Fragility
… the quality of being broken, damaged, delicate, vulnerable, wounded, weak.

Many want to live in a world that is healthy, durable, safe and strong.
Not fragile.

Many want to be perceived and perceive themselves
as healthy, durable, strong and resilient.
Not fragile.

But life can be fragile.
* The pandemic was real: people died and long-haul health issues are on-going.
* Wars continue with inexplicable horrors and devastating consequences.
* Some leaders ignore the people they serve and serve their personal greed and lust for power instead.
* Weather changes result in … breathing difficulties … homes being damaged or razed … people, animals, crops being injured and destroyed
* Killing of children is happening … in classrooms … on the streets … in grandparents’ back yards … at concerts … churches … shops … 
* Unexpected health issues erupt and lives … finances …  relationships are disrupted.

Life can be fragile.
* People don’t listen.
* Feelings are hurt.
* Misunderstandings happen.
* Relationships end.
* Trust is eroded.
Fragility.

The voice of reason is silenced by
* greed
* ambition
* desire for personal power
* egotism
* revenge
Fragility.

Democracy begins to fade.
Grief causes hearts to break.
Fragility.

But … fragility can be seen as
* resilience
* possibility
* hope
* strength

Think of the heart.  It pumps blood through the body every moment … every single day of life.  Hearts are strong and resilient.
We are, too.

Think of the eggshell.   It can be easily broken. But put a raw egg, in its shell, in the palm of a hand and squeeze.   Even under pressure, eggshells are strong.
We are, too.

The “I-don’t-know-what-it-is object”
(less than one inch in circumference)
unexpectedly appeared one day while I was weeding.
It was
* delicate
* strong
* tiny
* beautiful … like spun-gold.
Fragility.

As evidenced by the egg, the heart, and this “spun-like-gold-I-don’t-know-what-it-is” object, may we take comfort and realize that out of fragility, there is hope!

Cognizant of the fragile reality of life around us, and at the same time mindful that others have lived in difficult and fragile times before us of war, plague, violence, corruption, we can be fragile.   And, we can be hopeful … even if only for a moment. 

And then – we can be hopeful for another moment
… and another
… and another.

Survival in the midst of fragility
is possible.

****