May Day

The name for the month of 'May' has been believed to derive from 'Maia',
who was revered as the Roman 'Goddess of Springtime, of Growth and
Increase', and the mother of 'Mercury', the winged messenger of the Gods.
 

May Mystical World Wide Web

When I was in kindergarten, we made spring baskets and flowers out of colorful construction paper.  We decorated the borders in our class room giving  it a festive decor.  As I grew older, we planted seeds in little plastic cups in celebration of May and then Popsicle sticks came into play.  I don't remember much about May Day in high school, but there is something about dancing around the May Pole once in college.

Married with children, I made little May baskets with flowers and got up early while the household still slept.  I deposited the 12 small baskets on the porches of dear friends.  It used to be one of my favorite things to do. 

I love picking assorted flowers from our yard and then placing them in different rooms in the house.  When I enter a room and see the flowers a smile is surely to follow.  I breathe in the faint fragrance and my body seems to relax.

Throughout the summer I try to be mindful as I am on my way out the door to visit a friend.  At the last minute, I will grab a few flowers and place them in a little vase or bottle to bring as a  surprise gift, leaving the container with them.   It can be a reminder of friendship or passed on to friends.  It is such a small gesture but it truly brings me pleasure.

So on May Day, my reverence for all flowers is rekindled.  A large assortment of flowers are planted in clay pots or random containers in our back yard.  The perennial garden has a head start and in no time, our yard is turned into a colorful garden of flowers.  Peony, Iris, Lavendar, Hibicus, Lantana, Calalily, Double headed Impatience, Zinnias, and Asters to name just a few. 

May Day, I sincerely welcome you!

Good to Go

 

 

 

 

Old friends pass away, new friends appear.  It is just like the days.  An old day passes, a new day arrives.  The important thing is to make it meaningful:  a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day.

Dalai Lama

The vacation days here in Key West have passed way too swiftly. The days remaining are too few, but precious.  We will try to absorb as much beauty and warmth as we can (up to 5 inches of snow await us at home). 

 

 

We will be meeting our friends today at the Key West Art Show.  We have attended this before and find it to be very good.  We will wander through the exhibits talking to various artists and hopefully make a few purchases.  Then we will have lunch with our friends.

 

 

Last night we ate at a neighborhood authentic Cuban restaurant .  The place was packed, the food delicious, and the prices very reasonable. Typical of our evening, we slowly walked back through Old Towne to the rental house accompanied by our friends.  We sat on the back porch enjoying these lovely souls, knowing the days were on count down.  This couple is a blessing in that we all like each other ... not just the wives or a business connection.  We all bring something different to our relationship so conversations are random, but heartfelt.

 

 

Little by little, I feel my self beginning to withdraw from this place I love.   I do believe the gifts I have received here would not have been so quickly apparent at home.  When we step out of our comfort zone, leave normal surroundings, and have fewer distractions or responsibilities, it is easier to maintain awareness of what we need to mend.  I have had time to notice different parts of my self needing repair and with the help of this gorgeous weather and diversity of people, I am in a good place.

 

 

In truth, I had hoped to be able to return home ready to leap tall buildings and spiritually fly.  So foolish these traps we set for our selves.  I am simply me.  If I am not me, who will be?  I must continue to be the best me possible.  This challenge may have been a life time project, but I am no longer "under construction".  There is enough time left, I hope, for me to put on the final touches and then I'll be good to go.

Corkscrews On The Top Of Her Head!

We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads are equal in value no matter what their color.    ~Maya Angelou

 

Many years ago, I became intrigued by a young woman.  We were both in attendance of our husbands' softball games.  Week after week, I would watch her ... always alone, dressed very casually in jeans with a random top, large round glasses, and very long natural curly hair with random corkscews sticking out of the crown of her head.

My curiosity overcame my sense of rudeness for invading her private space on her red wool plaid blanket spread over the grass.  As she appeared to be somewhat of a recluse I was amazed when she openly welcomed me to sit awhile.

In no time at all, Kath Ann became and remained one of my dearest friends.  We had little in common except our own individual uniqueness, but we bonded like forever friends.  

