The Miracle of the Ordinary Soul

I must never forget that in my moment of deepest travail she crossed the room and put her hand on my shoulder, an utterly simple gesture perhaps, but more graceful and helpful to me than the gift of a kingdom. By such a gesture she sought to heal me, supposedly the healer. As I do not seem able much to heal, then maybe I can simply be a responsible witness to the miracle of the ordinary soul.

…. My main thought is, let her be.

from The Secret Scripture, by Sebastian Barry

I would like to be a responsible witness. And to my own miraculous ordinary soul, as to the souls of others.