Love Just Because

Love because it raises everyone’s vibration around you. Love because it brings abundance into your life. Love because it makes you feel good from your head down to your toes. Love just because.

Love because it can’t help but bring a smile to your face and everyone you come in contact with. Love because it’s hard for someone to feel anger when in the presence of love. Love because people need love. Love because it’s hard to hate with love in the room. Love because you like feeling warm. Love just because.

Love because the world needs more love. Love because darkness can’t survive in the light. Love because your Light won’t have it any other way. Love because the devil in me needs your Light. Love because my hand touching yours pulls you out of the depths of despair. Love because there is no other way to thrive in this world. Love just because.

Love because the spirit in you remembers the reason you are here. Love because your purpose is to love. Love because walking your journey here on earth began with love. Love because it is the only way to truly enjoy life. Love because it frees you from the shackles of your mind and allows you to live in the present. Love because what you extend out always bounces back. Love because it reminds you to love yourself just as you are. Love just because.

Love because the angel in me sees the angel in you. I love you just because.

The Miracle of Friendship

Soul Sisters; Kelley, me, Jenn, Lauren, and Marjie.

 

Some friendships last forever. This has proven to be true with a certain group of women I met on the campus of Ithaca College some 35 years ago now. You know it’s a lasting bond when you don’t see someone for 20 years and you pick up like you just saw them yesterday. The same banter, same jokes, same smiles. The same soul connections. Only now there are miles of experiences to share; happy times, sad times, encased with a plethora of bumps and bursts along the road of life.

It’s this road that brought the five of us back together this past summer. Our Jennifer tragically lost her dear husband, Ron, this past February. One day it held the sweetness of Valentine’s Day and the next day he was gone. I attended the beautiful service for Ron, complete with a room full of love and ending with a heartfelt Henry David Thoreau quote. The same quote that is the main quote in my book. A sweet validation that our souls are always connected in this world and beyond.

After the service, Cindy (another soul sister of mine and friend of Jennifer’s) and I walked to the club reserved for all of us to gather. Interesting how a loss makes you notice beauty in the world more. We were commenting how beautifully the trees were lining the lawns of Buffalo’s most prestigious historical homes. Life becomes a bit surreal when we face losing it. I ran into Jenn in the privacy of the coat room, which was good because after not seeing her for 15 years we needed the comfort of a cocoon. She to melt into me, and me to be strong for her. I held her on my lap for a few minutes while she wept. Feeling our sister friendship that never faded. I still remember so clearly Jenn’s words pressing through her tears as we hugged, “I was hoping you’d come.” It was never a question for me.

Soon after, Lauren contacted me suggesting the five of us gather at either her cottage or mine in support of Jenn. I happily offered my place, and after a few emails with Marjie, Kelley, and Lauren, the summer weekend was arranged. I can’t quite describe the joy I felt upon seeing each Holmes Hall girl arrive but with every welcome hug we grew into what we knew. Loving each other.

A few wineries later, we returned to the cottage for more laughs, delectable delights, and reminiscent chatter.  Intermittently holding the sadness between us to allow Jenn her grieving space. Always holding her in the silence interspersed with tears.  We agreed that this must be an ongoing theme in our lives, to reunite every year or two.

Funny how the most tragic of events can breathe rays of sunshine into life. One thing I know for sure, this girlfriend bond that began back in 1979 will never be broken. The magic of love between our connected souls will forever hold the truth of our inexplicable, extraordinary existence. The miracle of friendship.

Me and Jenn enjoying beach time at her place this past summer.

Shifting Sands

Amazing how life can shift in just three short weeks.  From expectant loss, to tragic loss, to new birth.  Below are three short paragraphs describing the gamut of emotions I experienced during the month of July, 2013.  Just like that, life can change and bring you excruciating sadness turning to joy and light.  The sands settled on my heart and opened a whole new world for my eyes to see.  Never forgetting the light that remains, and simultaneously, opening my heart to new light.

