by MaryAnne Brown
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There is no way but through.
We have not missed the path of ease.
There was no moment that would have purchased security
had you grasped on and held it fast.
Was it not you who told me
there was no breakup without breakage?
No hard boundary without hurt?
There are choices to choose
and paths to be cleared and climbed.
But even Robert Frost knew there was more than one way
and what mattered was to make a choice—any choice,
the best you can as you learn,
and better as you go along.
But never perfect. Never secure.
Only movement,
not always straightforward,
but always directed by glimpses of the possible,
augmented by the hopeful,
tempered though it may be by
the weariness of the instant.
So make a choice.
Hold my hand and let’s take a leap,
graceless and ungainly as we can,
hold fast to each other
and nothing else
and see where we land.
Amend and reconcile and revise from there.
MaryAnne Brown first came to Callanish in 2009 during treatment for genetic bilateral breast cancer and has been coming ever since. Now in remission but living through unexpected permanent side effects from treatment, she continues to benefit from having been able to attend two younger adult retreats, a writing retreat and a regular retreat. She is forever grateful for the honesty, vulnerability and kindness shared in Callanish circles that encourages her to show up and participate no matter how low her energy is. The cookies help, too!