Detours

Yesterday, two friends, my wife and I went to a local restaurant for lunch. Our server, brought our drinks and I noticed on the inside of her wrist a small oriental tattoo. When she came back to the table with our drinks I asked her to tell me the story behind the "tat". I learned from a youth communicator that it is far more interesting to hear the story than to condemn the person for wearing this permanant marking. She first translated the symbols for me which meant, "one love." Then she proceeded to tell us the story. About five months ago, her high school sweetheart and fiance was tragically killed. Part of the grieving process was getting this tattoo as both a memorial to him, and also as a reminder to her regarding all the things she loves.

For her the journey was pretty much planned out. She would soon marry, and her and her husband would live happily ever after. Then out of nowhere a detour. At that point she obviously had a few choices to make. She could decide that life was no longer worth living and instead of a tattoo, put a knife to that same wrist and end it all. Fortunately for us that was not her decision. She could have simply given up and existed rather than live. The good news is she decided to proceed along the route of this unfortunate detour to her journey, and find a way to recover and get back to her travels. This came with a lot of tears and uncertainty. But one day she came to herself and realized that indeed life must go on. So for her the journey continues with the constant reminder that along her journey she had met and enjoyed the pleasure of knowing that "one love." And even when there are detours the journey continues.