Kath Ann was newly married and still basking in the delights of creating a new nest.  I had been married for several years with two little boys in tow.  She came to my home often and we would share books, both avid readers.  She told me how she 'threw clay' and loved being a potter.  (This explained the few corkscrews on the crown of her head ... her long hair had frequently been caught in the clay with the wheel turning!)  She, too, had been in the field of social services.

In spite of growing as close as women can, I was unable to tell her of my failing marriage, my overwhelming sense of failure, guilt and shame.  My parenting skills were slipping, my focus was evaporating, and I longed to be invisible.  Within months, everything came crashing down.

When I told Kath Ann I would be moving within days, she was shocked and hurt.  She said she had known something was wrong, but didn't want to be invasive.  We vowed to remain friends.

Time passed and we both moved to different locations.  She furthered her education and moved to a California University to be an interpreter for foreign students.  She, too, divorced and I never saw her again.  She died at a very young age of breast cancer.

Kath Ann will remain my forever friend.  I treasure the years we shared together and I will never let her memory fade.  I still love those big round glasses and crazy corkscrews on the top of her head!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Little Soul by Neale Donald Walsch

"Oh we have danced together

you and I,

many times."

Neale Donald Walsch

"The Little Soul and the Sun"

There is a wonderful children's book written by Neale Donald Walsch:  "The Little Soul and the Sun:  A Children's Parable Adapted from Conversations With God."  (Neale Donald Walsch is the author of "Conversations with God" which became a series of very successful books. )

The parable is about a small angel, Little Soul, who understands that he is made of light.  He also understands to truly know what light is, one must also experience dark, just like hot and cold or up and down. 

Little Soul decides to take an adventure into the physical where he can truly witness the dark.  Another small angel, Friendly Soul, offers to go with him into this next life time to do something "bad" so Little Soul can be One Who Forgives.  Friendly Soul states that he will have to slow his vibration way down and not be who he truly is to be in the dark.  His fear of course is that Little Soul will forget that Friendly Soul is playing a part to be a teacher to his beloved friend.

A friend shared this book with me probably 20 years ago, and it remains one of my favorites even though it was written for children.  It is in total alignment with many spiritual teachings reflecting all of our actions impact each other and we are all one.   

Many spiritual beliefs come easily to me, but wrapping my mind around my enemy being someone who loves me, truly challenges me.  In truth, it has taken several years for me to act accordingly.  Thus the question, "What is the lesson here," followed by, "Don't kill the messenger!" 

These thoughts trigger many questions which act as a catalyst for forgiveness.  Based on the parable above, the people who have treated me harshly are actually those who love me the most.  Harsh teachers loved us so much they were willingly to run the risk of our judgment and lack of forgiveness ... to forget who they truly are ... to forget who we truly are ...  to lower our vibration to be who we are not.

It matters not whether you believe this concept or not.  What matters is stretching your mind and earnestly seeing your very self in the eyes of others.

A Friend Indeed

 

Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force.  The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward.  When we are listened to, it creates us, make us unfold and expand.

 

Shel Silverstein

 

 

Attending a spiritual gathering, I found myself racing through the parking lot.  On my way,  I noticed a license plate that I was certain I had seen in my neighborhood.  I walk most every day, taking in the birds, flower beds, trees, homes and license plates on cars.

 

Upon entering the building, I started asking several of my friends about who owned the car with this particular license plate.  As soon as the woman was pointed out to me, I knew we had never met. 

 

After the gathering, I approached this woman and introduced myself.  Our brief exchange was enough to determine that we had an instant connection.  We ended up car pooling a few times, then coffee, and then lunch meetings.  We discovered we had numerous friends in common and quickly became friends.

 

A few years have passed now and this woman easily has become a 'sister of my heart'.  Although she would sometimes say I am the teacher, she needs to remember that the teacher frequently becomes the student.  I have learned about her compassion, resilience, and desire to extend loving kindness to others.  She does not really realize how she is frequently pulled into situations where she becomes an angel in disguise.  She is more than willing to allow Spirit to use her in helping others above and beyond the expected. 

