Imagination encounters empathy

 

We can cultivate empathy in various ways. (Photo by cottonbro studio)

By Missy Enaje

At the age of 37, I know what it's like to plan, organize and orchestrate a funeral for a loved one. Without the support of my village, I wouldn't have the ability nor the strength to still be writing. But here I stand willing to talk about how imagination can cultivate empathy in different ways. Let me explain by talking about the morning when my child's funeral were to take place. Let us imagine once again.

I remember the morning. It was such a beautiful, sunny day, sort of like the beautiful day when my husband and I got married. It was perfect. I think I surrounded myself with worship music to keep my spirit at ease. The thing is, so much is going on that day, truly everything feels like a blur, like you're just going through the motions. What you find on that day, is that your village keeps the momentum going. They wake up too, having to face the day before them. They make coffee and breakfast for the family. They get ready, too. The simplicity of a functioning community doing the usual morning routine helps bring a little bit of stability to the chaos running through your mind and heart as you grapple the reality of why we are all gathering. 

Yet, others have set it in their day to attend the same event. Others flew in from across the country, even the world, to show up. Others will also travel in their cars, take time off their day to show up in support. It is also remembering that momentum that sort of helps you put one foot in front of the other. The morning was crisp. The air was fresh. It was very important to just be present and to breathe. 

Why I'm bringing this up is because I am also attending a funeral today, but one of a beloved community icon from my childhood. I am preparing to pay my respects to a coach from my middle and high school years. I empathize with the family on this day and all the energy it takes to just get up, get ready and go. The day feels inevitable. It is gut-wrenching even though it is the absolute most important event to allow our loved ones to rest in peace. 

Imagination does bring about empathy. So much so these days in a divided world where individual dignities are scattered, discarded and painted in such a way that strips us our humanity -- we need empathy to remind ourselves that how we treat our neighbors on this earth will be the reason we will know eternity in heaven or eternity with the "grinding of the teeth." That's the guiding principle for being a good human beyond being a Christian. 

May our hearts be light enough to empathize.