The Memory of Love

 Happy New Year one and all! Like many of you, I was thrilled to put 2025 behind me and look forward to more Joy in 2026. However, the news at home and abroad does not offer a hopeful outlook for the year ahead, no matter how hard I try to put a spin on positivity. What I have learned through some of the challenges of the past year is that we make our own hope, find our unique pockets of Joy daily, and without tuning out, find comfort in touch, Love, and thoughtfulness of those with whom we choose to spend our days. And sometimes, if we are attuned to the possibility of connection—synchronistic as it may be—we can find Joy in the most unlikely of places.

One of my greatest memories of this last year happened with a stranger, who I now think of as an angel. My angel. I was traveling to meet up with cherished friends and family for a much-needed Hug Tour back home—where I grew up. I had rented an apartment for a few weeks and was at the local grocery store stocking up on basics—laundry detergent, a few cleaning supplies, air fresheners, spices, and food stuffs. The supplies must have looked like a move-in kind of collection to the experienced checker, who asked, “New to the area? Moving in close by, honey?” I think it was the “honey” that made me well-up. I coughed out a few words, telling her I was on a visit home to see family and friends.

My very engaged angel asked a few more questions and then stopped ringing my order and came around the counter, where she stopped and stood about a foot away from me. She said, “You look like you could use a hug.” She came in with her whole, large-bosomed, big woman presence and held me while I lost my composure entirely. She said, “Baby, you just cry it out. I’m here.”

I have no memory how long that hug or my tears lasted, but the experience was timeless. She met me, a total stranger, where I needed to be met. And I received her gift because I knew she was heaven-sent. I have had experiences like that on several important occasions in my life, and I am always grateful that I am a trusting person who is open to the kindness of others. I have also learned to be that angel when I am called upon to serve.

But for purposes of this blog, I want to point out that the Universe sends us what we need, when we need it. Often, we are too dug in, too much in our heads rather than our hearts, or too involved in structuring our busy lives to be open in either direction to giving or receiving. One of my intentions for this year, stacking up already to look challenging for many, is to be on call when it is my turn to serve, especially for those whose lives are so deeply woven in the tapestry of my life already. The ones we will always remember.

I wrote this poem several years ago, but it seems apt for today’s musings. Enjoy its impact. Let it wash over you. Again, my best and deepest wish for you and yours is peace through Love, Joy and connection in 2026.

With gratitude.

When I am old and can’t remember

the names of all the flowers in my gardens,

or how many minutes it takes to bake banana muffins,

or how to get from here to there

without someone holding my hand,

It will be you I Feel in my Heart

and remember you there.

The Joy of your name, your touch,

your skin against mine.

My confidence in the

Power of our Love.

I will remember that you

rocked my world in unimaginable ways.

I will Feel you there in my old heart

and remember how time flew when we met

and that I wanted to slow it down.

When I am old, I will Feel

The long years between then and

the day I can only smile

because the words come too slowly.

I will Feel the fears and pain,

And all the Joy a universe can

hold between us, and know

that not only in the end,

but throughout our time together,

All that ever matters is

How we make each other Feel.