We would that the leaves be ever green
but it is in their turning
in their burning colours
that they become precious
It is in their being stripped bare
that the trees make us long
for a beauty eternal
A flame undying
A love unending
An embrace of safety
without fear quaking
without us shaking
A peace to still the trembling
of our mortal hearts
God often uses our deepest pain as the launching pad for our deepest calling.
Godvine.com
Pain can give us new purpose and cause our hearts to expand as we reach out to hold the hands of others in pain.
What about you? What painful event in your life has called you to live more deeply, more passionately, more generously?
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.
St. Thomas Moore
So many signs of tenderness continue to pour in, along with meals and assurances of prayers, as we grieve the sudden loss of our baby Josephine during labour three weeks ago. We are so blessed by these many signs of sweetness. Thank you to everyone who has shown us such generosity and support. God is finding so many ways to say “I love you” to us every day.
Here are pictures of a few:
Two dozen gorgeous pink roses sent to our door from a couple in our parish:
A single perfect rose left anonymously at her grave:
A plant for me to take care of, called a Josephine:
All who have been touched by beauty are touched by sorrow at it’s passing.
Louise Cordana
Lend me your hope for awhile. A time will come when I will heal, and lend my renewed hope to others.
Eloise Cole
When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart. You shall see in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Khalil Gibran
Josephine Pilar, our sweet little star, we are so grateful for you! We will love you forever!
A Friday ritual.
A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.
A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.
Inspired by SouleMama.
For the last few weeks I’ve been busy playing urban farmer, taking care of my landlord’s gorgeous garden while their family is on holiday. It’s kept me a bit busy for writing much, but here are some pictures of the lush green plants and vibrant flowers, and some of my summer garden elves, too!
Healthy Vegetables
Beautiful Berries
Fun Flowers
Fragrant Herbs
Water Babies
Busy Bees
They sure love artichoke flowers!
Perky Chickens
Evening Sunshine
I hope you are all enjoying a lovely summer, and after busy hot days, relaxing in the sweet evening sunshine!
Today is my mother-in-law Janet’s birthday. She is funny, sweet, generous and strong, and defies all stereotypes of evil in-laws. She is one of my best friends.
I remember taking the ferry to meet her the first time. I was so nervous I thought I’d throw up overboard. But from the first warm hug in the ferry terminal parking lot, I knew I had been wrong to worry.
I am amazingly blessed by my relationship with her. She knows me better than almost anyone, and can make me laugh over the phone when things are rough…for example during the pre-bedtime circus with small children or when I wake up after a rough night looking like a porcupine and ready to cry because I can’t even remember to make the coffee. She knows how to put it all in perspective, and loves me despite knowing my worst faults.
So to an amazing person, a super-grandma who is so loved, and one of the most loyal, supportive friends I’ve ever had, happy birthday, and thank you for everything.
I’ve come to sit in the quiet church
to let it all go
The statues and flowers keep me silent company
while upstairs a group of children
sings joyfully to a guitar
There is a giant baptismal font
still filled with holy water from Easter
I want to climb in it and float on my back
staring at the ceiling
like I used to stare at the sky
floating in the lake when I was young
Until all the bitter colours are washed out of me
the blaring colours of anger, fear, resentment, regret…
bleeding out until I am pure white
glowing
new
Empty of everything
but an overwhelming gratitude
for the present moment
Remembering I am a creature
a recipient of endless gifts
my life–each day–a miracle
I don’t need to grip the ropes so tightly
to control the sails
I don’t have to see everything
from the crow’s nest
and constantly consult the map
The real map is in bigger hands
better hands
wiser hands
I don’t need to understand everything
I can lean back
close my eyes and smile
as the salt breeze mixes with my salty tears
Let the sound of the waves
lull me into a place of peace
so I can see this voyage
as a mysterious adventure
and not a problem to be solved
a gift and not a burden
Such simple sweetness I had to share it…I wish I could share the lovely scent with you, too, but WordPress hasn’t figured out how we can blog that yet! 😉
Hope your day brings you little moments of unexpected beauty…
Just East Of Crazy Land 