Speaking of Spirit

 commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mourning_angel.jpg I originally posted this several years ago.  Recently, after the sudden death of our dear friend, Wendy, I have been looking for words that might help those who knew her.  Here is my original post -    In the past month, several friends have shared the death of a loved one with me.  Some have sat at the bedside of a parent as they transitioned from this life to the next.  Others have told of releasing into the Creator's loving hands, their child.   At times like this, words often ring hollow.  They don't seem to have the depth we hope for in order to bring comfort to the hearts we know are breaking.  However, to say nothing, would be worse.   I have often responded by writing poetry.  The following are poems I have written and sent to loved ones when they are grieving.  I pray that their words will bring comfort to any of you who are in need of balm ...

"...we get to show the world how to open our hearts."  These were the words that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke yesterday as he and other Canadians awaited the arrival of Syrian refugees to Toronto.  Watching the video, below I could see the genuine warmth and welcome the people from Syria were given. What saddened me is the thought that someone must teach the world how to "open our hearts."  When did we forget how to do this?  When did we forget the basic tenant of every spiritual path in the world to "Love one another?"    Welcoming refugees, sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry, clothing those without clothes should not rely on politics - these ARE the guidelines given to us by every Holy text ever written.     There are many things I do not know, but one thing I do know is that this world is filled with loving, compassionate people. May this example of Lovingkindness be but the beginning of a huge wave of Compassion and...

In the past, there was a tradition of placing a candle or a light in the window if a loved one was traveling.  Guest houses would also do this, letting the weary traveler know there was lodging within that particular dwelling. As a child, we lit candles (electric ones) in the windows.  We also lit candles on an Advent Wreath. When I asked why we did this, the answer was,"to show we are waiting."   Now, we are in the middle of the Season of Light and Love.  Many people from many different cultures are lighting candles and fires of various types or will be soon. If we look back to the traditions from whence these rituals came, we find that the lighting has to do with expectation, with welcome, with hope. Expectation, we lcome , and hope are empty when we have no idea what it is we are waiting for, welcoming in or hoping to have happen. Therefore, my question is still , "What are we w aiting for?" If we are waiting for Peace, for Love, for Light to retu...

Tonight, as I was preparing for our traditional feast, the thought came to me that I wasn't quite as joy-filled as I could be.  Hmmm, I pondered, what was the matter with me? On Sunday last, I co-officiated at an Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration which I also organized.  The theme was Joy-filled Thanks.  I started thinking about what we had said during our service and realized it was time to walk the walk! So, I sat down and began to take stalk of all that I had to be grateful for as well as why this should bring me limitless joy.  Within seconds, I had a smile on my face, spring in my step and a jaunty tune running through my head.  "Give thanks as joyfully as if you were the person receiving!"  Someone in my life said this to me, but for the life of me, I can't remember who that wise someone was.  No matter. The idea has stuck and now I am sharing it with all of you.  Giving is a blessing to both the giver and the receiver, so......

  Photo Credit: Google Public Domain Images In this life, we all wear many hats. Sometimes, it is difficult to juggle the hats we wear and stay on center.  Parents have this problem.  They are parents as well as children ; they work ; they are active in their communities ; they are friends, relatives, neighbors.  Each connection requires different hats...sometimes more than one hat at the same time! Of late, I have had my poet's hat on as I have been supporting the work of The Center for New Americans , a non-profit organization that " provides the under-served immigrant, refugee and migrant communities of Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley with education and resources to learn English, become involved community members and obtain tools necessary to maintain economic independence and stability ."  As a poet, I am writing 30 Poems in November . People sponsor me, much like they do in a r ace to rai se funds for an organization.  So far , I am abou...

 Photo credit: LMRN © 2015 - Through Love's Eyes   The celebration of a wedding anniversary is as important as the actual wedding day.  On this day, couples have the opportunity to stop and reflect on their love for each other. Many times on significant anniversaries like the 10, 25, or 50th, couples have a re-commitment ceremony in which they renew their vows. This renewal or re-commitment allows not only the couple, but family and friends the space to remember why these two people came together in the first place.  They are reminded that marriage isn't all sunshine and roses.  There are plenty of valleys to walk through and mountains to climb; however, when the couple is mindful of their love and dedicated to each other, no valley or mountain stands in the way. So, in celebration of anniversaries, I offer this prayer: May the renewal of your life together be blessed, in order that you may continue to bless others around you - May your love b...