Making the Connection

Today I had the opportunity to read once more Thomas Keating's experience at the American Cemetery in Anzio Beach, Italy. The gift of understanding sunk even deeper due to the repetition of reading the words again. This first time I read Keating's experience about walking through the American Cemetery near Anzio Beach, I connected to it. His experience resonated with me due to my collaboration with Phil to write Alpha Company's story and my own journey to Verdun to remember the unknown soldiers. While reading Keating's book, I thought about sending Thomas Keating my book, and a few weeks later did just that. He responded by letting me know he liked the book. A few weeks ago, I felt compelled to share his note with Jerry and Mac (both from Alpha Company). Both responded and Mac's note included this: "One of my uncles fought at Anzio and throughout the war, all the way into Germany. Like me, he was an infantry soldier. We come from a long line of infantry soldiers."

Today a deeper understanding arrived as I reread the words Thomas Keating wrote, "So I waited until the required date approached and entered the Cistercian monastery in Valley Falls, Rhode Island in January 1944. That was about the time of Anzio Beach and the Italian campaign. I entered the monastery specifically to pray for the soldiers and victims of the war." Keating continued, "I was well aware that I had been spared from this terrible war through not merit of my own."

Mac's uncle was at Anzio Beach in 1944, so Thomas Keating was praying for Mac’s uncle. Mac's uncle probably knew some of the soldiers buried at the American Cemetery near Anzio Beach. The thread of connection from 1944 between Mac's uncle and Thomas Keating was pulled forward in 2009. To you, it may seem like an ethereal untouchable thread from the past. But from where I stand, I see an endless multitude supplying continuity, texture and meaning. Mac's words deserve repeating: "Like me, he was an infantry soldier. We come from a long line of infantry soldiers."

Thomas Keating wrote in his book The Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit, “…everything in human affairs is interconnected. Whatever we do for others now will someday be returned. Even modern physics tells us that, in the physical universe, everything is interconnected.” The bigger picture of interconnectedness provides support and guidance during the transitions from the unknown into the known. They have gone before me and I can learn from them.

Does knowledge of this connection make a difference to you? Maybe not this one connection. Do I think it makes a difference to Mac? That's a definite yes.