My little neighbor friend turned five. She invited me for her
birthday party. She was excited to turn five this summer and proudly beamed she
would be going to kindergarten. Eloise is a very precocious, intense and
playful five year old. She’s a delight to be with and I have learned so much
from her. Most of us really need a
five-year-old friend to keep us grounded in life.
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| (Photo of Eloise's picture by Trish Dick, OSB) |
Yesterday she gave me one of her drawings. She was befuddled
about how to draw a five so her mom drew a five on the paper so she could trace
it. She made a grand picture for me but decided the five wasn’t how she liked
it, so she started over and made her five and then quickly realized her name
wouldn’t fit on the page. No problem -- she would write the rest of the letters
to her name below. She proudly gave it
to me to hang on my refrigerator.
Eloise taught me that there is beauty in our imperfection. Actually,
there is an abundance of life in not getting things right. What mattered the
most was her generosity and purity heart in giving this gift. There was no
shame in her letters below the five and that is exactly where they needed to
be. I mean where else would you put the letters when there is plenty of room
there?
Every day for the Benedictine way of life is a turning – a
conversion of our heart. Let us cast our imperfections upon the Everlasting
love of God and enjoy the beauty of grace. This is true holiness and purity of
heart. Embrace the life of conversion – finding beauty in imperfection and adapt
the letters of your life where needed.
Trish
Dick, OSB
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