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Lights on the Journey: Marissa and Nancy

Marissa and Nancy reading together at the Dayspring

Marissa and Nancy reading together at the Dayspring

One of my deepest desires is to be known. Nancy, my house mate at the Red House, has ushered me into a relationship where I can feel everything that matters most to my heart.

Nancy is the “Lady of my Heart”. She is in tune to the emotions and needs of others and extends her heart to anyone who is vulnerable enough to accept it. Nancy has shown me her heart.

She has shared her joys, her fears, her anger, her gifts – everything that makes her beautiful. In return she has asked only that I would accept her love in anyway she chooses to give it. Because of this my heart has broken open and from it flows all of my essence – my pain, my joys, my memories, my suffering.

We’ve exchange stories and hugs and just spent time together, imprinting ourselves on each other’s souls. I am changed by every encounter, every exchange no matter the depth. Her friendship has helped me understand what is important – being present, being available, experiencing the fullest of each moment.

For me this means sharing emotions, listening to the struggles and joys of friends, neighbours and strangers, with the knowledge that the burden of life is easier to bear in community.

~ Marissa Wiebe and Nancy Murtha. Marissa and Nancy live together at the Red House. Marissa wrote this short reflection about her friendship with Nancy for the first week of Advent and they read it together at the Dayspring.

Advent at L’Arche Daybreak 2013: Light for the Journey
While Advent is a Christian tradition it has also become a community tradition at Daybreak for people of all faiths as well as for people with no particular faith tradition. For us, it is a time of reflection, story-telling, and ritual.