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COLUMN œ DONNA BONNELL
Awake in Peace
Embracing
Life
Requiescat in pace et in amore.
Latin for, “may she rest in peace
and love.”
The theme for “Embracing Life” this
month began as a Valentine’s prayer for
our loved ones who are deceased, yet
never forgotten. My initial goal was to
send those souls heartfelt wishes, as
they peacefully rest and await our arrival.
In the process of writing my fi rst
draft, a new message emerged. It came
in a roundabout way from
a revered and respected
teacher. On her recent
journey to Heaven, she
sent her fi nal assignment.
Glenda Kelly taught at
Newberry High School and
touched the lives of many
students. One of her pupils was Jason E.
Hodges. Hodges and I are colleagues at
Tower Publications, friends on Facebook
and neighbors. Today, Hodges is a brilliant
poet and writer. However, he may
have never graduated from high school
had he not befriended Kelly.
When I began composing my story,
I experienced the proverbial writer’s
block. My message was missing something
signifi cant. Therefore, I did what
many of us do when procrastinating,
I checked Facebook. Miraculously
(maybe), the fi rst post I saw was from
Hodges regarding a recent addition to
his blog, “The Dirt Workers’ Journal.”
In his chronicle, he wrote a beauti-
ful tribute to his extraordinary mentor.
Hodges’ words triggered tears and dug
up treasured memories. His eulogy held
the key for unlocking the missing link
needed to complete my column. Even
though I felt an uncanny connection,
my mission remained ambiguous. Since
another mental break was necessary, I
went grocery shopping.
Can you predict whom I (perhaps
coincidentally) saw in Publix? If you
Our contributions to humanity are an
essential component of our purpose on
the planet. So how can we be-in-theworld-but-not-of-the-world?
believe, as I do, that everything happens
for a reason, you already know the
answer. Yes, it was my writer comrade.
We hugged, discussed the latest edition
of “Our Town Magazine” and went about
our business. A few minutes later, we (accidentally)
met again in the dairy section.
Our second conversation was much more
meaningful — the legacy of Glenda Kelly.
After unloading my groceries, I reread
his blog. Hodges beautifully illustrated
one of Kelly’s legacies. He wrote, “For
years, I’ve pondered the saying rest in
peace. As I write this and think of Glenda
passing, I think these words are not fi tting
for her. They should be awake in peace.”
Awake in peace can be interpreted in
many ways. Hodges and I did not discuss
meaning, for which I am grateful. While
pondering his quote, my mental block
broke and the purpose for this column
was clear. Explore how to rest in peace
while still alive. This does not mean we
should avoid reality. Our contributions to
humanity are an essential component of
our purpose on the planet. So how can we
be-in-the-world-but-not-of-the-world?
We can begin by literally waking
up to positive thoughts — listening to
music or uplifting messages. By doing
so, we take conscious control of the
direction of our day.
Next, we should give, receive and
circulate gifts (goods, love, time or
money). The old adage what goes
around comes around is absolute truth.
The circulation fl ow can begin with
random acts of kindness.
Not too long ago I ordered an extra
ice cream cone and gave it to an unhappy
toddler. His parents were grateful and
amazed. The next day, while
waiting in a restaurant,
another customer handed
me a coupon to discount the
cost of my meal. A warm
powerful positive inner
peace ensued. I was awake
enough to recognize the
connection between the two events.
Have you ever practiced paying it forward?
This is a third-party benefi ciary
concept that involves doing something
supportive for someone in response to
a good deed done on your behalf. When
you pay it forward, you do not repay
your benefactor. Instead, you do a kind
gesture for another person. This is an
amazing way to spread righteousness.
When we embrace life awake in peace
and love, every day is Valentine’s Day. s
Donna Bonnell is a freelance writer who
moved to Newberry in 1983. She enjoys living
and working in the town she now calls
home. dbnewberry@aol.com
34 February 2013 seniortimesmagazine.com