Tapestry...

Angel,

To each of us is attached the thread of time. As we move through our lives pulling this string behind us: as we weave in and out of all that we do or do not do, decisions that we make, the thoughts that we hold, and in the shapes of vowels and consonants that we use in the inadequate instruments of our languages to label and define our world: in all of our interactions with friends, family, lovers, strangers, and everyone that we brush up against; as we make our way through this life given to us and in this world that we shape - we impart a colour to our past. We colour our thread of time with everything that we do or do not do, and this thread is woven into the past like a great tapestry.

The threads of each and every one of us gets woven into the tapestry of time past - together, all of us - just as we are all together in this life and we are all connected. We all are a part of its making and we are all responsible for what is yet to be woven. Once the past is woven, in whatever colour gets put in stays a part of this permanent record; forever unchanged. But we can move and act and think deliberately to make our threads beautiful to look at. We can live our lives in ways that add to the beauty of the tapestry - our small threads can be the places where small flecks of colour can be seen.

I know that when I have run out of time and reached the end of my thread and I get to look back on the life that I have lived that there will be places that are not easy to look at. There will also be places and times where I have acted with brilliance. I know that examining the length of my thread that there will be times where I have held black thoughts, mistreated or hurt people, or acted less than honourably. And along my thread there will be times where I can see generosity of spirit, love, and good honest deeds. From this moment on, it is a happier thread that I want to weave; one that will when I look back on it, I can be proud. It is a choice that is given to each of us.

My thread will be woven into the tapestry alongside of everyone else - friends, family, strangers - everyone. When I look at the cloth being woven on the giant loom, what will I see? Will all of the colours melt into uniform brown or grey? Will I notice the flecks of colours throughout? Will I be able to see the ebb and flow of all of the lives that have lived and are being lived? Will the colours of all humanity be difficult to look at or will they be bright and wondrous?

I know the tapestry that I want to see. I will do my part to weave what I want.

Just me.