Trying to be OK when it's not OK
Mary says: This poem is written by a thirteenth century Persian mystic, but I came across it when a copy was given to me by a Catholic priest at a wedding reception. My own marriage was falling apart and I was overcome with grief and couldn't stop crying at the reception - I can't remember what the priest (or anyone else) said , but I do remember he gave me a small laminated copy of this ancient poem from his pocket. I still felt overwhelmed and ashamed and I'm sure many thought me mean - but the priest's kindness helped me to try to accept that all feelings are valid and we have to learn to live alongside our sorrows as well as our joys.