 

Life continues to challenge her, but optimistic she remains.  She is mindful to replenish her spirit so she can continue to generously give to unsuspecting souls.  Opportunities present themselves to her regularly allowing others to share their story as she is a wonderful listener.  She offers compassion without any trace of judgment or expectation in return.

 

Her friendship has been a gift to me and I treasure her presence in my life.  Our special relationship continues to expand and unfold as we lovingly open our hearts and souls.

 

 

 

 

May Day 2012

May flowers always line your path and sunshine line your day.
May songbirds serenade you every step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue.
And May happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.

Irish Blessing



When I was in elementary school, we learned how to make May baskets out of paper.  They were quite small, but a few wild flowers could be tucked inside.  I imagine they were especially sweet for a child to give away, but maybe only a granny or mother would appreciate the childish handiwork upon the first day of May.

The idea of May Day baskets stayed with me.  Not every year, but some years I was able to throw a few flowers together in a small basket and leave it on a special friend's front porch, ringing the doorbell and then running away.

Then I had more time so I could actually arrange some flowers into duplicated baskets and adventure out to all of my friend's homes to leave a May Day surprise.  They were not always artistic, but I believe my friends felt the love behind my gesture.

One day a sister of my heart gave me one Pansy in a tiny little bottle with a leaf for greenery.   In the moment, it meant more to me than a vase filled with roses.  It made such an impression upon me, I began collecting little vases or bottles ... chipped, ugly, china or colored glass ... and planted cutting flowers in the yard.

I am now able to snip a few flowers and choose a random vase to bring with me when invited to a friend's home or get my hair cut or want to leave a surprise.  I no longer wait for May Day nor do I feel limited to just one day.  I do this all year.   It is so much fun! 

Happy May Day

Everyone!

Linger in my Heart

If there comes a day

when we can't be together,

keep me in your heart,

I'll stay there forever.

A. A. Milne

Winnie the Pooh

The most valuable gifts in my life have been friendships.  I have always been a person to be surrounded by people, but few did I ever really let in.  The ones I allowed to enter, still linger in my heart.

For me, friendship is best compared to a large old white house with a front porch and a pretty fenced in yard.  There are passers-by I would be happy to hang over the fence and chat with, but I would not want to open my gate.  There are others who I welcomed into my yard, but very few were invited onto my porch.  To make it to my porch swing where stories were shared was quite an accomplishment.  Then there were the small handful who actually made it in through the front door.  They were my forever friends.

It is interesting to look back over my life and recall the women who significantly impacted me.  None are necessarily alike in appearance or life choices, but they all are heart connected. 

Once firmly on my spiritual path, I began to gather a Circle of Women as I needed heart felt exchange, support, and insight.  Since then I have led several circles and learned deeply from them all. 

Then there were the women who somehow grew to be more than friends.  They became Sisters of my Heart and we shared a bond that went beyond words and time. 

I have always been attracted to a diverse population of women.  I have such a thirst to discover all fabrics, to examine all weaves, and to create a rich and colorful tapestry in my life.  Some strands have snagged, some threads have faded, but all of these loved ones continue to be the pattern warming my soul.

I can only hope that I have meant something to them as well, these Circles of Women and Sisters of my Heart.  I linger in their hearts, still.

  

  

Hidden Silences

One of the tasks of true friendship

is to listen compassionately and 

creatively to the hidden silences. 

Often secrets are not revealed in words, 

they lie concealed in the silence 

between the words 

or in the depth of what is 

unsayable between two people. 

A BOOK OF CELTIC WISDOM 

~John O'Donohue 

Anam Cara 

No matter how diverse a circle of women, an unseen bond secures the circle. Over time, each woman in the group experiences the opportunity to articulate the silence dwelling within her heart. Even when fear holds words captive, the women offer understanding and encouragement embracing any unspoken declaration.

When we are separated from our friends, time passes, and life moves on. Then we find ourselves joyfully visiting one or all of our friends and the conversation seems to pick up right where it left off.

There is something endearing about looking into the eyes of a 'sister of the heart' and experiencing a special knowing that silently passes between you. A voiceless communication transpires securing the bond of the relationship.