Our dear, sweet Ollie flew into the heavens recently. We all circled around him and gave
him our last round of love ~ including Jazzy who snuggled in with us. Those of you who knew Ollie, know what a big gentle soul he was. He gave us twelve years of big love from pony rides ( when Rachel was a baby) to big bear hugs (to warm us) to majestic protector (literally coming toe to toe with black bear in our backyard). We will forever miss you, Ollie Bear, always in our hearts.

It is said, when two souls are deeply connected, and one exits this earth, the other is sure to follow. Our sweet soul, Jazzy, followed her love companion, Ollie, soon after we lost our big gentle bear. We were expecting it with Ollie, as he was ill for some time, but Jazz, it came out of the blue. Just two short weeks after losing Ollie, Jazz let us know it was time to join him. I should have known when she nuzzled him nose to nose as we circled around him to give our last round of love.  They came to us as pups twelve short years ago, and now their souls will live together forever. We miss you, my angel girl, always full of love and loyalty. Always with kindness in your heart. Always my soul connector. Fly high with Ollie and shine your angel wings around us. You are both forever in our hearts.

Well, I thought it was too soon for a little one to enter our lives after losing Jazz & Ollie, but my daughter, Rachel, was persistent and I caved. So happy that I did because little Jude has brought back that spark that diminished when Jazz & Ollie left. I feel them with us more than ever ~ in every hug, every smile, and especially when I see Luke & Jude romping together. The love continues to expand.

I suppose it’s no surprise that I’ve had so many animals come and go in my life. I grew up on a farm and my husband, Mike, is a veterinarian. We were very fortunate to be able to say goodbye to Ollie in the comfort of our home.  Our circle of love consisted of me, Mike, and our three girls, Kelley, Becca, and Rachel…and then Jazzy snuggled in.  They know, don’t they? Our animals feel more than we think they’re aware of.  Spiritually, I believe they’re much more in tune than the human race…that is, until we strip away those layers of conditional life.  I have been blessed with a plethora of animal souls streaming through my life.  There is no doubt, when I move into the spirit world, it will provide peace, love, warmth, and yes, a boatload of four-legged loves.

Christmas Love

And Peace to All Beings on Earth

Wishing you all a beautiful Christmas full of Light and Love.  May we all remember to shed kindness upon one another in the days to come, and may we cherish each moment of everyday.  Life is a precious gift.  Let us embrace it with the grace of a deer and the innocence of a child. ~Namaste~

 

Believe In Me

“Too many hearts have been broken, failing to trust what they feel…Trust isn’t something that’s spoken, and love’s never wrong when it’s real” ~Dan Fogelberg

Thank you, Dan, for the many years of love and emotion felt through your music.  I see you flying with the angels~ Peace

Click on the link below for a beautiful Dan Song…

http://youtu.be/F8E-f8938hY

The Great Ship Of Friendship

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.  “Pooh!” he whispered.  “Yes, Piglet?”  “Nothing,”  said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw.  “I just wanted to be sure of you.”  ~A.A. Milne

Isn’t it a beautiful feeling when you know you can count on someone?  If you can add on one hand those you know will be there for you, no matter what, you are blessed.  Friendship isn’t a one way street of taking, it is a back and forth motion of giving and receiving.  A feeling of warmth that is indescribable in words.  My angels not only surround me in the Spirit world,  they gather around me here on the earth plane.  How blessed are we when we find this connection, true love in all its purity.

Thank you, my friends, for providing comfort when the rest of the world dims to dark.  You keep me on my light path, soul connections  banded together, paving the way.  Wrapped in angels wings.

