It's Those Eyes

Here's our Livy.  I haven't posted about her in awhile.  Laura took this pic on the fly.  Like a lot of great images, the ones you catch without thinking turn out to be the ones that reveal the most.

Michael commented, "Those are some deep eyes; old soul eyes."  I had been thinking the very same thing when he said it.  I sometimes think Livy is a very complex spirit and then there are other times when she is making Ava squee with delight or dancing around in her princess dress with her plastic shoes that I realize she's no different than any other three year old.  No different than any other Human Being.

I think all of us are more complex or more simple one minute to the next.  But one thing we remain always, is a unique thread of Spirit.

On a whim, Laura submitted this photo to a contest at an area children's boutique and Livy is one of the 12 children selected to be part of their upcoming catalog and advertising campaign.  They took part in a photo shoot at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.  It sounds like it was a very interesting adventure for Mom and Daughter.

I can't wait to see Livy in prime time.  But one thing I know....no matter how famous, or not, our Olivia is in her life she, just as Ava is also, a family star.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly  aka Great Aunt Holly

Silent Sermon Sunday

May the view of your world from your garden gate be as kind.

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly aka Rory's Mommer

Ava, My Ava

Well, this could be the tale of a prison break by the looks of all the sturdy bars, but honestly, what prisoner ever smiled at the warden with such love?  Nope.  Not a prison break.

That's just our Ava being another month more wonderful...another month of more gummy smiles.  And another month of reminding all of us who loved and adored Laura at that age how much genes will tell.

Because while she is truly her own unique Self, our Ava has given us the gift of bringing memories back to life as she looks so very much like her mother did at this age.

And, Littlest Girl, your Great Aunt Holly thanks you so very much for this gift!

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Is Great

Ghostly Visits

There are many issues to confirm that I'm growing older.  One came in the mail the other day.  Tucked inside with the renewal form for my driver's license was a very 'helpful' pamphlet entitled, "Tips for The Mature Driver."  Kill me now.

Another also replays many nights; I hate it.  This inability to collapse into sleep without tossing and turning.  The worst is-- I fall asleep very quickly only to have my eyes flap open like a window shade snaps up without warning.

Last night was one of those.  It seemed it would go peacefully, seemed being the operative world.  I ran through the Distance Reiki list of all those animals and Humans who have requested Reiki to assist with their needs.  It's how I start and end my days.  At night, doing this work makes me relax and drift off.  Morpheus is waiting with arms extended, but some nights he plays me false and just as I enter his embrace, he closes his arms and evaporates.  Men...

But last night, tossing in bed as I watched the clock creep to 2AM, it felt different and a bit unsettling,  because I was visited by another circumstance that proves I've been alive for awhile now.  Last night I was visited by a chorus of faces that I have loved and who have died.  Unbidden they came.  Some I had not actively thought of in a long time; others are those few who I never not think on.

At first, I found all of them gathered in my consciousness more than a bit disconcerting.  I fretted about why they were all there of a sudden.  Did it mean something?  Was there a purpose?  What are you trying to tell me?!

Not my Dad, nor my Aunt Kat, nor any of my immediate family were there.  Instead, these were all dear friends.  People who had played a pivotal role, either in terms of my growth as a Real Human Being, or had died at points in my life to help me understand what it means to suffer loss.  Died and helped me experience what it means to lose someone I cared about and what life feels like after.

I slowly began to relax, realizing that they simply wished to visit to confirm that death doesn't change the truth of things.  Connections are still there.  Attachment still remains.  I sent Reiki blessings to each of them and thanked them for coming.  I confirmed that they are always with me and what a joy it is to see them again. They returned the same sentiments.

And, with spiritual hugs completed, I fell asleep. 

This morning, I still ponder why I would have had a party with Ghosts from my past...no answers yet.  I wonder how the brain works that it would conjure them unbidden like that.  Can a brain actually do that?  Or, is it that love is bigger than our brains and it can manifest all on its own, in images that we can recognize and understand?  No answers for these questions...

But, in the light of day, I'm able to realize that it is a blessing to have been reminded of all those who I have lived long enough to have loved and lost.  I suppose along with confirmation that I am aging, I am also slowly becoming a Real Human Being.  There is always a silver lining.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Loves Them, Still

Silent Sermon Sunday

I'll Have Another

This is the horse who has, against the odds,

Won the Kentucky Derby, 

Took the Preakness,

And is now heading to The Belmont Stakes.

