Pray for Renee

Tonight I pray for Renee and for her to find some peace and relief from her pain. Many of you know of Renee through her blog Circling My Head -- I know her, too, through her blog and a bit outside of that world and can only say that this is a woman who has graced the world with her presence. Renee has been struggling with cancer for many years, and her beautiful daughter Angelique has let us know that she has worsened and that there is little the doctors can do for her. The tribulations that this family has endured over the past year are many, too numerous to count and astonishing in their relentlessness. Throughout all of this, Renee has continued to not just shine but to glow, steadily and brilliantly from within to without.

I am praying, tonight, for peace for her, for the release of her pain, for communion with all that is eternal and good and graceful. I hope you'll join me.

About a year ago, Renee sent me a beautiful little children's book with a note on the flyleaf to me, someone whom she had never met. The following is from the little book called MAYFLY DAY by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross.

Here is Mayfly,
It is her first day on earth.
It is also her last.


Mayflies only live for one day.
But is she sad? Not at all.
She is happy to be alive!

This isn't any old day.
This is the best of days.
She lives for each moment.


She sees the world begin,
She hears the crack of dawn.
And bathes in its golden glow.


A billion buds burst open.
All for her!
She tastes her honey.


Mayfly sees eggs hatch.
Babies born.
Lambs learning to stand.


The business of ants.
The dizziness of children...
The loveliness of things.


She feels the sun's warm hug.
The kiss of summer rain.
The magic of the rainbow.


It is her wedding day.
Trees throw confetti.
There are games on the lawn.


Breezes blow, bells chime.
Birds sing! She dances
to the music of the universe.


Mayfly lays her eggs.
It is a peaceful night.
The best of nights.


She makes one last wish:
'Little ones, may all your tomorrows
be as perfect as my yesterday!'


Mayfly watches the moon come up
and the stars go out.
And is thankful for her wonderful life.