In a circle of women or in the presence of a dear friend, one does not always find appropriate words. Women capable of listening with compassion to what is not being said is a greater gift than being 'silver tongued'. Even if the women do not totally understand each other, their simple presence brings comfort.

Having a place to sit with our hidden silences is priceless. When we feel totally accepted there is a restoration of spirit. We have newly found courage to move forward once again.

Abraham Lincoln's Birthday!

 

“I'm a success today 

because I had a friend 

who believed in me 

and I didn't have the heart 

to let him down.” 

 Abraham Lincoln

Frequently, it is our friends who remind us of our personal goodness.  We sometimes see ourselves the best through another person's eyes.  It is our true friends who encourage and uplift us when we are challenged.  Often times, it is our friends who call us into power.  It is through their love and devotion that we learn to become our very best.

Measuring the Journey

 A journey is best measured in friends,

rather than miles.

Tim Cahill

There might not have been this insightful journey for me if I had not had friends to lead the way;  and I might not have stayed on the path for as long, had it not been for their encouragement, inspiration, and guidance.  To this very day, I know in my heart that I could not continue on without the presence of dear sweet friends cheering me along life's challenging ways.

We are like flowers.  We can grow wildly on our own or fertilized, weeded, and watered by a gardener.  Neither is right or wrong, just different.  There is as much variety in flowers as there is in people.  Flowers can be quite similar, but there is always a slight defining difference.  Flowers can be different in size, shape and fragrance.  Varying climates impact the life span of both flowers and humans.  Just like flowers, there are some I deeply appreciate and others, not so much. 

The picture above was taken on a back road on Maui one year ago.  This isolated road reminds me of my journey for a few reasons.  The road, like my spiritual path, has had both steep inclines and declines.  Miles were traveled in silence, but the connection with nature was always prevalent.

Nature offers me a different kind of friendship, one that is loyal and true; inspiring and comforting; and always evolving.  Animals also offer a friendship having many of the same qualities.  We can share friendship with most anything offering rapport, verbal or non-verbal. 

Point being, we can be nurtured in our human experience through a variety of opportunities if we open ourselves up to them.  Plants, animals, and humans are all a significant part of nature. It is through friendships with all living things on this earth that ease is brought into our transitions.

In Celebration of Hanukkah

December 20 ~ 28, 2011

May love and light fill your home and heart at Hanukkah. 

~Author Unknown

Hanukkah known as the Festival of Lights is a very joyous 8 day Jewish Celebration dating back to 165 BC.  A  Menorah associated with this holiday has nine candle holders with the middle candle cup holding a candle to ignite the other 8.  Of the eight,  one is lit on the first night, and an additional one on each succeeding nights.   

Hanukkah begins on the evening of December 20th and lasts until the evening of December 28th.  The dates change every year.  It is a time for families to draw near, to prepare special foods, and to honor the Jewish traditions through prayers, rituals, and ancient readings.  

Happy Hanukkah!

The People You Need ...

God doesn't give you the  people you want, He gives you the people you NEED,...  

To help you, to  hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were  meant to be.   

 

This saying was at the conclusion of an e-mail I received this morning from a dear friend in Florida.  It triggered many feelings inside of me.  When I receive such a strong emotional reaction to something, I know I have emotional work that needs to addressed.

Currently, Spirit is generously leading new  people into my life to help me settle into this new transition of mine.  I am learning about southern traditions, sayings, and food choices.  New interests are being brought forward for my consideration and although the newness can be intimidating, I welcome the evolving movement.

Forgiveness for people who hurt me is not difficult.  In hurtful situations, a friend has been a teacher offering me an opportunity to evolve and strengthen my belief system.  I can wrap my mind around the concept of being thankful to someone who has been my teacher, but I struggle with the residue of personal pain remaining in my heart.

Tears escape me as I think of special people who leave.  Relationships are my most valuable experiences and I treasure the unique gifts and talents of each person.  People become pieces of my life puzzle and when they leave, there is a gaping hole where they had once been.  I gently fill each empty space with memories, knowing that in some magical way we will all be together again.

Then I think of people who love me in spite of my changing self.  The friends who stand by me, and remain present in my life no matter where I am.  My family who unconditionally loves and accepts me, helps me to heal the tender wounded places that await healing in my heart.

