Wednesday, March 16, 2011

A most deepest apology...

For those of you reading this... to understand my apology... you need to read this. It's my friend's love story. She married a widower. And he was quite a bit older than she was. And he was a professor... at the college she (and I) went to. And now she's a mom of four.
This is them:  

And here is my apology:

Dear Friend,
We have become very close. You are a precious, kindred spirit… that I would consider to be one of my dearest. But I have to tell you something. Every time we talk about your love story… there is a pain in my heart. And I will tell you why.

I was one of those “nay-sayers”. I was one of those people who watched from the outside and kept my distance. I had my thoughts: that your love “wasn’t right”. You see… my god was very small. My world was black and white. And I had all the right answers. Your love didn’t line up. It didn’t fit into my box.   

We shared the same circle of friends at that college we both went to. And even though they had welcomed you into their hearts, I sat a far and judged. Oh sure, I’d smile. Oh sure… I’d say that you were “alright by me”. But the truth be told… I watched you through a cloud of judgement. A cloud of fear.

You see, if your love and your story were “good and right”, then my world wasn’t so easily figured out. My god wouldn’t have been so nice and neat. My faith wouldn’t have been so clear cut and strong.

What I found out over the past 3 years was that I couldn’t have been more wrong. When I opened up my heart just a bit to Love… it came in like a rushing wind. But it had so much to destroy in order to survive in there. It had to destroy judgement. Selfishness and ego. Fear. Small dreams. Easy answers.  Man-made boxes, locks and keys.

And for the past three years Love has been tearing at my heart. And it’s brought me to my knees. At times I was so afraid of all that I was loosing. I was afraid I was loosing my “rock solid faith”. But in the end… all I was loosing was a list. It was a set of beliefs. Something that kept me separate and "other" from so many. So much of what was inside was a counterfit for the real thing. But the real thing wouldn't let me go... and the real truth has been setting me free. 

And what do you know. I was given a second chance. To be your friend.

And let me tell you what I see.

I see Love.

It’s so real and right that it radiates from your home. And it follows you into the grocery store.
I watch as you pick up the phone and talk to him… and light beams. I watch as he stands on the outskirts at a wedding and smiles as you dance with your friends. I see not two… but “one”.

Oh, I know your love is not easy. And you have even let me in to see some of those hard places.

But your love mends them. And it’s even more wonderful and true and pure.

Gosh, I hope and pray that all of “us” come out of the cracks and carry to you our humble hearts and deepest apologies. I hope we say, “I’m sorry” for I am sure at times our unspoken and spoken words cut like a knife.

I thank God for a second chance. I thank God that I am able to witness the way you have come under Love’s shelter… and you used those keys that many of us used to lock you out… and you locked yourself in.

 Love.

So, my precious friend… I am so sorry. From the bottom of the bottom of my heart. And I love you.
And  I’m overwhelmed with thanks…
When I think…
I got a second chance.

Love, Jenny

14 comments:

  1. I just love your voice. How it speaks to me. Your words have been in my heart but I didn't know how to say them. Second chances are wonderful! Do we deserve them? Probably not. Thank you God that you don't give us what we deserve. Seriously, can you imagine a world where the Lord only gave us what we deserved?

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  2. get outta here!!!! jenny, this is soooooooooooooooo sweet. tears in my eyes sweet! i had no idea you were a naysayer, but to be quite honest, if i weren't the girl IN the relationship, i might've been one too. so, forgiven ten times over! love you friend!!!!!!!!!!! love love love!

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  3. So beautifully written. This post drew me in and before I knew it, I had spent half of my morning reading your blog. Your story is incredible, and I LOVE your little boys! How did I not know you in college?!

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  4. This is beautiful and raw and lovely.

    Something I needed to read today.

    Ushering some judgment out of my heart this morning,
    Kate :)

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  5. aww so sweet. I knew I recognized that photo from Bridget's blog! This is so nice :)

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  6. What a wonderful post. You are saying so much that others don't know how to say. Loving you Jenny.

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  7. my-my...so lovely!
    Thank goodness I have waterproof mascara
    ~sobs*

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  8. Love both of you - and am so thankful for our post-college 'mom friendships' :-) xo

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  9. OMG!!!!!!! I love your blog, I love that you adopted two baby boys from Africa and I just read this post and its amazing. So incredibly uplifting.
    :-) XXX to you- so happy to know your blog,
    adding to my blog list.
    Emily of EL Vintage

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  10. Great post, Jenny. Love your honesty and your outlook on life. Miss you!

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  11. This post is absolutely beautiful! I think that we are all so guilty of seeing our God as so small and missing out on the whole point! Thanks for sharing!

    ~Tiffany
    http://tiffanyd22.blogspot.com

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  12. Such a beautiful post. I have often been guilty of judging others. You are amazing for offering up such a sincere apology.

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  13. This is so sweet, honest and humble. :)

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