, adrenaline-charged life of firefighters now. “Each time the phone rings, there is an adrenaline surge. We wake up each day like that!”
As I grieve the destruction of Paradise and other towns, I think of him and the other casually laughing members of the group that had been sipping their coffees that morning. I think of the power of love that enables these men and women to go out towards the flames, when everyone-else is fleeing the other way.
I think of the people who are opening their homes to weary, frightened Ventura and Malibu evacuees (my daughter has 3 at her house) – that is Love! Of the volunteers helping at the shelters, and those who are caring for animal victims. The power of their empathy, compassion and love fills me with hope for our species.
Do you think that the witless critics, safely thousands of miles away, have any idea about this power of humanity to Love? Their judgments stemming, as they must, from a deep loneliness, bring into high relief the ultimate force of Love that connects all living beings.
While we grieve, let’s also watch out for when Love shows itself – and feel its power of connection!
** Nurse Mahler’s letter sent to me by another loving compassionate woman, Cynthia E.