“Time is short” my good friend reminded me the other day. I was my turn to call…three weeks ago. Message received.

As always, there was a lot to cover. But no politics or religion. Just two old friends who know there are things far more important than being right.

And as always, we touched on some stuff we’d do differently given the chance. We didn’t rob banks, we didn’t sell swampland in Florida. But we’d change some things.

My friend and I are in that stage often referred to as “life review” and we know it. Half way through the call I knew I’d be sharing this with you, because life review isn’t just for the graying regretful. Honest but kind self-reflection is a good practice no matter who or where you are.

When we finished catching up, I went looking for my faded copy of “The Healing Time” from the late poet and author Pesha Joyce Gertler. And sure enough there it was, my buddy’s and my journeys in poetic form.

The point is, life doesn’t have to make sense in order to bless – even embrace – it all. We can look back with mercy for all concerned, even if looking back still hurts. We can choose grace. Put in old school Universalist terms, we can trust love will have the final say.

So here’s to all the souls – old and new – who are taking stock. Sorting through. And whatever we may find, may we count it as part of a narrative still in the making. A story made sacred by our strength and wisdom..

“The Healing Time”

Finally on my way to yes
I bump into
all the places
where I said no
to my life
all the untended wounds
the red and purple scars
those hieroglyphs of pain
carved into my skin, my bones,
those coded messages
that send me down
the wrong street
again and again
where I find them
the old wounds
the old misdirections
and I lift them
one by one
close to my heart
and I say
holy holy