For the Love of Sisters

A few tears are shed yet again as I hug them both goodbye. It always happens that way. I miss them the moment I drive away- that last tight hug ends so soon while I wish I could hold on to it forever.

It was yet another enchanting encounter- an extra-long weekend of fun and connection.  My heart strings could not stretch any tighter with the amount of love and gratitude I feel for both of my sisters, Diane and Jane.

We have been together all of my life- some 56 years- as I am the “baby” in the family. How I earned that lucky spot, I will probably never know but many props and great gratitude to the Universe for setting that one up so well for me.

They had enough love in their hearts as very young girls to welcome me home and help teach me the ways of the world.

My sister Diane often took on the role of the matriarch…babysitting me when our Mom had to work late, sewing me flannel nightgowns which always thrilled me, baked Christmas cookies with me, and made the best frosting ever!  She was such a fun sister growing up. She remains a fun and amazing woman.  Her kindness and generosity knows no bounds.

My sister Jane took me to yoga class, and let me camp under the stars with her on a road trip. She took me to my first concert! I believe my sense of adventure stemmed from her influence. Now- she is my steadfast companion on our spiritual retreats, and is a treasure to so many, bringing her happy and centered attitude and energy with her everywhere she goes.

It is an honor have these sweet siblings in my life- always there providing support and precious presence to me- even on those days when I might not be showing my best self.  It matters not- they love me anyway. 

It is a priceless gift to have two best friends’ who’s DNA and essence matches and blends with mine. It is a triad of perfection.

I may not live close to them geographically, but our hearts are connected in a way not tied to time and space. I recognize and appreciate how blessed I am. I am overfilled with gratitude- and when the tears do spill over when we say good-bye- it’s ok…because I know we will see each other again soon.  I rest better each night… knowing these two angels are just a quick phone call or a flight away. Their souls never stray too far from mine.

Hiking!

Blue Ridge, GA. Dad worked for NYC.

April 2015

With deep gratitude I surround them with all of the love and blessings this amazing universe has to offer and bow down with deep and heartfelt gratitude.   Thank you Diane and Jane!

The Unassuming

Have you ever gandered a glimpse of the Uncompahgre fritillary? No? Well, I haven’t either.

However, this lackluster superstar has quite a story to tell. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and pull up a chair. 

These small creatures have captured the crown on perseverance.  They live way up high- above 13,000 feet where the air is so thin, the winds so fierce, and the ground so cold that most who come to visit quickly take their leave.

No so the Uncompahgre.

They have a wing span of one inch…yes one inch- about the length of the last three words of this sentence. Yet in their meagerness- they are fierce warriors. They survive in an environment so harsh that it takes them a full two years to complete their development. This- for the honor of soaring amongst the clouds for a few short weeks in the heat of summer.

We should all benefit from the patience and perseverance of this unassuming butterfly- who does what Uncompahgre butterflies do- completely enjoys the time they have. Mother Nature may have lobbed a few curve balls their way, but to my knowledge, I have heard of no reports of this butterfly complaining.

And let’s consider the story of the prairie dog.

Not a dog by any means, but a very social animal who lives underground and who deals with adversity every day.  They are often scorned and attacked by humans, they are considered a tasty food source by many other species….yet the prairie dog seems very content.

 I have not seen any Prairie pupdates…no Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook posts lamenting their fate.

Nope- I just see their perky tiny faces standing tall by their small holes- arching their faces to the sun, and offering a call of warning to their tribe- to their coteries- if it appears danger is approaching.

Deep below the soil these social animals live banded together, living the best life a prairie dog might ever imagine.

It seems there are lessons offered from these unassuming creatures who share God’s great space with us.  

In our human arena, much of our adversities are self-selected. Our environment is often as harsh as we imagine it to be. We tend to take up space in the “WhatWas” and the “WhatWeThinkItShouldBe”.

When we dance around the present moment- we lose our balance.

It’s harder to catch that updraft and soar amongst the sunbeams. It’s a bit more difficult to feel the kiss of the Earth upon our cheeks. We may get distracted from our community- from our sense of being there for another.

The unassuming offer a footprint so deep and endearing that the very fabric of our life existence can be influenced and molded in sacred ways- if we just take note.

It’s not just survival of the soul- but an innate in-thrival of the soul- a knowing that all is well- that the Universe is conspiring on our behalf- if we can urge our eyes open  a little  wider, accept the gifts that Mother Nature offers, and allow any perception of lack to gently fall away.