Sacred window

NestCity-BlogPostThe usual plans for Michael’s annual three-week visit with his mom fell through. The decades old routine, while well entrenched, still needed her attention for it to come to pass. Tickets to buy, reservations to make, dates to set. But she didn’t do it. Maybe because she’s in her 80s and she lost track. Maybe the pattern knew it could no longer hold. Regardless, the ‘usual’ could not take place.

Michael asked, “So Mom, what would you like to do?”

“Clean the windows,” she replied.

Micheal was stunned by her answer. Is this what all single men in their late 50s do when they spend time with their hard-to-relate-to mothers? Clean the windows?

Michael is a remarkably self-aware human with a remarkably self-unaware mom. Over the years I have known Michael, he describes the healing between the two of them and I marvel at his composure. I think, from time to time, that if she was my mom, I wouldn’t have anything to do with her. Too mean. Too nasty. Too hurtful. The healing is taking place not only between them, but within each of them. There is a lot of reconciling, and it has taken years.

So when Michael’s mom says she’d like to clean the windows, he went with it. A part of him wanted to point out that this was silly, there are better things they could do together. Another part of him realized that by letting her follow her own lead about how they’d spend their time together, and trusting that she let the organizing slide, something new might happen between them. It did.

The south-facing dining room is referred to in the family as The Museum, the never-used room. And in this room is a huge window. Every morning after the window-cleaning, she would stand in that window, basking in the sun. She’d leave that room in a state of peace and joy that Michael had never before seen in his mom. It only lasted a few moments every day, but it changed everything.

They enjoyed each others’ company when they went shopping. For the first time every, they went on excursions with Michael’s step dad. Most importantly, they enjoyed each others’ company with remarkably less tension. All because the windows were clean.

Little did Michael or his mom know that little-used room was a sacred room, and the window, a sacred window. At this window, she could see the outside world clearly. At this window, she could be seen and feel the warmth of being seen. It left her in a state of peace and joy.

 

What his mom learned, is how I experience Michael. His work, every day, is to keep his sacred window clean, to align who he is on the inside with who he is on the outside, and vice versa. Moreover, when his sacred window is clean, he is able to help others clean their sacred window – when they are ready.

This is how unconditional love shows up for Michael – when you’re ready to let more of the world in, and let more of yourself out in ways that align with the essence of you, he’ll be there to help out.

How do you clean your sacred window? 

How much are you willing to see? 

How much of you do you allow to be seen, by yourself and others? 

And, of course, how much does any of this have to do with words, anyway?

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2 thoughts on “Sacred window”

  1. What a wonderful story, Beth. As I continue to find my non-academic voice as a writer, I am noticing that writing is a way for me to clean my sacred window, too. I love that metaphor and will carry it with me as I head off to another week of writing on Whidbey. Participating in circle-based conversations, guided by the agreements of the circle way, has also helped me see through the sacred window more clearly. Thanks for sharing this inspiring piece. Love and hugs to you! Jude

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