Silent Sermon Sunday

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly

Silent Sermon Sunday

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Great Aunt Holly

Silent Sermon Sunday

Silent Sermon Sunday

This week,

May you know that

Each new day holds

potential.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Hopes

Silent Sermon Sunday

This year, may you discover deep in your Spirit,
the courage of the Magi
And follow your star.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Seeks

The Many Faces of Love

This is the chair in my office.  As I sit here typing to you, it's directly behind me.  That's Argyle laying there taking a snooze.  I generally never know if he's there because he's very quiet and sneaks in to rest.  He's allowed in the chair, so it's not as if he's trying to pull one over on me, he's just very quiet in the house.  The only time he's acting The Wild Highlander is when he's outside being part of the Midnight Bark or returning salvos of information down the long country road to tell the farm dogs what's going on up here on his end of the road.

I notice as time goes on, he's been with us two years now, he's very often here in the office with me.  It makes me happy.  And, it makes me feel safe.  But, today as I sit here listening to Christmas songs, it occurred to me that it also makes me feel loved.

Now, you need to know something about terriers: they are not, let me repeat, are NOT lap dogs.  They aren't necessarily all that cuddly.  If you want a dog who needs, wants, demands to be with you all the time, you'd best consider a Pom or a Poodle, or any number of breeds, just not a terrier.

It's not that they aren't social or pack animals because terriers certainly are, it's just that they're not needy that way.  Let me see if I can tell you how it goes with them:  A terrier goes about its day and every once in awhile they realize they should check to see where you are and if you are where they left you.  Once they determine that all is the way they want it, they go about their business and allow you to do the same.

This part of the terrier personality is one of the reasons I've always been drawn to them.  But, I will admit, there are times when I wish that I had a snugly, lovey dog who just wants to curl up with me all the time.  Times like now, when Christmas is here, and sentimentality takes on a life of its own and can swamp me with emotions.  Just having a wee soul that thought of me as the center of its universe and that could take the place of those I wish I was with for the holidays but will only be with in spirit.

A dog to curl up on me when I'm sitting exhausted from all the doing that the holidays brings on the ribbons and bows trailing through our lives.  A quiet presence that makes me relax as we sit together and just rest. 

But, alas, I have terriers.  And, it's just not their way.

So, when I turn around and see Argyle, it occurs to me, that I feel loved when I spy him there.  Even though he's doing his thing, he's doing it in the same room.  And, it reminds me that he likes resting with me someplace close by.  He's deliberate in his choice of where to be...  he loves me in his way on his terms.

And, that's what I wanted to say today.  Love, comes in many different aspects and is presented to us in ways some subtle and some overt.  But, love, like most profound emotions generally doesn't shout; instead it slips in and fills us up.  Like Argyle quietly slipping up into the chair to rest as I work.

This holiday season, I hope you have the gift of awareness to discern and accept the aspects of love that are in your life, especially if you are struggling with feeling loved or are missing special folk.  I hope you can let go of the ideas you have about what love is and is not, and instead, open your hands and hearts to the love that is there, all around, subtle, quiet, waiting.  Love that is yours as a gift from The Creator who sends out the very best for all us, especially at this holy and profoundly moving time of the year.

Thank you, Argyle, for reminding me of the many faces and facets of  love.  We brought you home, two years ago for Christmas.  You continue to be a wonderful gift who makes me smile.  I love you, too. Yes, I understand you're trying to rest here.  I'll be quiet now.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Argyle's Mommer

Silent Sermon Sunday

May your Sabbath and week ahead be peaceful.

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly aka Fiona's Mum

Silent Sermon Sunday

Dundyvan church, Scotland

Spend time in the sacred space where

the God of Man

and

the God of Nature

Meet.

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly

photo by Mark Leslie   

Silent Sermon Sunday

Budding Hosta by Holly


May the light of the Lord shine from your eyes,
Like a candle in a window,
Welcoming the weary traveler.
~ An Irish Blessing

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly

Image from my garden

Silent Sermon Sunday

Eastend House, Scotland

When, through the power of your prayers,

 a way 'in' presents itself to you,

Summon your courage and walk through.

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly

Image courtesy of  Abandoned Scotland,

 http://www.abandonedscotland.com

Silent Sermon Sunday

...when you are expansive,

no matter what the weather,

you are in an open, windy field

with friends.

~  Rumi

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly aka She Who Is Praying for all in Hurricane Sandy's path

Image from my deck 2011

Silent Sermon Sunday

May your week to come feel like

the supportive embrace

of a loving mother.

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly
My image dedicated to Miss Robyn of Apple Tree & Avalon fame!

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

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

Same Face, Different Perspective

One of the things that cousin Val and I came across in this summer's cleaning out of my aunt Kat's apartment, were photos that she treasured and kept. This one of her parents, must have been a favorite because it was sandwiched under the glass of her dresser. A place that she was sure to see every day when she stopped to grab an under garment or dab some perfume behind her ears.

I was unfamiliar with this one. I don't know where it was taken, or what was the occasion. It must have been a special one, for Nanny is wearing her jewelry. I've seen other photos of Nanny, The World's Meanest Woman with her husband of fifty-plus years, but this one is new to me. And, I don't know if it's because it is now mine through the poignant process of losing my last aunt, or that I'm simply older now, but for whatever reason this photo has become quickly special.

