Back To Black

I have felt oddly melancholy in the last few days, and while I am sure there are a number of contributing factors, the one that comes to mind first is the death of Amy Winehouse.

I know, I know. I barely knew of the singer, but I knew of her history of hideous addiction. It was clear to anyone with eyes to see that it probably wasn't going to end well for the young woman. I owned a couple of her songs, and found myself adding more to my digital repertoire in the last few days. And until Henry said "Mama, you must really like this singer, huh?", I didn't realize that I'd been listening to nothing but Ms. Winehouse for days.

The reasons for my blue mood are myriad: the month of my birthday brings memories of people I loved who died in July, including one very young woman who took her own life the day I was in the hospital giving birth to Xanthe. Her body was found one week later- - on my birthday - eight years ago. Amy Winehouse's passing means nothing to me because she was a celebrity, but it strikes me at my heart because she was such a gifted child of God. A short, soaring flight can feel as painful as it is beautiful. It makes me question the human condition and the nature of pain, and how each of us should consider how to alleviate another person's pain in this lifetime. We need help to find the path most of all when we least understand the cause of another person's pain.

A family member passes along magazines that they've read and no longer need; a gift I relish very much since I don't normally buy periodicals. One such hand-me-down included an article written by a woman who was inspired to put love into practice by simply asking the question "How can I love you better?" to everyone with whom she was close. As you might imagine, the answers she received sometimes came as quite a surprise to her. It's been on my mind ever since.

How many times do we give people what we think they need and fail to obtain the closeness and positive results we desire? Aren't there times when we should endeavor to give them what they want, too? Do we even take the time to find out what those things are?

I hope your weekend is a blessed one, that you take the time to ask even one person "How can I love you better?", and that you are prepared to hear their answer with an open heart and mind. Take care, friends.