On Forgiveness - A tale from the Madman 
Rodneyc//09

     Mustafa, it seems, had lived with us always.  Always there, always present in our minds if not in our souls -challenging us to be more than our egos would allow, more than our myopic meanderings would admit, and more than even our dreams dared to envision.  Mustafa, originally considered mad, had come to be known as the essence of wisdom, yet we nevertheless still spoke of him as 'The Madman'.  For what but a madman could coexist in the insanity that we constantly created out of our insistence on being right, or being great, or just being at the expense of all others.  The Madman, who had taken to our kids, who demonstrated through both living and actions the path of justice, the life of humility, and the essence of love.  The Madman, who even now prepares to embark on his final journey -home.  How do we part with a portion of our selves, how do we say goodbye to our innermost secrets, how do we let go the very object of our souls -how do we say farewell to that which has become so much a part of our very being.  And so we gathered, in his humble abode, with nothing but our sadness to fill the voids.  And it is to this void, that The Madman again responded as He prepared us for his journey.  Anticipating our needs, He asked what gifts we would have him leave as a portion of himself with us.  

     First a child did ask -"Speak to us, dear friend of forgiveness that our lives might be filled with redemption".  The Madman, seeing the hint of tomorrow in their eyes, shed a tear as he began to speak in low, almost inaudible words.  Into the hush, his words did break the hearts of all as we listened.

	"Let your forgiveness be as the morning sun, every ready to spread its light into the dusk of night.  Let it be as the beach, though ever tormented and ravaged by the sea, nevertheless greets it each day with a kiss and embrace.  Let your forgiveness be full of laughter, as you grace the other with your smile.  Feign not that your forgiveness be filled with testimony of your greatness or your magnanimity.  Let not your forgiveness overly puff your chest as you parade your adversaries misfortunes, misdeeds, or missteps before the crowd -that you might be glorified in your graciousness.  Let not your forgiveness be your cloak, masking your attack upon those whose fate it has been to seek your favor. Instead, let your forgiveness be freely given, graciously without condemnation, without reproach, and without the necessity of the forgiven to pay homage to your graciousness.  Remember that your forgiveness is the gift that you give, that you received from the Creator.  Recall your humility at this gift, as you bowed in humility at your shame.  Recall that your offenses have not been broadcasted far and wide, lest your sins overtake you.  And recall that your forgiveness required nothing of you, save the asking.  So, my dear children, as you forgive couch it in love, and in wonder as you embrace each other."




The man who has no imagination has no wings. 
Muhammad Ali


Rodney D. Coates
Professor



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