I've shared bits and pieces of my life with Nanny and Grandpop in stories like Going Downtown and In English Please, but when I look at this photo, I know there are tons more stories that I have locked inside that I hope bubble up to the surface.

As an adult child when I look at this photo, I realize that as much as I might know about these two mainstays of my childhood, there's so much I don't know about them. Will never know about them.

I remember my Grandfather as pleasant, dapper, laughing and smiling easily, flirting with the ladies, welcoming to the patrons who came to our restaurant, who spoke English with his quaint broken accent. He hugged frequently and patted your back. I don't ever recall him in 'casual' clothes, he always wore a button down shirt and suit pants. He very often wore a carnation in his lapel when working the dinner service at The Town House. He liked his Old Grand Dad and water each night before dinner. He hated rigatoni, calling them "blankets," whenever Nanny made them for dinner. And, the picture confirms my memories of him.

What I find to be the most interesting, however, is the genuine smile on my Grandmother's face. That's not something I remember about her. I recall occasional smiles...occasional bouts of laughter when she was speaking with someone in the family about some experience or memory.

But mostly I remember her as quiet, stern, opinionated, cutting, organized, capable, determined, reserved around anyone not part of the family, cool. And, in a word- mean. I also remember her being an excellent cook, home maker, captain of the restaurant kitchen, the woman who kept us warm, clean, fed.

Her English, as I remember it, was not so smooth as Pop's. Her dialect came through much stronger. She had hair that was quite long and worn in a controlled bun at the back of her head, under a fine hair net that often had tiny beads of various colors throughout. Her hair was silver in the front and sides, but very dark at the crown and back of her head. An odd juxtaposition, just as many parts of her were juxtaposed.

When I look at this picture, I can see she is wearing the gold bracelet that she left to me. I wore it every day until the finish wore in places and the hinging mechanism broke beyond repair. I loved that bracelet, and now realize, that what I really loved is that she left it to me. It's long since gone...but my memories of Nanny are still very much here.

When I look at this picture, I see a smile that she obviously possessed but hid. It's almost startling to me. Where did she keep it? Why didn't she bring it out more? Did she use it only on certain people and in certain situations? And, if so, why don't I remember it as clearly as I can remember the color of her hair and that she used Pond's Cold Cream every night before bed?

It's not as though she saved them all for Pop. He used to aggravate her most days. She was constantly telling him what and when to do things. Just as she did all of us. They could be very sparky with each other. Mostly, Pop ignored things and just quietly went about his day. But, there were times when the Albaneze was quite voluble at 201 W. 27th Street.

When I see this picture, now as an adult, I see a woman who seems to know joy. Knows how to smile. Knows how to be in relationship with another Human Being. And, I'll always wonder why she didn't or couldn't share that with me. Or why that is not my recollection of her. Did she love me? Absolutely...in her way. Of this I have no doubt. I just don't have the sweet memories of her like so many do of their Grandmothers.

And, I suppose that while I will always call her, Nanny The World's Meanest Woman, what this picture gives me is a new perspective of a familiar face and forces me to consider that most of us, no matter how well someone thinks they may know us, are so much more and complex. And often require us to open our minds and hearts to consider them further.

When I look at this picture, I am compelled to say, "Hello Nanny, it's so good to meet you."

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Louisa Dituri's Grand Daughter

Silent Sermon Sunday

Blessings on you wee Ava, you are a miracle.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Great Aunt Holly

Silent Sermon Sunday

"Rest; be still, I am with you, and you are never alone."

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly
Photo of Rory in our Garden taken by My Lion

Bird Brain

So, just a day or so ago, I was going on about seeing a robin for the first time this year, and hoping it would be a sign of things to come.

This is what my world looks like this morning.

Moral of the story? They don't say, "Bird brain," without good cause. Then again, a bird is about as correct about predicting the weather as a weather person on the evening news. Except the bird is cheaper. Which, if I am going to get wrong information, I'd prefer to pay as little as possible...

I think I'm going to follow this lion's example, and just go back to sleep. Wake me when spring is here.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Ever Hopeful

Just In Case....

My feeling is that someone, or many of you, could use one of these today. If, I'm right, please know I'll do it in person for you if I'm within arm's reach. And, for those of you who may not be that close...

...in my mind I can so clearly see us arms around each other. Hope you can feel it, too.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Loves To Give Hugs

Sometimes An Image...

...for reasons you can't explain in words, simply captivates your attention, perhaps your heart.

Maybe it's the quality of the light, or the contrast in shadows. Most certainly it's generally the subject matter. But, that's not always a given as I've been attracted to some images where I didn't like the subject...

The image may not be taken by someone with mad skills in photography. Composition may be woefully off. Clarity may not be its best, even. Still, you love it.

So, I can't really explain to you the whys...

I can only tell you, that this picture I took on Thanksgiving Day, is my new favorite.


And, although I know there will be thousands of more new favorites to come based on this subject matter of Olivia...I think this one will always make my eyes go soft, and my breathing slow, and my emotions run to gentle things.

I hope just such an image comes to your eyes today.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Great Aunt Holly