Bouncing my love back to you…

Sideways

“These feelings won’t go away, they’ve been knocking me sideways, I keep thinking in a moment that time will take them away…these feelings won’t go away”  ~Citizen Cope

We’ve all been there, knocked sideways with an emotional bang.  You’re moving along in life, all seems fine, and then out of nowhere comes this pain so deep it knocks you off your feet.  If you’ve loved and lost, you know this feeling buried deep down in your gut.  You know the sadness and hurt, the anger and frustration.  All emotions must be dealt with and released or the pain will continue to manifest in other areas of your life, causing you to stagnate and repeat the cycle over and over again.  In time, self-love opens the door and you set your Spirit free again.

My daughters attended The Pulse dance convention this past weekend, and what a glorious experience it was! Among many exceptional choreographers, Tyce Diorio choreographed a piece to Citizen Cope’s Sideways.  The feeling and expression he conveyed took the lyrics and music to a whole new level.  Every movement held its own statement, allowing each dancer to reveal their personal release.   When we express our emotions through movement our body and soul tell the story, as our hearts live the tale.  It is an amazingly cathartic and beautiful way to feel every emotion.

May I suggest you click on the link below, close your eyes and FEEL what comes to you through the music.  Move to it, feel it, breathe it, BE it.  I’ve loved this song for some time now but to see it expressed through dance added a whole new dimension.  My heart swelled.  This is my favorite version of Sideways, Citizen Cope with Santana.  Enjoy your flow….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fpKncoeF3g

Soul Connection

“A soul connection is a resonance between two people who respond to the essential beauty of each others individual natures, behind their facades, and who connect on this deeper level. This kind of mutual recognition provides the catalyst for a potent alchemy. It is a sacred alliance whose purpose is to help both partners discover and realize their deepest potentials. While a heart connection lets us appreciate those we love just as they are, a soul connection opens up a further dimension — seeing and loving them for who they could be, and for who we could become under their influence. This means recognizing that we both have an important part to play in helping each other become more fully who we are….A soul connection not only inspires us to expand, but also forces us to confront whatever stands in the way of that expansion.”

~John Welwood

This is for all the beautiful souls that have passed in and out of my life.  Some remain and some move through, leaving a mark, never to be forgotten.  For all of you, I give gratitude for the ups, the downs, and all the in-betweens.  The lessons learned, as I continue to climb this path, are blessings given to me by each and every one of you.  In my life…I love you all!

Click below for a Beatles delight…my personal fav:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3wvUwb4p4Q

Peace Begins Within

“Peace starts within each one of us.  When we have inner peace we can be at peace with those around us.” ~Dalai Lama

A dear friend of mine sent me this quote from the Dalai Lama the other day.  We were talking about how holiday time can be stressful for many families as it brings up a multitude of emotions. There are numerous expectations set around the holidays; the “supposed to’s”  of who gathers where, who’s getting along with whom, and the comfort level of the family dynamics.

When we take the time to go inward, and tap into our own peaceful place, the world around us appears to settle quietly, like the early morning snow on a sturdy spruce.  True peace can only be felt when our hearts open to loving ourselves and those around us.  I learned this lesson of love from my Father early on in my life.  There were certainly many times he could have thrown his arms up in frustration with his eight kids, and walked away, but he never did.  Instead, he chose a peaceful stance, never judged, and waited.  He might not have agreed with our choices, but he chose to stand by with a quiet strength.  Of course there were trials and difficulties, just imagine growing up with five brothers and two sisters in the 60’s and 70’s, but my parents always backed each other up when it came to dealing with all of us.  And in the end….Love Stood.

Below is a photo of my parents that has been floating around my family this holiday season.  This is where it all began…. and then there were ten!

Wishing you all love and peace in your hearts today and always.  When we get caught up in the illusion of what it is we’re dealing with, remember, peace is only a heartbeat away….

Walking Through Illusion with Betsy Otter Thompson

To listen to my Help, Hope & Healing interview with Betsy Otter Thompson, simply go to the category, AM-WWLZ820 Talk Radio and click on the link, “Walking Through Illusion with Betsy Otter Thompson”.  A beautiful and inspiring book, as we all learn to love ourselves more through the teachings and examples of Jesus.

Namaste and have yourself a salubrious day!