Scarred People are Beautiful, February 2008

I came across this bit of writing in one of those Antioch retreats from a very long time ago. After what happened to Little Nio, this memory came back out of the cobwebs and I googled to find the complete text.

My apologies if this violates any copyrights to have this posted here.

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Scarred People are Beautiful

Man speaks:

I've seen a number of movies lately, Lord, like Romeo and Juliet.
The love of young people, at least in those movies,
is beautiful...
so simple... so total... so uncomplicated.
They seem so natural,
so free in their emotions, so clear in their feelings.
I wish i could be like that, Lord, but it can't be.
Why is it so?

I've been hurt, Lord.
I have trusted and been betrayed at times.
I have loved and received nothing in return.
I have tried hard to care and failed often.
I have shared my secrets and, heard them
whispered to others.
I have been warm and received a cold shoulder.

I have been through it, Lord.
I've fallen on my face.
I've banged my shins.
I've been bruised.
Look, Lord, I'm all covered with scars!

The Lord speaks:

Maybe you haven't understood enough
Maybe you haven't learned tat human life is like that:
All Saints are scarred.

Young love isn't the highest form of human love.
The greatest love comes from scarred people.
I know that many people stop loving so they won't be hurt again.

But those people who do start over again,
who continue in spite of all,
who leave themselves open
to the possibility of being hurt again.

Those people are able to love again in a deeper way,
a more understanding way,
a richer way.

Man's response:

I think i know what you mean, Lord.
I've met people like that...
and knowing them gives me courage.
The great people are those who continue
to love with their scars.
I like SCARRED PEOPLE, Lord-
THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!

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Little Nio after his accident, with his aunt, Pa Kut. Note the matching shirts.

Children are more forgiving. I know that Pa Kut was blaming herself for what had happened. And I also know that she was deathly afraid that I would be angry with her. In this process of healing, it's good to see that Pa Kut has started to forgive herself. This, for me, is a really beautiful photo of two scarred people.