When all is said and done, I want to face the great Divine with a thankful heart for all of the people who were brought into my life.   I want to be filled with gratitude for all that I have become. 

 

A Place For You ...

How might your life have been different if there had

been a place for you, a place for you to go to be with your mother, with your sisters and the aunts, with your grandmothers, and the great- and great-great-grandmothers, a place of women to go, to be, to return to, as woman?

How might your life be different?

CIRCLE OF STONES

Judith Duerk

Our society is very mobile with loved ones located all over the world.  Young children may not have life time relationships with their grandparents or extended family.  The sense of community once found in incidental small towns is on a reduced scale.  The family structure itself has been and is being altered in it self. 

CIRCLE OF STONES, Woman's Journey To Herself,  by Judith Duerk, is a wonderful book for all ages.  It prompts the reader to look within to discover a personal feminine voice while viewing ancient culture and ritual.  The ability to create wholeness, which was once guided by the gathering of female family members, is now the responsibility of each of us.  Without the storytelling of ancient wisdom, the process towards developing our feminine nature can be lengthy and daunting.

It is for this reason that relationships need to be as real and truthful as they possibly can.  We must be the mothers, sisters and aunts, grandmothers, and great grandmothers and great-great-grandmothers to one and other.  We are called to fill relationships with integrity and openness, with our truth for the enhancement of all involved.

"Friends are the family

we meet along the way."

Girls In My Circle

***This last Christmas at my women's circle, Mary, a dear 'sister of my heart', shared this poem.  I have no idea who the author is or what resource from which it was taken.


GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE

When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'
Another, 'Let's fight together,'
Another, 'Let's walk away together.'

One friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies,
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself ...
Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many it's wrapped up in several.
One from 7th grade,
One from high school,
Several from the college years,
A couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother,
On some days your neighbor,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.

Holes in the side of the barn ...

Ultimately the bond of all companionship,

whether in marriage or in friendship,

is conversation.

Oscar Wilde



Women tend to master companionship to a greater degree than men.  Perhaps it is the physical expressions that accompany female conversations like a pat on the hand or a hug.  Then there are the little gifts, maybe unexpected flowers or a nice bottle of wine or a surprise card received in the mail.  So easily one's spirit can be lifted by a simple gesture of a dear friend.

The skills of communication are imperative such as:  acceptance without judgment, compassion without refrain, and listening without resolution.  Most people when in need of a friend are not necessarily looking for resolve, but rather just needing to hear themselves think out loud or just be heard.  Any friend must know how to just sit and be present for the other ... no special mantra or chant is required.

There is a need to let the bad with the good come tumbling out, knowing that the dear friend will never throw it back into your face.   Author John Gray states, "When negative feelings are suppressed, positive feelings become suppressed as well, and love dies."  Relationships frequently end through lack of healthy communication while participants scratch their heads wondering what happened. "What did I say?"  Sometimes it is what you didn't say.

When I was in high school, my beloved home room teacher, Vernoy Johnson gave me an illustration that I remember to this day.  He told me that words were like arrows being shot into the side of a barn.  He said that you can pull the arrows out once they had been shot, but the holes in the side of the barn would remain forever. 

So often we are careless with our words.  We say things out of anger that we really don't mean or refrain from saying meaningful feelings that might alter the destination of a friendship.  If in friendship we do not confront each other, imaginary walls are built, and healing may never occur.  I wonder how many friendships fall by the way side over simple misunderstandings.

While reviewing our lives, I am certain that other than family memories, our tender moments are laced with happy recalls of friendship.  We probably can think of funny situations, embarrassing moments, or heart to heart talks shared with best buddies.  A dear friend is priceless.  Unconditional love, gentle gestures, and simple acts of kindness allow us to enter the healing light of friendship.  An established arena of safety is where our friends stand, calling to us, "Well, come on!  Well come on!"

Walking Home ...

"We're all just walking

each other home."

Ram Dass

This morning I received the above quote by Ram Dass from my dear 'sister of the heart', Nancy (nanyoga-alongthepath.blogspot.com).  It resonated warm feelings within me.

