May she rest in peace and rise in glory

Today, the Emmanuel family, along with many other fine people, committed Eugenia Victoria Sedwick to the loving care of God. Miss Vicki was 103 years old when she died. She lived a life that was characteristically hopeful, joyful, and peaceful. Take a listen to the sermon below (staring at the 20-minute mark) to hear why this was the case for Miss Vicki and how it can be true for you too.

We Love Because We Have Been Loved First - Henri Nouwen

Solitude is the ground from which community grows. Whenever we pray alone, study, read, write, or simply spend quiet time away from the places where we interact with each other directly, we are potentially opened for a deeper intimacy with each other. It is a fallacy to think we grow closer to each other only when we talk, play, or work together. Much growth certainly occurs in such human interactions, but these interactions derive their fruit from solitude, because in solitude, our intimacy with each other is deepened. In solitude we discover each other in a way that physical presence makes difficult if not impossible. In solitude we know a bond with each other that does not depend on words, gestures, or actions, a bond much deeper than our own efforts can create. . . .

In solitude we become aware that we were together before we came together and that life is not a creation of our will but rather an obedient response to the reality of our being united. Whenever we enter into solitude, we witness to a love that transcends our interpersonal communications and proclaims that we love each other because we have been loved first (1 John 4:19). Solitude keeps us in touch with the sustaining love from which we draw strength.