KINTSUGI WE ARE MORE BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE OF OUR BROKENESS

In the moment when we meet face to face with tragic loss, there is no time, no ground, no compass. We have only our magical thoughts. We may pray for undoing the event and the offer of a second chance. It doesn’t happen. Death is permanent, a universal truth. It can’t be undone. We can only hope for grace in mending.

We emerge more beautiful because of our brokenness, not in spite of it.

Like Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing pottery, we piece together our shattered parts and we emerge more beautiful because of our brokenness, not in spite of it. Mending areas of breakage with lacquer dusted with powdered gold, silver, or platinum we are on the golden journey. Eventually, we become stronger and more resilient. But we are fragile beings. Things can and do fall apart. May we find ease and acceptance in our imperfections.

WHEN YOU MEET SOMEONE IN DEEP GRIEF

Slip off your needs

and set them by the door.

Enter barefoot

this darkened chapel

hollowed by loss

hollowed by sorrow

its gray stone walls

and floor.

You, congregation

of one

are here to listen

not to sing.

Kneel in the back pew.

Make no sound.

let the candles

speak.

Patricia McKernon Runkle