Dear Touchstone
Family,
Last night I learned that the Southwest passenger who died is the niece of a friend. Her death is a reminder that our lives are valuable and vulnerable. Although I didn't know Jennifer Riordan, knowing of her now - hearing about the woman she was - deepens my commitment to do my part in making a difference while I'm here.
Her
aunt Ellie wrote:
"Our beautiful niece, Jennifer, has been taken from us in the Southwest flight tragedy. She will always have a place in our hearts! Family was number one in her life! Her energy for life was electrifying. Jennifer will be remembered by how she made people feel....she was truly a gift and we need to follow her lead on making this a better world."
I'm feeling that Jennifer's death
will prompt many to pause and consider how we treat one another, especially those nearest to us, and how we are using our talents and the time we have here on earth.
Although nothing can replace Jennifer and no amount of potential good to come can soften the suffering of her loss now, I do hope, pray and believe that her spirit will live on, not only in the afterlife, but here on earth in endless ripples of goodness, love, and actions toward making this a better
world.
Ellie is a touchstone subscriber like you. That makes Jennifer
three degrees of separation away from you, or less. You may know Ellie. You may have known Jennifer. The point is: we are all closely connected in the human family.
When I learned of Jennifer's
relationship to Ellie, I had already written and scheduled today's message, which began with the Joan Anderson quote.
"I couldn't help but imagine what my world would be like if I looked at all the human beings I was closest to as holy."
Along with sending love and condolences to Jennifer's family, let's honor them - ourselves and one another too - by aiming to see all of us as holy.
With love and reverence,
Charlene
