That’s a practice here and now–to relax in loneliness.  To open the gift of being here, now, far from the new life beginning in our family.  Far from the excitement of celebration, miles and miles from what seems to be the most important  event of the century.

With this gift I can contemplate my needs of habit and consider a new face.  Befriending this alone-ness I can prepare myself for that ache even in a crowded family gathering.  Accepting this present, I can better see people for living THEIR own lives and not accommodating my story of grasping for affection and attention.

The Dear One insists we have a party, that the three of us sit and have tea.  Chatting with loneliness, I become a better friend, and we are companions that can giggle at the adventure of human life forever.