Two people I know are experiencing newfound love with one another in their later decades of life. They did not expect this at all, and they are finding deep joy in this chapter.
One of my closest friends has started making quilts. She had never tried it before, but as soon as she began, she discovered both a gift for it and a genuine delight in the work.
I received an unexpected gift in the mail, and it made me believe that exciting new opportunities are possible.
Spring has come. We are entering the Easter season. Everywhere, there are signs and stories of new life. You do not need me to tell you that our lives hold chaos, unexpected turns, joy, and surprising new chapters alike. But when we are feeling low, or when it seems like nothing meaningful lies ahead, it can help to remember: When has joy found us unexpectedly before? Where do we see it unfolding in the lives of others even now?
And when we think about our collective lives, I know that many things are feel grim. But once, the Berlin Wall fell — also quite unexpectedly. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was once passed. Disabled Activists once occupied a federal building in the late 1970s, demanding protections in education and employment, and reshaping what was possible.
Resurrection is rarely predictable.
And still, new life comes. Even when we cannot name its form ahead of time, we can trust that goodness can be found, and perhaps even more importantly, created.
—Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 