Summer reading opens new perspective on relating to others
By Mary van Balen-Holt
Summer is often a time to catch up on reading. I have had many suggestions from friends who finished a book they just couldn’t put down or who have titles of novels that are light entertainment, just something to relax with while sipping an iced tea or cup of coffee.
A few weeks ago, I visited my youngest daughter who is attending school in Virginia. We made one trip to an ocean beach and enjoyed the water and falling asleep on our beach towels. I don’t get to the beach often enough to use my time there to read, but many people do. When we walked for miles along the shoreline, Kathryn and I spotted lots of summertime readers.
One sleepless night while staying at her apartment, I picked up a book. I looked through her bookshelves and pulled off “The Soloist,” by Steve Lopez. I once had heard Lopez, a Los Angeles journalist, talking about the book on NPR. The true story of his growing relationship with Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a homeless musician, didn’t help me sleep. Instead, I read for a couple of hours, forcing myself to put it down so I could rest a little before the alarm went off.
I prayed for Mr. Ayers as I drifted off that night and have done so for weeks. This book not only shares the story of an unlikely friendship, but also opens the reader’s eyes to the problem of mental illness and its connection to homelessness in our country. I found myself pondering the complexity of the human brain, and the possibility of seemingly becoming lost in it as well as our inability to “fix” or cure those afflicted with some forms of mental illness in spite of heroic efforts.
The theme of “otherness” has been running through my mind (and columns) over the past months. “The Soloist” presents a different group of “others” and the attempt of Lopez and mental health workers to understand, help, and accept them. Unfortunately, society at large has become comfortable with allowing the mentally ill to live on the far fringes, out of sight, out of mind, and often out of the reach of services. Threatened cuts in state budgets will have disastrous effects on programs already underfunded.
But, in the midst of suffering, two hopeful themes run through this story. One is the power of music to reach deep into the human consciousness and connect it with a much larger healing presence. Music makes brothers and sisters out of people who seem to have nothing common and can transport our spirits to the heights of almost unbearable beauty or pull them down to feel human anguish.
Another theme is the power of friendship. As Lopez struggles to become Nathaniel’s friend, he discovers that despite love and sacrifice, he is unable to help Ayers become “well” and resume the musical career that was sidetracked by his illness. At least Lopez couldn’t make it happen the way he would have liked.
At one point in the story a psychologist tells Lopez that the friendship he shares with Nathaniel may well be making physiological changes to Mr. Ayer’s brain. We all have experienced the power of love and friendship to effect changes in our moods, sense of self worth, and outlook on life. But I had not considered that friendship could change someone’s brain!
I suppose I should not be surprised. God’s love and friendship through Jesus Christ has been transforming people forever. Old and New Testament personalities were changed by experiencing such love. Encountering someone who allows God’s compassionate caring to flow through them can be a turning point in one’s life. That person could be a friend, acquaintance, or trained doctor, psychologist, or spiritual mentor.
“The Soloist” inspired me to be open to recognize and receive God’s Presence through others, whether they be makers of music or a grocery store cashier. And, it challenged me to be open myself to allowing the Divine Presence to flow through me to others in my life.
Mary van Balen-Holt is a Lancaster resident and author.
Unconditional Love
By Janet Flood
My granddaughter Faith, who is seven, likes Hannah Montana. I personally think she is not for this young age group, although this is who she appeals to. My granddaughter has many Hannah Montana items. If she is wearing one, she’ll say “don’t look -- you are not going to like this.” Well, one day we were in the ear and she was telling me of a girl in her class at school who did not care for Hannah. Then, here was the shocker for me! She said “I bet you would like her better since she doesn’t like Hannah.” I was so hurt. I hurt because she thought I would like someone better than her because of her liking Hannah. I said, “Faith, no that is not true. I love you unconditionally. I don’t care who you like or what you do, that will not change my love for you. I love you so much. Nothing you do will change my love for you.”
Well one day, while stewing over something, I realized this is exactly how God loves us. We can stew over things we’ve done or not done and wonder if God loves us any less. But the answer is no! Loud and clear. God’s love is unconditional. He died on the cross for each one of us. I know how much I love each of my grandchildren and want to be with them and hold them and be part of their lives. That is how God wants us to be with Him. He wants us to want Him and to love Him. I think of the excitement when I know my grandchildren will be visiting. I need to have that same love and excitement and recognize that that is how God wants our relationship with Him.
Janet Flood lives in Johnstown, Ohio.
|