Give My Heart

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a Shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;

yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

In the Bleak Midwinter, Christina Rosetti, 1872

The last line of this song has been echoing in my head these last few days. When the choir at Christ Crossman sang this at Christmastime, Jeff often sang one verse as a tenor solo.

I have felt so full of gratitude these last days that it is difficult to express it clearly. My gratitude is not only to my Savior who was and is and will continue to be the gift of all gifts beyond my understanding, it is also to and for all who have surrounded my family and me with so much love and support. The prayers, the food, the notes, the cards, the calls, the thoughts have been overwhelming—in a good way.

To greet so many who loved and cherished Jeff (and us) throughout so many parts of his and our lives—his colleagues at St Charles, his students, his/our past parishioners from his churches before his retirement, our colleagues through the years, and more, was a treasure on Friday and Saturday.

I truly understand the sentiment of Rosetti’s poetry—“What can I give…, poor as I am?” Your gifts of love have filled the spaces in my heart. “What I can I give…: give my heart.” You have my heart. Thanks be to God for each of you for all you have done and continue to do. I give you my heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.