Interesting word, isn’t it?  And it actually holds many nuances of meaning.  I often say “anyway” when I want to bring closure to a conversation.  Sometimes I use “anyway” when I want to change the subject.  Other times, I utter “anyway” when I don’t want to “roll my eyes” but I’m annoyed. (Yes, Sr. Steph reminds me of that often;-)….. And there are those times when I use the word “anyway” in the context of indicating something happened in spite of someone’s efforts, etc.

Yes, there are multiple meanings and contexts for this word and it’s so odd, because I have been listening to Martina McBride’s song “Anyway” a lot recently.  I once used this song for prayer in our Mission circle in Nica,  and many commented on how the song captured their experiences.  And believe it or not, I have a small displayed book on my dresser of Maya Angelou’s significant quotes.

Just this morning, as I was thinking about what I wanted to share with all of you, I glanced up and Maya’s book was opened to this quote:

“You may not think you can reach it, Climb anyway.

You may not think you’d be heard.  Speak anyway.

You may not think you can change things, try anyway“.

NOT a coincidence, more likely my God moment for the day….

In recent weeks….

I’ve spoken to volunteers undergoing cancer treatments,
I’ve spoken to several people truly struggling with the scandals in our country, in our churches, in our world.

I’ve listened to parents who worry about their children who are addicts,
I’ve listened to children who worry about their parents who drink too much.

I’ve watched incredible tributes to the Queen of Soul and an American Hero,
I’ve watched news clips of road rage and racism and irreverence.

I’ve prayed for a young girl who lost her battle with leukemia,
I’ve prayed for aging parents and beloved friends.

I’ve thought about teachers and nurses who are often underpaid and undervalued,
I’ve thought about students returning to school with a continued fear of being left out or bullied.

I’ve cried, I’ve laughed, I’ve been angry, I’ve been sad, I’ve been overwhelmed and underwhelmed….and through all of these daily experiences, I constantly say to myself….HOPE ANYWAY, BELIEVE ANYWAY, LOVE ANYWAY….because Hope, Faith and Love are what sustain us when life, humans and experiences may fail us….  Climb anyway, speak anyway and try anyway….

I especially reflect a lot about those who suffer most in this world- children who are abandoned, victims of war and injustice, the forgotten, the lonely and the hopeless.  And I pray that I can be hope for one, just one child, just one victim, just one forgotten, just one lonely, just one hopeless.  It’s who we are all called to be, especially when those we admire or those in leadership or those who are supposed to protect others, fail miserably.

I honestly don’t think that I’m much different from any of you, except I happen to be a vowed Religious Sister and you are living your own vocations.  Perhaps a bit different, but we are all on the journey of life, striving to HOPE, BELIEVE AND LOVE   any  way  we can.

Here’s the song…

And so, I truly hope you will take a few moments to listen the the song, “ANYWAY” and as you watch and listen to this song, I invite you to:

BELIEVE ANYWAY
LOVE ANYWAY….AND
HOPE ALWAYS!

Live and Be HOPE today and everyday!

Sr. Debbie Blow