REFLECTIONS ON THE BEACH

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REFLECTIONS ON THE BEACH Dedicated to our son,
Seiji, and others like him.
Thank you to Sharon Dunas and Lou Goldsmith,
instructors of our NAMI Family-to-Family
Teachers Class of January, 2006, whose
commitment and love deeply touched our lives.
And thank you, of course, to NAMIs Dr. Joyce
Borland.
We cant wholly understand the despair of our
loved ones who suffer from mental illness. And
few can understand the pain that we experience as
caregivers. Except you, dear friends and
classmates, who share our burden. Thank you for
your friendship and comfort.
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We went to Newport Beach in the afternoon of
March 6, 2006. Our son, Seiji, has always loved
the ocean. It was beautiful.
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Seiji was looking intensely but its hard to know
what he saw. Its possible that he didnt know
very clearly himself.
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He did remember, though, from his days learning
to surf, that the oceans beauty can be deceiving
its power, frightening.
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Its gratifying to know that lifeguards are
available to help. But sometimes, like today,
they arent here for us. So, we search for
encouragement where we can in this case, in a
Christian book that my wife, Audrey, gave to
Seiji last Christmas.
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But, neither the imagery in books nor the roar of
the ocean can still the voices in Seijis mind.
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And yet, courage and hope from somewhere make him
long for something better than the despair that
is so constant in his life.
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And so, were here. What could be more uplifting
than sharing a beautiful March afternoon on the
beach with this seagull?
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What, indeed, except watching the seagull soar in
flight?
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This beautiful example of Gods handiwork
immortalized by musicians, poets and artists.
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What, indeed? Perhaps, watching children at play?
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Or seeing two lovers who are at peace this
afternoon, because theyve overcome some
obstacles together, and grown closer because of
it.
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Ah, but there seem to be quarrels even among
those creatures who make the afternoon so
wonderful!
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One could just fly away, I suppose. That might
be the right thing to do in some circumstance . .
. Its hardly for us to judge.
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While it might have seemed long now as the sun is
beginning to set and the afternoon becoming cool,
this day is too short.
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And were reminded that, no matter how beautiful
they appear, all living things can experience
fear and discord.
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Were reminded, too, that the beauty of what we
do counts for little if we fail as individuals to
help our brother in this case, perhaps, taking
a morsel, no matter how small, to one who is
hungry.
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Dont you agree that all our accomplishments
count for naught if we, at the end of our day,
have failed to serve one another?
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Even if he who is helped, fails to see us
clearly, he who sometimes fails even to know his
own voice.
Even if he sees beauty dimly, now . . . as a
reflection in someones window a reflection
of someone elses life.
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Perhaps, the most important reflections are our
own, therefore, . . . the consequence
of our lives having touched others.
LET US FOREVER KEEP THE HOPE THAT . . . your
light will break forth like the dawn, and
your healing will quickly appear. Isaiah 588