Three years ago, I had the privilege of writing this piece for Kentaro's mother on the day of his passing. On this day, I thought it right to remind myself and the other mothers in our circle of this great truth. That being someone's mother is a sacred trust and it is worth it -- whatever state they come to us in, for however long, they are worth it.
For my friend Lisa, I am grateful that she is the mother to two beautiful children. Grateful that her magnificent spirit and care is known to her son Noah and was known to her daughter Ava. It is a miracle that these children were chosen to know her in this way. Truly, it is one of the great miracles of this life. I am grateful that she got to know what it was like to parent Ava and to love Ava by holding her and touching her and seeing her and talking with her. I am grateful that it is Lisa that is parenting Noah now in the loss of his sister Ava.
Above all things, I am grateful to know the heart of Lisa. One day we will be fully known. I often think of the day that I will be fully known to myself and to my Lord. It occurs to me today that not only will we be fully known to Him but that each heart will, one day, be fully known to those around us. And on that day Lisa's heart will be fully known by me, by her family, by her children, by all the people who have taken her family into their hearts. And that will indeed be a mighty and beautiful thing to partake of and enjoy.
November 2007 --
Kentaro Amano-Silber passed from this world today. He weighed one pound and was born last night. He has his mother's hands and his father's feet. He has a beautiful face. We knew him in expectant hope and in the belly of his lovely and loving mother. We saw him move and we knew him. She knew him. He is her son and she is his mother. And Kentaro has touched our lives deeply. When I spoke to his mother today I told her what I know about being a mother -- that it is worth it. Whatever state they come to us in, for however long, they are worth it all.
We honor his mother and his father and their families and we grieve that we are not holding him now. We love you, Kentaro and are grateful for the joy you brought to us and to your mother.
We honor his mother and his father and their families and we grieve that we are not holding him now. We love you, Kentaro and are grateful for the joy you brought to us and to your mother.
