Several years ago, I was part of an organization that held a yearly fundraising event that was just spectacular. The community looked forward to it, and when the current year’s event was complete, the planning for the next year’s event immediately began.  This was enormous work.

I was honored to be a part of this. We enjoyed the planning. It was fun, it was community, relationship building, and the good work.

Day of there was so much excitement and half the fun was the set up. The night went wonderfully.  There were speeches of thanks, and glowing complimenting of all involved.

I remember standing in a social circle talking and laughing and enjoying the music as everything began to wind down.  Goodbyes and more hugs and thank yous and see you next weeks.  I turned around to find most of the team was long gone.

The cleanup, at close to midnight, began with me and two others. They took all the accolades, applause, and awards with them. 

I often reflect on that night.  It is much like life.  There will be people who will leave for you a mess to clean up as they walk by smiling.

There will be no accountability either.  All you are left with is the hurt they caused, and only you will know how hard it was to clean that all up. You are tired, they will sleep.

There is a person in my life who recently caused harm to me, and as I dwell on this experience, I recalled the fundraising event and how it felt to be left with all that clean up.

 I watch as others around her, just absolutely love her. The applause and awards are all around her.  I joined in to that too though. I loved this person, but when I turned around, I saw the mess she left for me.  The mess of my crushed spirit.

 I am tired, she sleeps.

I think we learn from these things, and it may even be possible to be stronger after that.

Science tells us that when branches from a tree are cut, there is left a wound on the tree. Sometimes even a whole new branch will grow from the trimmed one, but you will always be able to see where the branch was originally cut.  The tree becomes healthier when it is trimmed. Stronger. Majestic – even while wounded.

We can turn around, and the mess is cleaned. We will rest.

Peace.

Cath