More Love

“Deep at the center of my being, there is an infinite well of love. I now allow this love to flow to the surface. It fills my heart, my body, my mind, my consciousness, my very being, and radiates out from me in all directions, and returns to me multiplied.

                                                   You Can Heal Your Life, Louise Hay

         In the twelve years of my ministry, I have officiated at a number of memorial services, many for individuals who died unexpectedly. In those services, there is always the energy of “should have” or “could have”. Even for those people who made their transitions after a long illness or from old age, there are usually family members and friends who feel they could have been more loving to the person while they were still alive. A song recorded by Al Jarreau a number of years ago touched my heart deeply because it reminded me that now is the time to let our loved ones know how much they mean to us. I realize that this song has many “shoulds” in it: I want to share it with you anyway. For this, I beg your forgiveness. In our teaching we don’t do guilt! However, I have so often seen the regret that people feel when they realize their opportunity is gone. So I respectfully request your indulgence in my sharing of the words of the song with you:

“I should have listened more and listened well --

I should have been your shelter in the rain.

I should have hugged you more and held you closer

‘Til I felt it melt your quiet pain.

I should have had more time to spare for you,

Should have been there for you, to care for you

With more love, more love.

I could have given you the gifts I threw to total strangers

Passing through my nights.

I could have cuddled near your gentle flame,

Been warmer there than in these glaring lights

I should have had more time to spare for you,

Should have been there for you, to care for you

With more love, more love.

What would it have taken if I only could have taken

My eyes off myself for a while?

I’d have seen the hurtin’ hidin’ just behind the curtain of your smile.

But if I say enough, and try enough, and pray enough, and cry enough,

I can, still can have more time to spare for you,

always be there for you, to care for you with more love, more love.”

The months of May and June are associated with weddings, new love, and spring. I urge you to take the opportunity of this lovely time of year to let the people in your life know how deeply you care for them. This is your opportunity to do so -- don’t miss it!

                                                                                                          Rev. Kathleen Scott