Micah Buff’s, Hopespring House Leader, reflection that was shared at Cindy Skarvold’s Celebration of Life
A long, long time ago, when Christianity was just becoming its own religion, someone wrote a letter to followers of Jesus. That letter is a part of the Bible now, known as the book of Hebrews. The letter-writer was trying to encourage new Christians. Partway through the letter, the writer listed many people from Jewish history – Abraham, Moses, Rahab, and unnamed others who were part of the story. They finished this list by saying: “we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. Their lives tell us what faith means. So, too, we should run the race that is before us and never quit.”
When I think about this “great cloud of witnesses,” I envision all the people who have gone before us, surrounding us and supporting us. Like the letter-writer, I think of famous people from my faith and from the world – Leah and Rachel and Jacob, Jesus’ disciples, the saints, Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi, Marsha P. Johnson. I hear the stories of these people and I am inspired to love better, to work for justice, to live boldly.
I also think of the great cloud of witnesses we have here in this community at L’Arche Tahoma Hope. People like Fred, whose knock at the door was the start of this community. Like Bill Downey, who inspired our annual service award. Like Alex Griffin, who brought his silliness with steady consistency, through many different seasons. We hear the stories of these people and we are inspired to build community together, to help each other.
Cindy is now a part of that great cloud of witnesses. It is so hard to know that she is not with us here anymore, at least not in body. And yet, we still feel her presence.
When the Welcome Center was built, Cindy became the “Welcome Center Ambassador.” Ambassadors make connections between people. Cindy made connections with funders, explaining how the new center would help us in our mission of mutual relationships across difference. Cindy made connections with the construction workers, bringing them cookies, watching their daily progress. Cindy made connections with immersion groups of students staying at the Welcome Center, teaching them about life at L’Arche. Cindy made connections with me when I started working here, frequently reminding me to get out of the office and spend time with her and the other core members.
Shortly after Cindy died, someone said, “Now she’s an ambassador in a different place.” Even now, Cindy is helping to make connections. We are connected to each other when we grieve together. When something reminds us of Cindy, we are connected to her again. And by being connected to Cindy, we are also connected to the rest of the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before her, in L’Arche and in our individual lives.
May the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
This is a hope for the future, when we will somehow be reunited with those we love. It is also a promise for the present day. We don’t have to wait to feel connected. Even now that there is an empty chair around the circle, it can remain unbroken.
The circle is unbroken when someone rests on Cindy’s memorial bench and feels gratitude for L’Arche.
The circle is unbroken when Cindy’s housemate, Debbie, calls Cindy’s sister Pam to check on her.
The circle is unbroken when I start rushing through my day and hear Cindy’s voice in my head: “you’re moving too fast. Slow down. It’s okay.”
The circle is unbroken when we keep showing up for each other in friendship, as Cindy did.
The circle is unbroken when you think of her.
The circle is unbroken.
So may it be.
