Days of Profound Gratitude – Thursday, 30 June 2011 – Part VI
The author, Marianne Williamson, suggests God returns the scripts of our lives in the afternoon of our lives for rewrites. Practically speaking, we receive divine grace to correct previous mistakes, refocus our attention upon worthwhile priorities, build better relationships, learn to love as God does and pursue our dreams, passion and purpose in service to Almighty God and humankind. Accordingly, an incredible sense of thanksgiving began to flood my heart and mind as I pondered these thoughts. I am grateful to my God for orchestrating providentially the timing and sequence of my vacation plans to enable me to visit with my brother. Whereas I went with the dual purposes of extending my sincere and heartfelt wishes for his physical healing and restoration and introducing him to my beloved children, I left having experienced a greater type of inner healing enroute to wholeness.
The highlight of my visit with my brother was lengthy conversation I had with my nephew. We share membership in fraternity and the Craft. Moreover, my nephew is educationally and professionally accomplished. Our conversation resembled a lodge meeting. I stand in awe of his successes as a husband, father and professional. In the enduring parlance of the American South, my nephew is "a fine young man.” Later that day, I would share my experiences with my younger brother who enthusiastically agrees with my assessment of our nephew's character. We talked endlessly about how proud we are of him. Really, we have always been proud of our nephew. My younger brother said, "He is a son any man would be proud to have.”
Nevertheless, my nephew and I discussed the potential historical connection between masonry and the Underground Railroad and probable contribution of masons to saving lives of potential lynch mob victims in the height of segregation in the American South in the post World War II era. More importantly, I observed my nephew utilizing his professional and educational training to ensure my brother, his father, received the best care possible. I watched in awe as I marveled at both the Lord's faithfulness and the passage of time. My nephew steadfastly examined medicine orders, rehabilitation possibilities, and discharge directives. He did not fail to ask any questions he found germane to my brother’s recuperation.
Silently, I thought “Is the kid whose diapers I changed?” No, he is the formidable young man who represents one of my brother’s greatest successes in life. I vividly recall when my nephew was a baby and how exuberant he became when my brother entered the room after at the end of a day’s labor. Even as an adolescent, I desired to have a similar relationship with a son of my own in the future. With praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God, I acknowledged the fulfillment of this heartfelt dream as I watched my nephew care for his father. My beloved son was also present. He too saw how his first cousin loved his father. Accordingly, I personally, quietly and continually gave thanks to my Lord for His unquestionable faithfulness in blessing my brother and myself with the wealth of our sons and healing in our own relationship.
This day of profound gratitude would not end with a hospital visit. At its conclusion, my nuclear family and I drove my mother to “the country,” Mayesville, South Carolina. Located thirteen miles north of Sumter, Mayesville is town of origins for the maternal side of my family. The eldest of twelve children, my mother religiously visits my maternal grandmother who is the lone matriarch of this side of our descendants. Her husband, his brothers and their parents have transitioned to eternal life. In the church cemetery “nearby” their houses, they were interred into eternal rest. Yet, my grandmother, at ninety-two years of age, remains and personifies an era of “old school” values, parenting and religious devotion. Another sheer delight in this day of thanksgiving was the gift my children received in meeting her.
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