Nancy Cathcart: Awe Strikes Again

Sunday, 14 January 2018

A week ago I published “The Beautiful Farewell of Nancy Cathcart.”  Yesterday Nancy died.  In the intervening six days the essay was viewed nearly 4000 times on my website, eliciting uncountable expressions of thankfulness for Nancy.

There’s a sweet irony in the fact that I probably knew Nancy just about the least of all those who honored her with their words.

I’m unable to carry the sound of Nancy’s laughter with me, having never heard it.  Or the sight of her face working up a grin, or her eyes misting with compassion, having seen her only in a photo or two.  And of course I can say nothing about her dancing, or flapjacks, or poker playing.

That just goes to show how little connection any of us need in order to fall into a sharing of the heart.  I’d publish my two cents.  If stirred, Nancy would comment.  Anything more than a sentence was extravagant.  That’s as close as we came to dialogue.

And yet, with death’s appointment in hand, Nancy felt it a priority to send me a note of gratitude.  Born of that note, the essay was quickly transformed by others into a sacred circle bathing Nancy in love.  Awe was my response to being the universe’s amanuensis, a fancy word for secretary.

Now, upon reflection, awe strikes again.

Nancy’s reaching out as part of her farewell invites us to ask ourselves: To whom do I wish to offer a message of gratefulness before God taps me on the shoulder and says, “My love, your table’s ready”?

Because of Nancy, I’m dusting off my list.

Comments

  1. To find myself on either your dusty list or your updated fresh list would be an honor. I am grateful that I met you and Dear, shared a piece of me whilst you both shared you. I love these essays, nearly each one has the poetry of a lesson for me.
    Happy New Year, Steve & Dear
    With gratitude, Judy

  2. Steve,
    Nancy chose wisely when she reached out to you. As the universe’s amanuensis, you have been pitch perfect in your remarks about Nancy and what a blessing it was to be in her circle. Your ability to put your finger on the true essence of a person or an experience never ceases to make me pause and reflect.

    We will all miss Nancy. We are all better for having known her.

  3. You may not have known Nancy, but you understand her inner beauty and love for mankind. She was the one who led me to your weekly posts. Thank you for warming my heart every week.
    UVM class of 1972 with Nancy Cathcart

  4. Awe is right, Steve! 4000 views! Nancy was indeed bathed in love and so is my own dusty list as so many of us reach out to spread our love for her and gratitude for each other.

    Always grateful to see your shining light, Steve.

  5. Nancy left Vermont a better place for humans and animals. I am glad I got to know her and work with her. She will be missed greatly but her legacy will endure.

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"I honor that we are killing the earth for the same reason I consider being an alcoholic a privilege: it is a doorway to the profound self-understanding required to make truly healthy choices."

The Essay: Honoring the Killing of the Earth