Sylvia is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s of Peterborough. She has been living with multiple sclerosis for a number of years. She has focused on the growing and promoting growth of body, mind and spirit. Below is her inspiring story.
CHALLENGEDThieves steal the very life of soul! For over half my life-time, these knaves have lurked about in my existence. Initially, when I was less astute in recognizing their presence, they created havoc in quiet subtle ways: my coping ability at home and work, my levels of satisfaction, my need for day-time rest and my staggering gait. Once recognized, they became more devious. My mind became their point of entry. Try harder no longer worked in coping with life demands and I had to say “yes” to losses: . . . loss of independence . . . loss of participation in both fun and serious events. The list could go on . . Exercise to maintain strength and function, the use of a walker and wheelchair, reading magnifiers and lots of downtime became the norm.
What was happening in the depths of my being – my very soul in all of this letting go? Prayer, reflection and journaling had always been part of my lifestyle choices. I began to find these soul-giving events empty of life. Who was my God? Where was the “Source of my Being” hiding? In one of my moments of frustration, when I felt let down by my hands, I wrote this poem and I’ve been trying to live in its light ever since.
THE BROKEN CUP
I pick up the pieces dishearteningly,
And as I do, it speaks tome:
“Don’ just throw me out,
but listen to me.
Your annoyance is at self, not me.
I am broken,
Shattered; fit only for the garbage.
For discard.
Yes, it is annoying;
But even more, it hurts.
Listen Sylvia . . .
To the pain you feel.
To the sadness that you know.
Listen to the ways your being feels in union with this cup,
Fit only for discard.
Did God drop you too?
What is happening to you?
Like this cup,
Do you not have a voice to cry out?
Do you not have a God who listens when you do?
A God who speaks in faithfulness and love . . .
Is your annoyance about a fumbled cup?
Yes, a single broken cup?!”