We can indeed make our sorrows, just as much as our joys, part of the celebration of life in the deep realization that life and death are not opponents but do, in fact, kiss each other at every moment of our existence. When we are born we become free to breathe on our own but lose the safety of our mothes bodies; when we go to school we are free to join a greater society but lose a particular place in our families; when we marry we find a new partner but lose the special tie we had with our parents; when we find work we win our independence by making our own money but lose the stimulation of teachers and fellow students; when we receive children we discover a new world but lose much of our freedom to move; when we are promoted we become more important in the eyes of others but lose the chance to take many risks; when we retire we finally have the chance to do what we wanted but lose the support of being wanted. When we have been able to celebrate life in all these decisive moments where gaining and losing - that is life and death - touched each other all the time, we will be able to celebrate even our own dying because we have learned from life that the one who loses it (to Christ) finds it (Mt 16:25)
- Henri J. M. Nouwen from In Ministry and Spirtuality
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