Written by Jan Finley
One of the pages I follow on Facebook is a local wildlife rescue. Recently a tiny bobkitten came into their facility. His mother was deceased and he had been alone for several days. Little Rufus was extremely debilitated but so sweet and adorable. Every day I (and others) eagerly watched his progress on Facebook, minute steps as they were. He made some progress but it seemed like for every step forward, there were several backward. About 15 days after his arrival, and despite a courageous battle, little Rufus succumbed.
The director of the facility wrote a touching piece memorializing Rufus, and lamented her growing attachment during Fergus’s care. The job – truly a vocation – this woman embraces so willingly takes tremendous commitment, courage and responsibility. She wrote eloquently of how diligently she tried not to get attached to this little being and how she still fell in love with him. Her words were raw and incredibly real. Anyone who works with wild creatures knows that distance is needed in the relationship between wounded animal and human care giver. This is necessary so the animal does not become tamed and unable to return to the wild. Even so, when one works to heal another, animal or human, a bond is created. In this case, the director fell hard for little Rufus.
Reading of Rufus’ passing was heart wrenching. I, like many others, were rooting for him and felt keenly his loss.
I began to wonder at our very human need to regulate how we love and when we love. Our need to not get attached in certain situations. From every analytical viewpoint I could find, I came back back to a single thought. We humans are meant to love. As painful as it can be at times, the act of loving is why we are here. The act of physically caring for another can create connection, sometimes whether we want to or not.
This woman’s commitment arose from a desire to help, to heal and to care for the wild creatures that surround us. Her heart and devotion are a gift to us all. Her vulnerability is her true strength, and her compassion is one of the highest forms for love.
And so I am told:
Love is always the answer, no matter how it is disguised. Call is kindness, call it compassion, call it forgiveness, call it willingness…it is all the same.
Be willing to open. Be willing to listen. Be willing to nurture. Just be willing…
Love is always the answer. Do you understand why? Love meets in the middle. Love finds a way to make it work. Love forgives. Love starts anew. Love remembers and love finds new context. Love balances and love creates. Love lights you up inside and love loves up those around you. Love is all there is.
This simple bit of wisdom is all you need to know and all you need to remember.
And so I am told:
The soul’s light that manifests as love is the single greatest gift humankind can offer. Love is also where your deepest and most profound lessons can be found. Imagine for a moment if everyone around you acted from a place of love, whether it is called compassion, forgiveness, gratitude, openness or commitment. The world would be instantly transformed. This, then is your goal. Find ways to act from love in everything you do, not matter how tedious they may be. With every step you take, allow love to guide your way. Even in anger, find a way to love yourself, if you cannot love another. Let yourself experience love with your entire heart in all things and in all ways.
“Love shows up.”
Charles Martin