Immediately, my memories turned back to childhood where friends walked everywhere, usually joined arm in arm.  We would 'meet in the middle' or walk each other half way home or walk to school together.  As a child, the walk was a sacred time to share hidden dreams,  sadness and secret crushes on boys in our class.  These walks provided time to feel safe with each other, reducing any fears that might bubble up in our little world.

So with this image of us all being friends walking 'home' together, I feel happy and safe ... not quite so alone while following my sacred path.

Beautiful Discovery

The most beautiful discovery true friends make

is that they can grow separately without

growing apart.

Elizabeth Foley

Loving fully

 Our purpose really comes down to loving fully,

to being alight with who we are

beneath all the names and titles

we are given or aspire to.

THE BOOK OF AWAKENING by Mark Nepo

My long over due visit with two college classmates stirred up memories of past years and reflected transformations in each of us.  We embraced the closeness and acceptance that only weathered friendships extend.  The uncertainty of life and death brought the three of us under one roof, and together we listened with open hearts, supported with sincere encouragement, and celebrated the individual paths that each of us had followed.

Our first discussion seemed to relate to each other as sisters of the past.   Most of the conversation was based on favorite teachers, current details of classmates, and endless stories of the past recalled with great humor.  As the hours passed, however, defining ourselves in terms of who we had been fell away, and we were soon wearing masks of who we had become. 

Three distinctive female personalities, three diverse life styles, and three independent professional careers were outer layers covering the imaginary cords that held us together for over 40 years.  The masks were slowly sliding from our faces as we moved through our career stories and began to discuss life from our hearts, risking vulnerability and joyfully finding compassion.

In our last days together, it was as though we had abandoned our life suits, leaving them hollow and unused.  Not knowing if we would ever be together again, our conversations were honest, meaningful, and thought provoking.  Together we decided healthy relationships must include equality, integrity, respect for diversity and compassion in order for all beings to establish peace within and without.

At the end of many days, departure for me was emotional.  In spite of all my spiritual beliefs, my human nature found it difficult to say good bye with the uncertainty of ever seeing each other in the physical again.  It was overwhelming to visualize my life without the presence of my oldest friends who have blessed me with unconditional love and honored me by graciously accepting mine.   I reluctantly returned to my little corner of the world, readying myself to continue my personal journey best that I can. 

A Faithful Hand



Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain, that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.   --Dinah Craik

Friendship: Place of High Safety

The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo
Excerpt from May 18th:

I have been blessed to have deep friends in my time on Earth.  They have been an oasis when my life has turned a desert.  They have been a cool river to plunge in when my heart has been on fire.  When I was ill, one toweled my head when I couldn't stand without bleeding.  Another bowed at my door saying, "I will be whatever you need as long as you need it."

Still others have ensured my freedom, and they missed me while I searched for bits of truth that only led me back to them.  I have slept in the high lonely wind waiting for God's word.  And while it's true ~ no one can live for you ~ singing from the peak isn't quite the same as whispering in the center of a circle that has carried you ashore.

Honest friends are doorways to our souls, and loving friends are the grasses that soften the world.  It is no mistake that the German root of the word friendship means "place of high safety."  This safety opens us to God.  As Cicero said, "A friend is a second self."  And as Sant Martin said, "My friends are the beings through whom God loves me."

There can be no greater or simpler ambition than to be a friend.

                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The greatest gifts in my life have been friendships and the most difficult friendship to honor has been with myself.  I would not be here today without the support, caring, and uplifting spirits of those whom I call friend.  Friends have been mirrors of my own reflection, spiritual travelers on my path, angels in disguise, teachers of difficult lessons, and delightful sisters of my heart. 

It is with great humility and deep gratitude that I thank all of you for being a present and being present in my life.  From each and every one of you, I carry a sacred parcel that helps to enhance the meaning of my existence.  Your friendship has offered me a "place of high safety" where I could be nurtured, healed, and inspired rather than wilt and die.  I would not be the woman I have become today if it were not for all of my sisters who lovingly and graciously witness and complete my circle of life...especially my daughter, Amanda Rose.