Today’s musings are not quite so tangible as yesterday’s encouragement to hope in the face of suffering and evil. There is a thread running through Nouwen’s writing which exposes his vulnerability and tendency towards self analysis. He speaks often of friendship and his painful examples make it clear that he struggles with accepting himself and others.
The sad truth is that he only lived for a further 8 years after The Road to Daybreak was published. He was a deeply troubled soul and suffered from depression and an acknowledge loneliness. Although he never openly called himself a homosexual, it is relatively easy to see the way he was wrestling with this in his journals and memoirs. Writing for him was personal and he made himself vulnerable in order to help others.
He writes of friendship as being crucial in helping him come closer to God. I believe his most significant relationship was with Adam – a disabled member of L’Arche Daybreak. 
Fr Henri wrote Adam, God’s Beloved, at the end of his life. I have a heavily thumbed copy of the book, which always moves me to tears of joy and relief; for in it Fr Henri learns the great lesson of life, which is simply to Be. And to be oneself in joy and acceptance.
I like to believe that the priest found himself in a new way. My only sadness is that the differences we have amongst churches, religions and ordinary folk, make people afraid to be who they really are. It is a paradox that the friendship which came closest to chasing away the loneliness was with someone who was severely disabled.
There is much to learn in the two books I have been speaking of. But in Adam, which was completed only weeks before Nouwen’s death his theology, vulnerability and sheer relief came to fruition. I believe that something special happens when we are with disabled people – if we let ourselves slow down to their pace, in acceptance of who we all are.
It’s going to be a busy week for me as we have friends coming to visit for a week. One half of the couple is the P-F of a previous post. Maybe there will be lots of different things to share. One thing is certain – there will be lots of talking and catching up.
I think when we take care of the elderly who are leaving us we also slow down and see things differently.
Absolutely, and other things slide into second place.
I read this book a few years ago and, especially as someone with a disabled niece and statemented son, found it very meaningful.
I read this book a few years ago and, especially as someone with a disabled niece and statemented son, found it very meaningful.
I read this book a few years ago and, especially as someone with a disabled niece and statemented son, found it very meaningful.