As I have mentioned many times, my family and I are getting ready to move out to the West Coast, and as such, we are downsizing a lot of stuff. One of the things I am downsizing, aka getting rid of, is my used Baha'i bookstore. Oh, the books are used, not the store. Well, I guess the store is a bit used now, too.
There I was, last night, at the Feast, with my usual book display, except that it was a bit bigger than usual. I had everything with me in the hopes of selling as much of it as I can. Not bad. Was able to sell about 20% of my stock. Only 80% to go.
Now, why am I telling you all this, dear Reader? Because the first thing I did, after registering and eating (hey, I got my priorities straight), was to go the bookstore. Being a conscientious soul, fully aware of the magnitude of the task before me (that of moving), I only bought a few small items. One of them is a great little compilation called "Why We Have Hope". It is really delightful.
There, in the midst of this slender volume, was a quote that called out to me.
In this glorious Cause the life of a married couple should resemble the life of the angels in heaven -- a life full of joy and spiritual delight, a life of unity and concord, a friendship both mental and physical. The home should be orderly and well-organized. Their ideas and thoughts should be like the rays of the sun of truth and the radiance of the brilliant stars in the heavens. Even as two birds they should warble melodies upon the branches of the tree of fellowship and harmony. They should always be elated with joy and gladness and be a source of happiness to the hearts of others. They should set an example to their fellow-men, manifest true and sincere love towards each other and educate their children in such a manner as to blazon the fame and glory of their family.I immediately thought of my wife.
When I read that description of "the life of the angels in heaven -- a life full of joy and spiritual delight, a life of unity and concord, a friendship both mental and physical", I felt, with my whole being, "Yes, that describes my life with her."
How can I even begin to convey the bounty and blessing of that? How can I share the feelings in my heart that give rise to tears in my eyes when I realize that we are living what the Master told us we should do? Joy upon joy.
Of course, then He said, "The home should be orderly and well-organized". OK. My excuse is that we're moving, but really, I don't think our home ever fit that description. At least He never said that my desk "should be orderly and well-organized". I think that is beyond my capacity.
"Their ideas and thoughts should be like the rays of the sun of truth and the radiance of the brilliant stars in the heavens." Oh, doesn't that just describe Marielle to a tee? I may have a few ideas and thoughts, and perhaps the words to begin to try and express them, but it is her who shines. It is her radiance that comes through. All I try to do is get out of the way. I wonder if that would be like spiritual dodgeball, or something.
"Even as two birds they should warble melodies upon the branches of the tree of fellowship and harmony." Well, we're half-way there. Currently she is the songbird, warbling the melodies of God, for that is about all she will sing. Me? I'm more like the crow who caws in the background. She is trying to teach me to carry a tune, but I still need a basket to to do that. Maybe someday I'll be able to hold a note, instead of just writing one.
"They should always be elated with joy and gladness and be a source of happiness to the hearts of others." OK. I can't really speak to that one. I'm always smiling, but she is the one who touches the hearts. They will ask her the their heartfelt questions, and I'll find the appropriate quotes in the Writings. Not a bad team, if you ask me.
"They should set an example to their fellow-men, manifest true and sincere love towards each other and educate their children in such a manner as to blazon the fame and glory of their family." For that, I look to Shoghi. He is my confirmation, and my inspiration for so much.
But now the convention is about to begin, so here I go. With love and with prayers, wishing you all a happy 9th Day of Ridvan.
Here I am, in Thunder Bay, lying on my bed beside Cindy snorring (our gig ended at one o'clock in the morning, two after we loaded the truck), and nearly choking, trying to stifle the enormous bouts of laughter caused by your writing, and you say:
ReplyDelete"'They should always be elated with joy and gladness and be a source of happiness to the hearts of others.' OK. I can't really speak to that one."
Well, it is true that I'm the one peeing my pants with "elation of joy and gladness" but that's because you, my dear husband, are "a source of happiness" to my heart and "to the hearts of others". Why else would there be now 34 followers to your blog?
Thank you for this beautiful letter of love.
Note to you, fellow readers: Beside this last little objection, I concurr to all that Mead said in this blog. Although his idealistic spirit sometimes makes it look like it's too good to be true (but that's the way he looks at life and really focuses on the positives) it is honestly what he perceives. You should try looking at your life and relationships in this way. You will see how much happier you can be, or how much more effective you can be in bringing about positive change in your life.
In a nut shell, I love this man!
Well, I'm still in Toronto as of this writing, getting ready for the last session of the Convention, and now have to struggle with tears in my eyes. Yes, it's true. That is my wife who wrote that comment up there.
ReplyDeleteBut I still say that she's my inspiration (I mean, and Baha'u'llah, of course, but I didn't think that needed to be said here), so leave me to my rose tinted contacts.