Community

An excerpt from Kathleen’s Sunday Services Talk on Sunday, August 10^th 2008

“Lac des Iles: Community & Empathy”

A very good friend of mine, in the midst of my grief said to me: “I know you feel you’ve lost a lot, but I can’t wait until you finally realize all of the love coming your way too.” Luckily, I got there, and have been able to see the fortune that has fallen on us. One of those fortunes is being a part of this amazing community – a community that I believe defines how amazing human connections can be.

This year has also shown me that at the root of most humans lies a well of love. When something tragic occurs, we are shaken to our cores – as it did to all of us when our cottage exploded, when we lost our beautiful Mimi and my extraordinary father. It is at that core that humans function in their truest and most honest selves. We stop analyzing outcomes, worrying about past conflict or issues, and we just “do”. We “do” or “act” with our hearts. It is at that core, that I witnessed, or heard of some of the bravest, most beautiful and generous acts that I could have ever imagined. Our cottage property, our lake, our home and our hearts were filled with this beauty. Our cumulative value in community, and our foundation of love for each other, drove each person to care in their own unique and exceptional way. These amazing acts started on September 1^st, and continue to this day.