Faith in Good

The last few weeks life has taken me to the west coast of Ireland, into the magic of the Azores, back to rainy Ohio and finally to a celebration of life in Indianapolis…

And these are the words that have traveled with me:

Faith.

Story.

Belief.

Wonder.

Nevertheless.

As is always the case with me, the cacophony rattling around eventually becomes thought. And always true to form, when I least expect it.

It was sitting in an Indiana sanctuary when the 5 words I carried through the magic of Tolkien’s Ireland and the mystery of the Azores’ volcanoes became real.

Living, breathing, palpable thoughts.

We met John just weeks after Val had.

Early into the evening, he asked me, “What do you do?”

To which I replied (without a moment’s hesitation), “I’m a writer.”

Crickets from the two people at the table who actually knew me.

Circa 2009, I was a stay at home mom, a yogi, a wine enthusiast and a professional carpooler. No longer a teacher, a salaried employee, nor yet a published author.

But when that sweet man looked at me, and genuinely gave a shit what I said, I answered him with an honesty I’ve experienced with few other humans. Dogs, yes. Humans, not so much.

So as I sat in that sanctuary and said good bye to my friend, those 5 words came alive.

Faith - knowing that there are a million things at play that cannot be seen is the cornerstone of imagination and peace.

Story - the alpha and the omega. Without story we cannot teach, we cannot empathize and we cannot become.

Belief - as formless and veiled as faith, having belief for another’s path and purpose and person is immeasurable. And unique.

Wonder - marveling at a winking hawk, at storms rolling across the Indiana farmland, at the joy of a shot of fireball is what gives meaning to this life thing.

Nevertheless - there is also joy. Always joy.

Thank you, my friend, for listening to my answer, for loving my friend fiercely, and for living a story full of faith, for embracing an unwavering belief in those you loved and for living through pain but nevertheless with wonder.

And, thank you, for giving me the courage to become that writer I claimed to be long before I ever was. You have no idea how many times I think on that night and smile.

You will be missed.

-Juli-

PS

One of my favorite lines from the service was “faith in good”. And now, that might just be my new motto.

When all else fails and the world gets too fucking loud, may I always have faith in good.