Witness

I believe we all need witnesses in our lives. We desire the kind of empathetic bystanders that care for us. We want other people with the willingness to observe and be present even though they are at some distance or have never met us face to face.

At a distance, it’s often the images and the written words that give the ability for others to witness events. Storytellers, songwriters, reporters and photographers can be very skilled at being the eyewitness to events that happen too far away for us to personally behold. Perhaps that is why so many of us have started blogging. It is certainly one of the reasons why I sometimes randomly look at other blogs. I assume that the people who created them wish for others to see what they see or read what they have to say.

To bear witness is a burden to take on. It can be hard to be fully present for a wedding ceremony or a funeral service. To bear witness is not just to be in attendance, but also to fully observe, despite the personal anxiety or conflict it can create. Some people cannot tolerate sitting by a hospital bed even with a loved one. Some carry gifts in the hope that the giving of an object will bring joy or convey sympathy without the need for more personal interaction. Egos get in the way, harsh words can be spoken easily in argument or defense of opinions. But, what has the most meaning for me when I am ill or facing a difficulty is the witness of a loving presence. I had a reminder of this during the past week.

Those times in my life when I have been able to let go of my own fears and conflicts to listen deeply to someone who is in need of such a witness, have widened my world. So, I strive to do this more.

The power of having a witness has shown me a light at many times in my life. And, I am particularly grateful when someone is willing to bear witness for me and give testimony to the events that shape who I am.