The Price of Presence

The Virgin from The Virgin and Child with 

Saint John and an Angel - Sandro Boticelli

Recently, in a morning meeting, I shared a memory of Mervyn:

He was at home, surrounded by loved ones 

who were having a disagreeable discussion. 

I can’t remember the topic. 

But the whole time, he was there, 

listening and lightly engaging in the conversation.

When we left, he turned to me and said:

“Do you think I wanted to be present 

in the middle of that conversation? 

I did not. But I had to. 

It’s the price to pay for our soul. 

We can’t pick and choose our moments of presence.”

Remember Yourself Always.

~T