Thank you, my friends, for the birthday wishes!
I enjoyed a lovely day with my children and my husband. We went to a local fair for the afternoon where I met a wonderful man I'd like to tell you about (since meeting him was the perfect birthday gift for me, I would like to share the story as my gift to you).
I have been heartbroken this past week watching the devastation on the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. I didn't even think I could enjoy a birthday celebration knowing that so many were suffering and dying.
At the fair I met Ronald. Ronald is a 70-something native of New Orleans who left his city on Saturday, just before the Hurricane hit, to come to Ohio for this fair. He is an artisan, crafting exquisite jewelry in the Egyptian-African metal crafting tradition of his family. Quite amazingly, he creates stunning rings and bracelets while you watch. Each creation is unique for the recipient and, while Ronald does not ask you what you like (other than silver, gold, stones, no stones) they are exactly what you love!
With jazz playing from a CD-player, Ronald smiled and laughed, charming the growing crowd around his booth. When each item was finished, he kissed it and held it up in his hand, thanking God for the blessing of it's beauty.
I asked Ronald if he knew if his loved ones were safe in New Orleans and he said he did not. (His mother lives in Ohio and he'll be staying with her for a while now.) He said he figured he was homeless now, for the first time in his life. I told him how sorry I was for the loss he had suffered and he just smiled and told me not to feel sorry for him. He was alive and sitting in the sunshine doing what he loved to do. God, he said, would show him the next step to take on his journey.
Ronald is a lovely spirit who reminded me that what we have is more important than what we can ever lose. I was deeply moved by his love of life and reverence for all living things. As we said goodbye I knew that the lovely ring he made for me would forever remind me of his gentle soul. In the face of such tragedy, instead of us being able to comfort him, Ronald filled our little corner of the world with light. Amazing, truly amazing.
Thank you again, my friends, for the birthday wishes. May your corner of the world be filled with light and love...
Lesley