If he wins, he will be the first Triple Crown Winner

Since 1978.

He was purchased for a mere 35T,

Because most didn't see his qualities, he was completely over-looked.

But one man recognized them.
One person saw.

It only takes one person to recognize potential.

This week, may someone reconfirm your gifts and qualities

So that you can continue to run your race,

And show the world your outstanding abilities. 

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly aka She Who Recognizes Your Potential

Fiona & Argyle

Argyle has come home from the vet's office in fine shape after surgery.  Slow, a bit groggy and sore, but fine.  I've given him the love and quiet that I can.  Reiki has been flowing to him to help with the discomfort.  He's going to be fine.  I feel that neutering a pet dog is the best thing to do.  Research shows that from a health perspective it's absolutely the best thing.  And, from a personality point of view, it also helps.  After all, who needs a dog that feels, all the time, an itch it can't scratch?!  It has to have a negative effect!

Fiona checked him out closely when we brought him back home.  Inspection complete, she wagged her tail just the slightest bit to say, "Welcome home."  Rory seemed very concerned, in the morning, when we packed Argyle up solo.  It may have been that he knew he was going "riding in the truck," and he wasn't being invited to go along, but I sense it may have been more than that.  He definitely didn't like that we were taking the puppy away.  So, it seems that Argyle really and truly is one of the Frock Pack now.

The change happened in small increments.  Episode by episode.  In barely noticeable ways.  Every now and again, you'd see something to confirm that Rory & Fiona were beginning to accept the puppy, but then there were other moments when I was sure they were plotting his murder.

The thing I absolutely didn't predict was how Fiona would find her mothering nature thanks to Argyle.  Being 10 days older than Rory, she has always asserted her power over him; he has never argued her thinking and tolerates her bossy behavior.   She has always directed Rory, but never mothered him per se.  

I just didn't think she had it in her to be motherly.  I was wrong;  when it comes to this puppy, she has been very matronly in a stern and imperious way, for sure, but that's her nature as the Alpha.  But motherly, none the less.  She's actually been nicer to him than Rory has been, especially the first few weeks.  Rory was very snappy and rough with him.

When Argyle needs quiet time, or wants to know all is right with the world, you'll find him close to Fiona.  And, that's how I found him on the steps with her, patting her softly on the back.  People who do not live with animals, will tell you they have no deliberate thoughts or intentions as we understand Humans to have...

Those of us who live with animals understand what a load of crapola that thinking is...  I watched that puppy softly touch her on the back and stay that way for a few quiet moments before he put his head down and rested knowing she was close.

So I'm writing this one to acknowledge Fiona for being so uncharacteristically good to the puppy.  And, to say she surprised me in a good way by her ability to let another dimension of her true nature blossom.  It reminds me that the same is true for us when we rise to the occasion of sharing our virtues and growing parts that are resting dormant.

I have to go now and sit with my puppy patient who is still sore and wondering where parts of him have disappeared...Fiona is sitting next to him.  She's a good nurse.  I'm impressed.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Mommer

They Grow Up So Fast

Fiona, Rory & Argyle

My kids, like yours, grow up when you're not looking.  They simply refuse to stay babies or puppies.  And, neither did we.  Each inch they gain, gives us a chance, as mothers, as women, to reinvent ourselves.  Consider how to be in the best relationship with them.  Consider how to best mentor and guide.  Consider how much they teach us.  Consider how to best love them into their full potential.  Just as someone who loved us did for us.

This Mother's Day, I hope you feel honored for all you have invested of yourself.  For all you have done and do each day.  This Mother's Day, I hope you can feel the strength of being a part of the long line of those women, and in cases like mine, the men, who have dedicated part of their lives and hearts to see the blossoming of a young soul.

Smile and be glad; you so deserve it.  Happy Mother's Day.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Mommer

Water Babies

Maybe it's because I am a Cancer and water holds a very high attraction for me.  Perhaps it's because it's gray and rain is gently massaging the earth.  It could be that when I look at this, I become calm and quiet.  I thought it might do the same for you.

Maybe it's because I am a Reiki practitioner and know about the flow of energy.  It's about the power of touch and trust and the power of a calm and gently flowing voice while we experience something new.

Whatever the reason, I find this worth watching and wanted to share it with you.  Take a breath and let it flow like this tiny, tiny new life seems so capable of doing when in the hands of love.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Is A Reiki Master/Teacher