I need to find a way to publish posts in the midst of 3 week vacations. Otherwise, here it is, too long since my last post and so much to share. It was a happy whirlwind of a time in the USA. Some things I learned:
- I hope I have my father's constitution. He's a sharp, healthy (except for some unsteadiness on his feet) 93 year old who knows more about current events than I do. He goes dancing twice a week leaning on his cane and his dance partner!
- Rings worn for a long time can carry the energy of the one who wore them. My Dad gave me my mother's engagement ring, which she wore for 54 years, and I felt her presence when I put it on.
- Old friends are the best when it comes to deeply sharing. Had a wonderful time with friends of 35 years in New Hampshire. It started the vacation well to just hang out and talk, really talk, about what's going on, where I'm at and where I'm going. There's a kind of listening that good friends can bring to a conversation that supports, challenges and brings clarity.
- Some girlfriends are great to go shopping with.
- Fall in New England is nature in her most spectacular colors. This year the leaves were gorgeous!
- It's fun to party with friends from a few years ago to check in and see where our various paths have led us.
- People are generous by nature when given the chance to be.
- Whoever made the distinction between quality time being better than quantity time missed the point. We need quantity time to achieve quality time. More about that in my next post but just having a good stretch of time together without a heavy agenda can lead to deepening relationships.
- Grandchildren are surely sweet rewards from the goddess! Is there anything better than early morning snuggles and giggles with a 7 and 3 1/2 year old?
- Love is the generous gift of the universe and inspires awe in its presence! It brings hope, joy and never gets old. Helping young lovers celebrate their commitment to each other is a privilege and a duty to support our loved ones as others supported us.
- 6 years of circling together and sharing deepens the bonds among the gatherers and the personal growth of each participant (more about this, too, in the next post). Can families heal themselves so that the present and next generation can be healthier? Yes they can!
- Being with family that love and honor you changes your perception of yourself.
- It's good to be home and now have time to mine the deep meaning of this rich time. I sense it holds important answers on my mission and role.
This is a lovely post. And yes, being with family that love and honor you changes your perception of yourself - just like you said. The funny thing is, in the last two years my perception of family has changed enormously - for the while I've been blogging, many of those whom I read and who read me have come to be 'family' for me. And yes, they have helped me see myself in a completely different light.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, ma'am, to my family.