Don't Hesitate
by: Mary Oliver
If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don't hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be. We are not wise, and not very often kind. And much can never be redeemed. Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happens better than all the riches and power in the world. It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins. Anyway, that's often the case. Anyway, whatever it is, don't be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.
Mary Oliver doesn't believe joy is stingy. Her advice is to gorge on joy when it appears in your life. Don't worry about joy disappearing or being used up. Because joy is not a crumb; it's a feast.
Today, I feasted on joy. My daughter graduated from college this morning.
Yes, as I sat listening and watching the ceremony, I cried. Yes, when her name was announced and she walked across the stage, I cried. Yes, when she came up and hugged me after it was all over, I cried. Yes, when I was grading papers after I got home, I thought about holding my newborn daughter, all the hope and joy housed in her tiny body. And I cried again.
Basically, I spent the whole day near tears or in tears. Good tears. Happy ones, full of pride and astonishment. I am the father of a college graduate. Oliver is right: you do notice joy in the instant when love begins. From the moment my daughter came into my life, love began, and joy was close behind. She has filled each day of my life with joy.
Tonight, our friends and family came together at a local restaurant to celebrate my daughter. So many people filled the room--all because of love for her and joy in her accomplishment. And I felt myself close to tears many times again.
Sitting in my office at home typing this post now, I'm not holding back the tears anymore. Joy has been my constant companion today. My daughter is an amazing human being, and I'm so proud to have had even the smallest part in making her who she is.
She is one of Saint Marty's best poems.
No comments:
Post a Comment