Pocket Presence

 

“I will pack you up in the pocket of my heart and take you with me,” I found myself saying to my cat Sherlock as I left on my walk.  What a lovely thought.  Where did it come from?

My sister in spirit at my church was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last week before Christmas.  I don’t know her well, but it doesn’t matter. I carry her in the pocket of my heart.

This is what we do when we hold vigil with someone.  We don’t become  them, but while living our own lives we keep them present.  We create a space in our being where our presence intersects with their presence.  A God space where both are free to be who they are while supported by each other’s spiritual energy.  Holding Vigil.

P.S. After I posted I bumped up against this gem passed to me by a soulfriend.  The last lines complete my thoughts.  Unless we give up the clutter there won’t be space for pocket presence.

Instructions

Give up the world, give up self, finally give up God.
Find god in rhododendrons and rocks,
passers-by, your cat.
Pare your beliefs, your absolutes
Make it simple; make it clean.
No carry-on luggage allowed.
Examine all you have
with a loving and critical eye, then
throw away some more
Repeat. Repeat.
Keep this and only this:
what your heart beats loudly for
what feels heavy and full in your gut.
There will only be one or two
things you will keep,
and they will fit lightly
in your pocket.

Poem: “Instructions” by Sheri Hostetler, from the anthology A Cappella: Memmoite Voices in Poetry”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit:  http://www.123rf.com/photo_5608107_new-style-back-pockets.html