How a Swedish proverb about shared joy and sorrow came true in Paris
A Swedish proverb about shared joy and sorrow comes alive as the author reunites with old friends in Paris, discovering that sharing life’s moments deepens both joy and faith.
By Greg Asimakoupoulos | FāVS News Columnist
The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News.
One of my favorite slogans is an old Swedish proverb: “A shared joy is a doubled joy! And a shared sorrow is half a sorrow!”
I have validated the truth of this proverb over and over again as a pastor. Even in my current role as alumni ambassador at Seattle Pacific University, I have witnessed how sharing experiences with others multiplies the meaningfulness of them.
As I welcome returning alumni to campus for their 50-year reunion, I can attest to the joy these former students have reliving memories together. And when they share hardships and heartaches they’ve endured, there is a cathartic empathy that is truly sacred.
Connecting with good friends
Two weeks ago my wife and I were traveling in Europe. Because my wife was a French major at Seattle Pacific, we included Paris in our itinerary. We enjoyed seeing the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral. But the highlight of our time in the “city of light” was an afternoon with longtime friends Gail and Dale Foreman who happened to be vacationing for a month in Paris.
Gail was a classmate of mine at Wenatchee High School. She, like me, went on to Seattle Pacific where she met her future spouse. Her husband Dale, also an SPU alum, was assistant dean of students at SPU when Gail, Wendy (my wife) and I were on campus.
Following Harvard Law School, Dale opened his practice in Wenatchee where our friendship continued to grow as I would visit my family regularly even though our family lived in California and Illinois.
What fun it was to connect with good friends who have grown to know Paris in their many years of vacationing there. As we walked through the 6eme, it was obvious that both Gail and Dale were pleased to show us their neighborhood near the Seine. A shared joy is a doubled joy.
A doubled joy in action
Gail shepherded us through Saint Sulpice which is one of the oldest and most impressive churches in Paris. As we viewed a painting by Eugène Delacroix in the Chapel of the Holy Angels, I could sense Gail’s delight in sharing something so meaningful to her. And sharing in her delight made the experience much more special than if we’d happened into that church by ourselves.
Following a walk through the famed Luxembourg Gardens and viewing the Medici fountain, Dale guided us to his favorite church. Saint Etienne du Mont houses the burial sites of both theologian and philosopher Blaise Pascal and Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. His joy in sharing his knowledge of this beautiful church was contagious.
The afternoon was capped off with a tour of their modest apartment and a delicious lunch at a quaint café owned by a family Dale and Gail have gotten to know.
Once again, sharing with Wendy and me something that was the source of personal enjoyment increased the delight of our hosts. Our conversation recalled memories of friends from high school and college. It also focused on the pain of losing our parents. A shared sorrow is half a sorrow.
It became apparent to me that inviting others to experience what we have found to be deeply meaningful and life changing is quite fulfilling. Come to think of it, sharing our joys and our sorrows all the while sharing our lives is a natural means of sharing our faith. And sharing our faith is what the Great Commission calls Christ-followers to do.
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