Let Your Life Speak

May the Lord keep you until the word of your life is fully spoken. ~ Louise Smendziuk

It is late and I cannot find my Cuba photos where my friend Louise and I shared a room. I may have to post that later when I have time to look for them.

My friend Louise died a year ago today. I sent her daughter an email this morning and she responded back with, “Thanks for thinking of us. I’m sure the sunshine today is her way of shining down on us.” Today was sunny and warm…just like Louise.

I first met Louise when I was in my early 20’s. She was the nurse at the school for the Deaf. Later I would come to know her as a fellow parishioner where she would help pave the way for me in many ministries, inviting me to join her in various activities. She was such a cheerleader.

When she found out I was going to Cuba with the church, she called and asked if she could be one of my roommates. I was delighted. We had such fun. She was a great storyteller and could entertain me for hours with her tales. We created a few of our own memorable moments there. I felt deeply loved by her and yet at the same time, I knew she had a heart big enough to love many of us. She embraced so many women.

Four of us got together fairly regularly for a few years now—women of all ages, spanning a few decades I am sure. One of our last suppers was to celebrate the marriage of the youngest member of the quartet. What great fun we always had when we broke bread together.

Louise called me two years ago and asked if I might bring her Eucharist since she could not attend church. For almost a year, I would arrive at her home, watch her deteriorate with the treatments, and then, hopefully, saw her begin to recover. She was able to go out and attend some functions, play bridge with her friends again, and tell tales about her family. In the beginning, I often had to waken her when I arrived but then she was able to respond heartily and engage in deep conversations as she got well again. She was so deeply grateful to receive the Eucharist which sustained her on this challenging journey. She even served me lunch a few times. All these moments were precious. When she got sick again, we did not discuss it. I could tell she did not want to. She was so private about her illness.

What I did get a glimpse of in those visits was that her life was fully spoken, despite her premature departure. She lived fully and completely. She had lots left to give and receive but she faced death without fear. In the journey of less than a year, I saw some changes in her as she let go of things that annoy most of us. She was downsizing not only her possessions but also her soul, emptying it of all the things she no longer needed in order to move to her final resting place. That was a gift. Sometimes when I think about our visits I long to make those changes in my own life now. It takes great courage to purge one’s inner most being but Louise did it with such grace. She is deeply missed by many people beyond her family and closest friends. She left a huge void but I am grateful for the time we shared here. Will you choose to let your life speak so that you will be deeply missed too?

Peace,

Suzanne