The Stories We Carry

Last week I attended a restorative justice facilitator training where I learned the practice of community building through circles. This may sound complicated on its face, but it’s actually quite simple. Powerful conversations and relationships are born when people sit in a circle with the intention of presence and connection. In a circle, you can’t hide behind a desk or a table. Nor can you sneak a quick glance at your phone. Everyone gets a chance to share where the group’s attention is focused on them.

Whoever is “keeping” the circle (or facilitating, the language is flexible) designs an eye-catching display in the middle of the circle. There’s often a blanket or cloth, with a natural element (flowers, rocks, branches, a candle), and items of importance to the group and/or conversation. The centerpiece draws people into the center of the circle and holds the intention for the shared experience.

The facilitators asked us to bring an item with us on the second day that carries deep personal meaning. Because I was familiar with restorative practices, I knew we’d be sharing about these items and placing them in the circle for our second day together. I looked around my apartment at all my things. My eyes landed on a small stone with a black cross etched into it.

I received this stone about six weeks ago after officiating my first memorial service. I led a service for Rose, a cousin who I’d never met. I enjoyed learning about Rose through her daughter, sister, and cousins. After the service, her daughter handed me this stone and shared that her mother would be delighted for me to have it. Her daughter didn’t know where the stone came from or what it meant to her mother, just that Rose slept with it on her nightstand for years. Rose was deeply faithful, believing strongly in the power of prayer and importance of sharing Christ with everyone she met.

I never knew Rose or the story behind why she loved this stone, but now I carry it with me with reverence and care. I chose to bring this stone with me to the second day of training to represent how it’s an honor to carry the stories of people we’ve never met. I hope that one day someone will carry my stories without having known me. I am filled with hope thinking about how our lives continue on past our physical time on Earth, and that our stories continue to take on new life with each person who chooses to carry them.

Text copyright © 2023 Grace Woodward. All rights reserved.