A Wet Face

I was participating in an ecclesial service in a neighboring parish. When we were done, a friend who lives in our neighborhood joined me, asking that we accompany one another on the way back. He revealed a deep-seated sadness. He said: “more than thirty years ago, I was accepted into a university abroad to study medicine. Then my trip was faced with obstacles. Had it taken place, I would have been another person today”! I took it upon myself to remind him of some of the positive things about his staying: his job; his marriage; his children… as well as his parents who have overcome their old age with unimpaired youthfulness. He took back the words from where I left off. He said, "You are right." Then he told me: “Once, the institution in which I work assigned me to work abroad for a whole summer. My parents accompanied me to the airport. When the plane took off, my father seemed to me, from the window, near which I was seated, that he was faceless. His face became all wet before he collapsed to the ground”. The communion of life is both life and joy.