Love

Just over a decade ago, I took my mother on her first cruise. In fact, it was her first trip outside of the country of her birth. The cruise was supposed to be the makeup honeymoon trip for me and my then husband. (Our initial honeymoon was abruptly interrupted and we had to return home before the expected time). Instead, he flew halfway across the country to have a jaunt with his mistress. I could not cancel the cruise trip due to time constraints and my mother offered to come along with me instead of having me travel alone or not go at all. I appreciated my mother's thoughtfulness, she was not in the best of health, yet as always, she was being self-sacrificing in behalf of one of her children. Because of my failing marriage I felt devoid of energy mentally and emotionally. Physically, all I wanted to do was sleep. I had no appetite, no energy, no clarity. My peace was disturbed. Going on the cruise with my Mom was a healing time for me and her. She too was in a turmoil-filled marriage, -her second one- and getting far away from our respectively troubled households to a paradisaic setting was soothing to both our anxious hearts. Around 3 am one morning (I looked at the lampstand clock), she called me on the deck to sit with her. The night sky was pure darkness except for a huge, perfectly round, larger-than-life glowing moon that appeared to be facing us and sitting on the surface of the water. It softly illuminated the surrounding darkness. The gently flowing surface current that rocked the boat to and fro, belied the power of the vast, infinite ocean. Before Mommy woke me, I was enjoying the best sleep I'd had in months and was a little irritated that she wanted me to join her on deck at this time. At first I tried to pretend not to hear her, but her voice was insistent, urgent almost. I grumbled my way to the balcony and plopped down beside her on the adjoining beach chair . Although it was warm in the Caribbean the night air was cool enough to merit covers and we were both ensconced in the ones from our beds. My mother spoke to me that night about the power of the Creator and his creation: specifically the ocean and moon that were before us. She reminded me that He is love and can do anything. She the mentioned my new puppy. At the time I had only had him for four months.  He was a rescue and shortly after bringing him home I discovered he had an awful case of kennel cough. The timing was fortunate. I was home on vacation for the next three weeks and was able to lavish him with love, nurture and care. At the close of those weeks he was healthy and thriving. What my  mother said remains with me today. Love is a powerful thing. Love can heal. The most powerful Source of goodness -God himself- is Love. "Look what your love did for that dog," she said. "Your love brought him back to life!" I did not realize it until she said it. Yet her words are so true. Make sure you go where the love is. Love is the most powerful force and it can do amazing things. - Joy Lyn  ©2016