*sweet risk

As I sit across from my friends

whom I'm close to at this point in my life -

at 35 years old,

time plays in slow motion for several moments…

Mouths are moving slowly and 

smiles are like stills of old favorite pictures

and I wonder to myself,

"Will you still love and respect me 

the times our relationship grows sour?"

When you love me at my worst, 

there's something very sacred about that.

It's easy to be a friend to a friend.

But can you love amidst the thunder?

Can you still respect a foe?

So I proceed with caution because it's worth it either way,

the bittersweet risk you take when you 

open up a door.

~ L ~

a lesson in Forgiveness

This woman rests her hand on the shoulder

of the man who killed her father and three brothers

in the genocide in Rwanda two decades ago.

"He did these things with other people,

but he came alone to me and asked me for pardon.

He helped me build a house with a covered roof.

I was afraid of him……but in my mind I feel clear."

Remember Viviane Nyiramana's story

the next time you're holding a grudge.

Likewise, remember the courage of this man

Francois Sinzikiramuka

when you're too proud to say I'm sorry.

~ L ~

(photo by Pieter Hugo.)