"The Best Years" by Rev. Barbara Merritt

[Memos from Rev. Barbara Merritt and Rev. Tom Schade]

M I N I S T E R’ S   M E M O

“The Best Years”

A friend announced that 2007 was a “bad year.” He had experienced a
significant number of deaths and setbacks, so I certainly understood the
source of his pain. Nevertheless, I was surprised that he could summarize an
entire year in the negative column. He had also experienced countless
moments of laughter, satisfaction and joy. There had been beautiful sunsets
and good meals shared with friends. There had been your normal garden
variety of happy gardening activities. In other words, like most years,
there had been a mixed harvest.

While there is a natural and human proclivity to judge what fate has brought
to our doors (and how successful we feel we have been at achieving our
goals) I suspect most of us are pretty clueless about what is really going
well and what is not. The Patriots have certainly had a banner year, as have
the Red Sox. Sports teams have measurable seasons and particular games to
win. But human beings inhabit a much more complex and mysterious realm.

I will never forgot when the actor Michael Caine was asked what was his best
work, his favorite film, the project he was most proud of. He smiled and
replied, “The next one.” The challenges that lie ahead are powerful,
captivating and hold a far greater promise and potential than anything that
has gone before.

Watching the Kennedy Center Honors this week, I was stunned to hear the
story of Leon Fleisher, a childhood prodigy in music, a virtuoso pianist as
a young man. Early in his professional career when he was already being
called the “best in the world,” his right hand became paralyzed, frozen. No
medical treatment at that time could repair the damage. He could have quit,
become bitter or left behind the world of music altogether. Instead, he
became a master teacher at Peabody Conservatory of Music. And his
achievements and reputation as an inspiring and phenomenal teacher, if
anything, surpassed his concert accomplishments.

Even the Patriots (after a brief time of celebration) are far more focused
on the playoffs than on 16 consecutive wins. As one player commented in
today’s paper, “We begin the second part of our season 0-0.” Who they are as
a team is now about how they will play in the weeks ahead. This also might
be said for the rest of us. We begin 2008 with a new slate, with nothing
settled. And in 2008, in all likelihood, there will be moments of enormous
grace, as well as moments of heartbreak and frustration. The trick is to
take a lively interest in the next chapter.

My new favorite song comes from an old Broadway musical entitled, “No
Strings.” It has only one verse, sung repeatedly by many in the cast. For me
it offers a profoundly spiritual promise in regards to what God has in store
for every soul. The words are simple:
The sweetest song you’ll ever hear
         is still inside your head.
The kindest words you’ll ever hear
         are waiting to be said.
The most entrancing sight of all
         is still for you to see.
And the dearest love in all the world
         is waiting somewhere for me
.
May you hear the music that is waiting for you in the days and months ahead.
And may this New Year remind you that the best is yet to be!










P.S. I am delighted to announce that the Prudential Committee has approved
my returning to First Unitarian with an expanded schedule in 2008. I am
profoundly grateful that the church gave me the time I needed in 2007 to
take care of my husband. But now, rather than only being here half the
Sundays, I will be here 3 out of 4. I will increase my hours from half time
to two-thirds time. I look forward to working with Tom and the leadership of
this church. Who knows? The best days of the First Unitarian Church may be
the ones ahead of us!

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