Plymouth Magazine-Fall24-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 11
Leaning In
Spirit in a Support Group
Rhythms of Care
We recognize these are days
of health and personal challenge.
We gather in spirit,
unsure if transported by God’s breath,
Buddha’s peace-filled silence,
or our surrender to Allah—
it is the spirit of unity,
hands, hearts, minds, merge into one.
You arrive. Your smile fills the air.
Your hands support like bookends.
I am enveloped.
Words encourage, soak my soul
no matter
how wobbly my step
how hesitant my words
how unsure my reach
how slack my oncology results.
Your presence flows warm as sunlight
through a kitchen window.
We have learned to bend
with the times
adopt the wisdom of a willow
one that moves with nature’s force
feels nature’s breath
not the way of the oak
going it alone with all its might.
We choose the willow’s way:
We lean into our faith—for strength.
We lean into our history—that brought
us this far.
We lean into each other—tripod sturdy.
We lean in and find support to meet
challenges.
We give thanks for our faith, our history,
and for one another.
We find friendship’s warmth,
words of comfort, presence
of unbound love as we reflect
on the past, anticipate days ahead
and rest in the present moment
in this circle of support, of healing.
We are touched by God’s breath,
awash in Buddha’s peace,
surrender ourselves
for the love of others.
In this circle of trust,
we become whole,
complete, renewed.
At times we sit in silence knowing
what needs saying has been.
At times we celebrate victories large
and small.
At times we unload the carried weight,
give voice to burdens,
release worries held in silence.
Pressures ease.
Time to aid, to give all as needed,
to receive, to be silent, to rejoice.
This support group knows the rhythms
of care.
Plymouth Magazine 11
