Ocean Stones

I recently received a beautiful card from a friend; a painting of several time and tide worn rocks. I want to share what was written on the back of the card:

"Ocean tumbled stones, polished smooth by sand and pounding surf. Hard as a rock, yet soft to the touch. their colors, formed deep in the earth in complete darkness, often reveal vivid colors, complete patterns and sparkling iridescence when brought out into the light.

The ocean gathers these stones from disparate shorelines and transports them with the tides. As they roll together in the surf, they harmonize with the symphony of the breaking waves. how many of us further their journey as we surreptitiously or shamelessly collect these hart-warming stones and carry them far inland to decorate our homes and cheer our souls?

Perhaps they can teach us to appreciate life tumbling our own rough edges, and allow the wear and tear we've sustained to mellow and smooth us too."
"Choose three pebbles, toss one into the sea, casting away that which we must let go of. Place on on a cairn to make this moment's prayer. take on home to start a new beginning."
-an oral tradition from Iona, Scotland

The card was as beautiful as the words penned on the back, which I found comforting. Just as the ocean gathers stones from disparate shorelines, the tides of life also gather emotions from disparate places and transports them allowing them to ebb and flow and harmonize into our lives, teaching us, soothing us and sometimes challenging us. Over time the raw emotions become smoother, quieter and often ultimately turn the darkness into light. But it is never a quick process...but one which ultimately yields beautiful results.

May the sharp edges of your life be smoothed.
Peace.

Footprints in the Sand and A Wise Old Owl

I am very sad...but Jesus is carrying me at the moment.

I am sure most of you are familiar with the "Footprints" story. It has made its way on to numerous plaques, chachki's (I am certain that spelling is wrong; a little gift store gizmo item...) and postcards. If you are not familiar with it, it is basically a story of two sets of footprints in the sand. One for a man who dreamed this story, and one for the Lord. The story unfolds, but at the end there is only one set of footprints. When the man questioned why, the Lord answered, "During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

My dad gave me this postcard on January 28th when I went to the fabulous dinner with him.

I am being carried.


There are several other touches of grace (of course, with every drop of grace comes a kick in the you know what, but then that means the kicker is behind me as it should be. You know, get behind me Satan...)

Another touch of grace I received was from a childhood friend, the same friend who joined me in CA when I went to visit my other childhood friend with cancer. She *happened* to be in NYC this weekend...and we met, totally unplanned, a spontaneous spirit driven event...way too long a story to write here, but amazing. Amazing grace.

At any rate, she reminded me of a childhood saying that our teacher had often presented us with:

"A wise old owl sat in an oak; the more he heard, the less he spoke. The more he spoke, the less he heard. Why can't we be like this wise old bird."

May I be granted much wisdom in the days ahead.

If there is someone you need to let them know you love them, please go do it now. They are the last words I spoke with my dad.

Peace.