For the Parents of One
Who has Committed a Crime
~(A blessing By John O'Donohue)
from his book "To Bless the Space Between Us"
published by Doubleday 1st Edition
( © John O’Donohue. All rights reserved.)
See the web site: www.johnodonohue.com
No one else can see beauty
In his darkened life now.
His image has closed
Like a shadow.
When people look at him,
He has become the mirror
Of the damage he has done.
But he is yours;
And you have different eyes
That hold his yesterdays
In pictures no one else remembers:
Waiting for him to be born,
Not knowing who he would be,
The moments of his childhood,
First steps, first words,
Smiles and cries,
And all the big thresholds
Of his journey since...
He is yours in a way
No words could ever tell;
And you can see through
The stranger this deed has made him
And still find the countenance of your son.
Despite all the disappointment and shame,
May you find in your belonging with him
A kind place, where your spirit will find rest.
May new words come alive between you
To build small bridges of understanding.
May that serenity lead you beyond guilt and blame
To find that bright field of the heart
Where he can come to feel your love
Until it heals whatever darkness drove him
And he can see what it is he has done
And seek forgiveness and bring healing;
May this dark door open a path
That brightens constantly with new promise.
---
~(A blessing By John O'Donohue)
from his book "To Bless the Space Between Us"
published by Doubleday 1st Edition
( © John O’Donohue. All rights reserved.)
See the web site: www.johnodonohue.com
