The Greatest Lesson

It was 56 years ago today that I made my appearance. February 17th, 1968. It took a box of Valentine Chocolates and a bottle of caster oil but my mother was determined.

Room 43 is where my Mother and I first became acquainted. The hospital where I work now is where I started on this Journey of my Lifetime. Before beginning to learn the hard lesson of where my Mother ended and where I began, all I knew was that I was hungry and that I wanted to be held. That hunger and wanting have been my constant companion on this Lifetime Journey. And just like way back then in Room 43, I still grope around to find that fulfillment somewhere outside of myself.

If I think too long and hard about it, it becomes a convoluted mess inside my brain but I have sorted out what I believe to be the greatest lesson to be learned in life.

Fulfilling those deep down needs to feel whole does not come from pouring your love into others, that fulfillment comes from letting others love you.

The reality is that loving others is relatively easy. Letting others love you, that is hard.

Today I want to extend my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to the scores of people who have shown me love along the way. To Ellen, thank you for the earliest and greatest lesson all those years ago in that sacred room. I will miss your phone call today wishing me a happy birthday but I truly believe that between us, there really isn't an ending or beginning.

MHC