Author’s note: This story could actually be Part 3 in my Connectivity blog series, but I felt it deserved to stand alone. It is dedicated to everyone, but in particular to those in perimenopause, postmenopause and beyond, and to those on life journeys that are far from perfect.
The most beautiful thing happened to me today.
Actually, this story starts yesterday when my husband went out to our front porch to collect the mail. He was frustrated that the postal worker had tried to jam a thick packet into our mailbox slot, almost damaging it in the process.
I didn’t even look at the mail yesterday, assuming it was one of my medications on automatic refill.
Today, after making a nice cup of Tazo organic peachy green tea, I collected the stack of mail items and sat down at my desk to sort through them. A few Christmas cards, two medical journals – and the slightly damaged package.
What first intrigued me was the cardboard mailing sleeve it came in. My home address was hand-written (exciting!) and with a cute heart (must be a friend!). But, whom do I know in San Jose, California?
I was baffled. I opened the package very carefully, lest I rip the unknown contents inside.
I pulled out the book. I didn’t order a book. But, here it was, and personally signed by the author, addressed to me:
Dear Susan
what holds you back does not exist
Much love and Happy Holidays
Nivedita Lakhera
My first rush of thoughts were how do we know each other? How did she know my home address? It must be through social media. Was it from a professional group? Was it another group? I stopped analyzing and started reading.
First, just flipping through a few pages, the poems looked intriguing. Then, stopping to read a few random poems, they leapt out of the book and landed in my heart. In my being.
In my soul.
Such beautiful emotions. Such raw feelings. Such passion. Such honesty.
Tears welled in my eyes. Where did these tears come from? From understanding, from beauty, from my postmenopausal sensitivities. From a kindred physician healer. From life – and so much more.
It didn’t matter. It was just beautiful.
I immediately reached out via social media to thank the author, a physician like me. She replied within five minutes even though she was at work in the hospital. “Awwwww thanks so much, I must thank your fabulous friend who arranged this for you.”
Wait…it was from someone else?
In a heartbeat I knew. Carrie in Austin, Texas. I don’t know how I knew, but I did. Yet another physician friend whom I know through social media. A beautiful person.
And so I reached out to Texas, after just reaching out to California. This web of connectivity fascinates me, gives me energy and vitality.
It is wondrous.
I find it most fitting to end with a poem from this lovely book.*
when broken is as beautiful
some things are better left broken half unfinished, incomplete, less than full may you find poetry in such things may you accept the beauty of such things may you find a place in your heart without the restlessness to change them but to leave them as a muse for often that’s where art, music, colors and songs come out, the movement of life both begins and flourishes may you find ways and grace in your heart for imperfect beauty in a world obsessed with completion, goals, deadlines, measurements, comparisons, perfection, having-it-all tales, may you find the courage to celebrate them, be them, and at times, become them
* From I am not a princess I am a complete fairytale by Nivedita Lakhera