“A Letter From My Heart” by Cliff Hazelbaker
At Dad’s celebration of life I got up and read a letter that I had found on Dad’s computer. I want everyone to hear what his heart had to say and if I can shout this from the roof tops I will! This man got it!!!!!!!! I truly believe he was an Angel among us and I am thankful that I had 33 years of this man’s love and wisdom.
A Letter From My Heart
I write this letter to all my fellow travelers on this earth because I want to share with them my deepest convictions of life that I have gathered over the past (57) years of my existence. Even though I have always enjoyed an open relationship with those closest to me I find that the opportunities for sharing our deepest thoughts are few and far between. Therefore I have chosen this medium of an open letter to share what I have learned, felt, thought and experienced in hopes of making the lives of those who read this more meaningful in their own travel upon this earth. I do not wish in any way to cause someone to change their thoughts because of me, but if I can provoke in a young traveler to think on a deeper level, to search out and prioritize what is really important in this life, then my reason for writing will have value to all my fellow travelers.
So, as I write I also pray for God’s love to guide, his wisdom to form my thoughts, and his presence to fill my heart. I am a man, a man with weaknesses and failings that make me no better or no worse than any other person. What I offer is unique only because each of us has a story to tell. My story will anger some and delight others. What I want to do in this open letter is to begin with what has become essential to my existence as I travel this earth. This will only be the first of what I hope to be many articles that come from the deepest part of my heart.
The first and foremost essential for living this life is LOVE. Some might argue that it is Christ, but my experiences of life tell me they are one and the same. So, as I speak about LOVE you can interchange that word for Christ if that fits you better. Understanding this essential is where all the confusion comes in. For me true freedom came when I learned that LOVE had to be unconditional. This dynamic love is a part of every traveler and no matter what terrible circumstances have visited your life you can always go to this place of LOVE. The great Quaker minister Thomas Kelly explained it like this:
“Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return. Eternity is at our hearts, pressing upon our time-torn lives, warming us with intimations of an astounding destiny, calling us home unto thyself. Yielding to these persuasions, gladly committing ourselves in body and soul, utterly and completely, to the light within, is the beginning of true life. It is a dynamic center, creative life that presses to birth within us. It is a light within which illumines the face of God and casts new shadows and new glories upon the face of men. It is a seed stirring to life if we do not choke it. It is the Shekinah of the soul, the presence in the midst. Here is the slumbering Christ, stirring to be awakened, to become the soul we clothe in earthly form and action. And He is within us all.”
This LOVE is our greatest treasure and all of us have access to it. Let us shout it out! Every traveler I meet is my brother or sister and I if I want real freedom and peace I will gladly accept them where they are. Not judging them, for I know that they are God’s children because of HIS LOVE, HIS MERCY, HIS WILL, and HIS DESIRE. As I live, and move, and have my being I will make this LOVE my top priority to understand and live for. And there is no fear in LOVE, because LOVE has cast out all fear. So, as you live each day ask yourself what will be your priorities? For me LOVE is at the top. Until next time: Grace and Peace.
Cliff
Excellent! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing that letter. Do you know the date it was written?
I am not sure of the date. I believe it was in January. Truly amazing isn’t it?
That might be the most beautiful and powerful thing Cliff ever wrote! Love it!
A couple of ladies from our department and who worked with Cliff had gotten a copy of this letter and shared it with us at one of our meetings last week. You could have heard a pin drop in the room once she finished reading….I KNOW that everyone felt Cliff at that moment…..we all miss him so very much, but know that, even for a moment…..he is right beside us. For me personally, I often hear him coaching me through these struggles that I had often spoke with him about. I find myself talking to him outloud sometimes….and I can almost hear him say….”ahhhh…..when it doubt…dance it out….go dance Munchkin!!” Ohhhh…..what a legacy this man left!!
Misty DeSonie …Munchkin
I do believe that LOVE is our greatest treasure. When I walk through life believing in love it seems as if my life becomes more simplified. Even though things can get tough and boy does it ever, I still can find peace when I look at those tough things through the eyes of love.
I can look at life as troublesome, difficult, unfair and even feel angered by it and not want to go on, but that just stunts my growth. Do I really want to go through life this way? No, I don’t want to. I wan’t to shout it out as Dad would say.
I received that letter that day and have shared it with others as well. As I was typing Cliffs words this strange sense came over me. I really do believe that Christ and Love are the same thing. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone understood that like your dad did? I’ve been wanting to tell you how much I appreciate your sharing it and am so glad you’re keeping this forum alive. Another thing I did was to click on Cliff and re-read alot of his writings. I think it’d be cool to bring them back occasionally and have discussions on them.
One thing is for sure, he certainly does live on
luv ya
Lisa
That is so true Lisa, such an amazing mind and such a beautiful heart.
Lisa,
We are all very proud to bring back Dad’s posts and have discussions. It will be interesting to see where they take us!
Love ya,
Mindy
I have begun to go back and read the bible and some of the books Dad was reading. It is one of the many ways that keep me connected to Dad. He loved to study everything spiritual. He was so good at it. I have never been a reader, but I know that George, Bruce, and Steve will help guide me along the way. I have never in my life seen such a connection as the one my Father had with the guys from Bold Grace. He was able to be himself in every way with them and he loved to tell me about it. I miss those conversations.