A Hug For All Seasons

 

I sent her a ring for no reason but the season she’s in.

 My friend lost her husband recently after a long battle with a form of blood cancer. She’s struggling right now in the initial stages of her loss.

 I know it’s hard. I know it’s lonely. But I want her to know that she’s not alone… no matter how empty the house, how silent her surroundings… or how heavy the weight of her grief.

A favorite song from days gone by was on my playlist this morning, “Alone Again, Naturally”. And although I love the song for old time’s sake, I’ve come to find that in my own experience as a widow, the message is simply wrong… I am not alone.. no matter how loud the voices in my head whisper that it is so.

Funny that right underneath the song on the phone playlist was an ad for an art design studio, and among the offerings was a ring that caught my attention.

I wear a lot of rings. Rather than just pretty baubles on my hand, they are packed with purpose, each one a reminder of a recent experience or bearing a message of some kind or another. So it’s no wonder I was attracted to the two silver “arms” that could wrap around a finger to deliver a hug.

I bought one to send to my friend, knowing it couldn’t replace the hug she was longing for or the two arms she longed to be held in once more. But I wanted her to have a visual reminder of a truth I hope she can come to understand… that she is never alone, even when she finds herself by herself. I pray that the sight of the ring on her finger would envelop her in memories of the life and love she shared with her husband, the love of their family and friends, and especially the constant presence of God, Who, more than any other, loves her so and simply wants her to know.

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

(Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)