That sounds so much more respectful of that painful decision. She goes on to talk about the story of Moses’ mother Jochebed who bravely relinquishes her son into the Nile River in order that he have a chance at life. God relinquishes his son to us in a similar way. Nikondeha goes on to ask, “Might relinquishment be part of the architecture of belonging and not just an unfortunate anomaly? Does letting go prepare us for coming close? Could relinquishment be a seedbed of sorts, a rich soil of redemption?”
Relinquish is a respectful word that recognizes something of the reality we all experience in our lives. We must all relinquish, let go, of so many things, often so that the other may grow strong in independence. Relinquishment recognizes that there are many injustices in the world for which we must continue to fight. And ultimately, as we age we will go through other relinquishments, part of the shared human experience of living in this broken world.