[blockquote source=”Herman Melville”]We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects.[/blockquote]

As I logged onto my Facebook this morning, I was immediately awestruck by the kindness of friends. Hundreds upon hundreds of messages from all corners of this world, each wishing for one simple thing:

That love may permeate our every waking moment.

Isn’t it a most wonderful thing to wake up to the kindness of good friends?And, more so, to bear witness to this miracle of love, without cause?

Strangers, now friends…working in a most perfect union, to provide for the happiness of others..

And, driven solely by this most magnificent power of connection.

It reminded me of a dear friend, Gus, from so many years ago – a German Jew caught in the horrors of a hate-fueled war.

All around him, friends…families…disappeared to the night, and not once ever to be heard from again. By daybreak, these stories of horror began to circulate – fear casting long shadows onto the hearts of even the bravest of men.

In those days, securing safe passage to another land wasn’t easy – requiring many months of planning, and a greater act of kindness to be shared.

So many dear souls were turned away…but, Gus…he was one of the ‘lucky ones’ – having earned a scholarship and boat passage to Oxford University.

He could have easily left, and none would have blamed him – to have someone, anyone, survive…would have been a most glorious miracle.

Instead, he gave his ticket, his passage to life, to another.. a very dear friend. You see, Gus knew he stood a much better chance at survival.

Not long after, dear Gus was taken to the ‘work camp’ – where he was separated from family, and treated with an inhuman cruelty. He marked his moments, not in desperation, but in helping others – the spirit of kindness doing more for his heart than a stale piece of bread.

And every day he held hope close to his heart, that his dear friend made it safely away.

As the months wore on, and the bitterness of winter settled in – even then, dear Gus never once lost the promise of his beliefs….that one day, the power of kindness would prevail.

It was that very evening that a German soldier approached my friend, having recognized the fading hint of the man he once used to be. You see, Gus’s father was a highly decorated German soldier during WWI – and this guard, remembered him with only the greatest of respect.

And just like that, the ‘fence’ was lifted – and my imprisoned friend was granted his freedom.

Gus fled to Bolivia, where he worked for many years in the tin mines – hard word, that would break any man. But, dear Gus would not ever be broken – and when he finally saved enough of his gold, he took the very next boat to America.

Many years passed, but not once did the memory of his friend ever fade – as Gus thought often of this young man’s survival.

To wish for something, but not ever know the outcome – was becoming the heartache of Gus’ much later years.

Nearly 40 years had passed, and dear Gus had almost given up all hope…when one day, in a musty hallway of a stodgy, old government building he heard a familiar voice call out after him,

“My friend…is it you?”

Yes, my dears…reunited after all those many years.

And, it was their connection that kept both of them alive.

So, this morning – I am left wondering what great things our connections may form, and in these… the ‘so many years to come’…

And, when I hear your familiar voices calling out to me in the hallways…I am hopeful that there will be more magnificent stories to tell…about the truest measure of friendship that ever was.

Namaste, my most beautiful friends…and thank you for the gift of your love.