A friend of mine who recently lost her husband, signed off an email with…
Walk in Grace.
I didn’t think much of it at the time, yet it keeps appearing in my thoughts like a faint, flicker of light.
She certainly has honed the skill, so beautiful and stoic, loss trailing behind her like a somber lady’s maid.
The word addict that I am, went to the heart of it like a curious scientist taking it apart at the seams…simple elegance of refinement or movement. Courteous goodwill…a polite, attractive manner of behaving, according to Mr. Webster.
To take it up a notch…the free and undeserved favor of God…the salvation of sinners…a bestowing of blessings bringing one to their knees.
Wow! Did I unleash a power greater than myself, religion going up a quart since, there are no atheists in a foxhole, said Hemingway, and collectively can’t deny, we all find ourselves in one, from time to time.
Saying grace.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound.
Grace under fire.
Grace Kelly…
Will and Grace…
Grace Slick singing…Don’t you want somebody to love?
What exactly does grace mean to me personally?
That I’m no longer ashamed of my hearing loss, allowing it to be a part of me same as my humor and short, black hair.
When a person is rude and impatient when I ask if they’d please speak up or look at me, and it’s too much to ask.
Thinking of Hicks in a cold grave in Mississippi, when he should be warming up in the on-deck circle ready to hit another grand slam.
When I see a homeless person wrapped in newspapers as I head home to heat and comfort.
There but for the grace of God go I.
Well that certainly sums it up.
Anne Lamott says, I do not at all understand the mystery of grace…only that it meets us where we are, and does not leave us where it found us.
How bout we just leave it at that.
SB
Sonia’s four year old granddaughter is called Grace. Never a name better suited. Predictions are rash, but I foresee great things for her.
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ALSO: they’re voting on Brexit in the Commons tonight. Never was an infestation of grace more desperately needed. We’re going to hell in a handcart, driven by jingoistic pig-headedness.
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Join us here at your former colonies. We can go over the falls together…sigh
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It’s a lovely name, to be sure.
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Youngest cat is Gracie. The name doesn’t really describe her unless I use her whole name of Grace O’Malley, famous female pirate!
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I see. 🙂
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Part of grace is caring deeply for others. You are full of grace.
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I guess I can live with that. 😊
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Grace is one of the loveliest words wrapped in such sweet beauty. I’ve two close friends who find ourselves dealing w/husbands dying a slow death. We are kindred spirits walking in grace. We ‘raise each other up’…as a result people tell us how much they see ‘grace’ in action. Grace is such a beautiful thing. You put it beautifully, Susanna – thank you.
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I’m sorry to hear about your husbands. Being in the valley is never easy. Luckily we don’t stay there. How fortunate both men are to have such loving care. Not always the case.
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Beautifully written. I agree with Anne…some things are mysteries. Grace is one of the wonderful mysterious gifts from God.
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I knew I’d hear from you. Hail Patricia full of grace. 🙏
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What a beautiful piece, Susannah. And so poetic – ‘… loss trailing behind her like a somber lady’s maid.’ Love it!
I’ve known many people who have exhibited grace, but don’t believe anyone, even a saint, can be full of grace on a constant basis. Time to strive for more graceful moments.
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I think that’s what makes it so special, that it comes and goes. How else would you know her when she came a’callin. 🙂
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When you said you were a lover of words, I had to go look up lexophile to make sure it was a real word. Yep, you’re a lexophile, like me. 🙂
Grace is such a beautiful thing, especially because it’s free and undeserved. It’s truly humbling. Beautiful essay and very inspiring.
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Laxophile, sister of bibliophile or a cousin who lives in California since lax suggests relaxed and west coasters do have the reputation of all that wind in their hair. Like there’s no mousse in Malibu. Grace. Yes it’s free and over the counter. No prescription necessary. 🙃
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SB,
Grace is amazing for a reason, I’m guessing.
I’m a quart up myself after reading this beautiful piece. Without need for the foxhole, which is a very good thing. Methinks I summoned this thing called grace from the black diamonds I skied recently. It worked beautifully, and so of course, I raised a toast to it later on.
The mysteries were always a comfort to me.
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Like when you say…methinks. Such an old school expression. My lady friend who inspired this really is grace in motion. After parting with her husband of many years witnessing tethered to a year of helplessness, she astounds me with her ability to carry on. Grace and strength doing a noble two-Step Thanks for writing.
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All about the old school.
She sounds like a truly special person and friend.
A noble two-step, I like that.
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“Grace defies reason & logic. Love interrupts… the consequences of your actions” Bono
Deep
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Loss is such a visual especially when it’s carried off so elegantly. I love the Anne Lamott quote.
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Very philosophical, Susannah. With a hint of compassionate benevolence, that always becomes you. Lovely. :O)
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Grace is grief on its feet. You can’t help but be moved by it. Thanks for reading all my back essays. Loved your Gilded Age comment. Fascinates me too. Less is more just didn’t exist. Sigh
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Decided not to comment…would’ve been positive, but I can’t even try to outdo the post.
Wonderful.
Scott
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🙂
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This is so well-written while promoting thinking! Love it!!! You mentioned the religious aspect, grace was an important tenet to Martin Luther – and remains with Lutherans today. Being a newbee here, your grace got you to reach out to the boy who fell on the sidewalk.
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Grace whispers a lot before giving you a nudge. Unless I’m wrong, Martin Luther is the guy who wanted mass said in English rather than Latin so all could partake. Henry VIII was not happy with Marty Luther.
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Well said about grace and Luther.
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Then I wasn’t wrong. I read so much it all blends. 🙂
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It’s a broad, deep topic.
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Yes it is.
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Once you are a recipient of grace, there is no going back. It truly is unmerited favor and I have basked in it several times. Where would any of us be without grace?
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I wish we could order it, like soup or mashed potatoes.
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Grace- hard to capture and sometimes hard to believe in but needed. I love Anne Lamott! Thanks for your writing.
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Me too. Anne ROCKS!!!
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