I often fall into the Hallmark Mother’s Day sentiments- brushing off inner wishes , being satisfied with a brief phone call from busy adult children. As a favour to a busy daughter I took a long traffic cluttered journey to spend a few sunny hours in a large urban city, watching a grandson’s soccer game, while Daughter and Son-in- law took off for a weekend break. A nice picnic , some Japanese gelato and back on the road, hours on the road home to my country home.
When I was a Mom of young children, I would have loved if my Mother gave me an hour break, but this never happened. I failed to nourish my inner world but was rather demanding of myself to stop being selfish. I ignored the inside tears and Mother’s Day each year serves to pick open this neglect.
So imagine, back home that evening I manage a sunset walk along my favourite riverside tree bath. I chance run into others but here before me is a neighbour friend who one shared a rare bald eagle sighting with me. Through her I met her capable contractor husband who renovated a run down cold space in my home. He and his wife had just had their one and only girl during CoVid. Although we promised to get together- years go by and I had not met their little girl. So here on this day, where my inner self was still stinging a little, is walking alongside her Mom, a 5 year old child. Her Mama points to me and says leaning over “ there is Daddy’s friend”. We look at each other and I greet her like a long lost friend… she runs down the dusky quiet road and greets me with a hug. Her Mom catches up and this little one is all chatty, and tells me “ My Birthday is Coming “. I smile, but Mama corrects her and says “no sweetie, you just had your birthday “. This little bundle of enthusiasm is dampened a little until I ask her “When is your birthday?”. She looks to Mom to remember the month and tells me then… “It’s Avril, Avril 23”. I stop speechless, but then close our short meeting with an invitation to come by the garden. Delighted to meet this little joyous girl. I walk on, looking at the sky reminding me of my favourite Cinderella story where her dress turns pink and blue. I can feel my own mother’s presence accompanying me, blessing me , asking forgiveness, she who transitioned beyond our 3D world many years ago. Her birthday was also April 23. Thank you Mom, I whisper, for everything.
Wow, Lys, what an amazing story. Thank you for sharing it. A story of your courage to change the mother role you learned, and forgiveness. And the little girl with the birthday, and your response, made me cry. Bless you, and wonderful.
what a beautiful story, thank you Lys, for sharing. It is a story filled with serendipity. And I am glad that I let our 5 year old also hug the people we meet and be chatty. You never know. I could see her just in the girl you described. May you have many more moments of unexpected joy as such.
I am touched by the sweet alternative perspective to my eager readiness to be done with the dank dark cold rainy days. Pausing now, I realize that I am simply missing my healing connection to the true and deep essence of God in me and others. How good it is to be taught to remember to be present to moments of loss; to trust what is secluded deep within, that is in all.
Oh, Amy I feel the same about the „ dank dark cold rainy days“ 😇. And yet, I am glad they also remind us of what is truly needed. Thank you for your sharing this great insight.
❤️❤️…thank you for the reminder life unfolds in its own timeline, much like our Garden and the Spring season. I was moved by the rain feels “as if the earth weeping and waking at once” and “washing the world into gray and green”. Quite paradoxical, much like life itself. Thank you, 🙏 Almut. Your writings evoke deep contemplative thoughts, and for that I am grateful!
Thank you dear weary pilgrim for this reminder, I’m weary today also and yet feel guilty for needing to tend my inner garden….i fall so easily into this trap…I haven’t a choice, I must tend myself to tend the world…GRACE leads me there….
Dear Cindy, you are the gardener of your soul, not only permitted but called to tend to your inner garden. Let’s remind each other of that sacred calling 🙏
I love your call to quietness, slowness, and stillness. I let "this needs to get done right now!" take charge too much. Thank you. My heart goes out to you in your memorials, too.
I often fall into the Hallmark Mother’s Day sentiments- brushing off inner wishes , being satisfied with a brief phone call from busy adult children. As a favour to a busy daughter I took a long traffic cluttered journey to spend a few sunny hours in a large urban city, watching a grandson’s soccer game, while Daughter and Son-in- law took off for a weekend break. A nice picnic , some Japanese gelato and back on the road, hours on the road home to my country home.
When I was a Mom of young children, I would have loved if my Mother gave me an hour break, but this never happened. I failed to nourish my inner world but was rather demanding of myself to stop being selfish. I ignored the inside tears and Mother’s Day each year serves to pick open this neglect.
So imagine, back home that evening I manage a sunset walk along my favourite riverside tree bath. I chance run into others but here before me is a neighbour friend who one shared a rare bald eagle sighting with me. Through her I met her capable contractor husband who renovated a run down cold space in my home. He and his wife had just had their one and only girl during CoVid. Although we promised to get together- years go by and I had not met their little girl. So here on this day, where my inner self was still stinging a little, is walking alongside her Mom, a 5 year old child. Her Mama points to me and says leaning over “ there is Daddy’s friend”. We look at each other and I greet her like a long lost friend… she runs down the dusky quiet road and greets me with a hug. Her Mom catches up and this little one is all chatty, and tells me “ My Birthday is Coming “. I smile, but Mama corrects her and says “no sweetie, you just had your birthday “. This little bundle of enthusiasm is dampened a little until I ask her “When is your birthday?”. She looks to Mom to remember the month and tells me then… “It’s Avril, Avril 23”. I stop speechless, but then close our short meeting with an invitation to come by the garden. Delighted to meet this little joyous girl. I walk on, looking at the sky reminding me of my favourite Cinderella story where her dress turns pink and blue. I can feel my own mother’s presence accompanying me, blessing me , asking forgiveness, she who transitioned beyond our 3D world many years ago. Her birthday was also April 23. Thank you Mom, I whisper, for everything.
Wow, Lys, what an amazing story. Thank you for sharing it. A story of your courage to change the mother role you learned, and forgiveness. And the little girl with the birthday, and your response, made me cry. Bless you, and wonderful.
what a beautiful story, thank you Lys, for sharing. It is a story filled with serendipity. And I am glad that I let our 5 year old also hug the people we meet and be chatty. You never know. I could see her just in the girl you described. May you have many more moments of unexpected joy as such.
Thank you Almut, for the inspiration and the place to share it. Blessings!
I am touched by the sweet alternative perspective to my eager readiness to be done with the dank dark cold rainy days. Pausing now, I realize that I am simply missing my healing connection to the true and deep essence of God in me and others. How good it is to be taught to remember to be present to moments of loss; to trust what is secluded deep within, that is in all.
Oh, Amy I feel the same about the „ dank dark cold rainy days“ 😇. And yet, I am glad they also remind us of what is truly needed. Thank you for your sharing this great insight.
❤️❤️…thank you for the reminder life unfolds in its own timeline, much like our Garden and the Spring season. I was moved by the rain feels “as if the earth weeping and waking at once” and “washing the world into gray and green”. Quite paradoxical, much like life itself. Thank you, 🙏 Almut. Your writings evoke deep contemplative thoughts, and for that I am grateful!
Thank you, Ce, for your kind words. I always need nature to remind me that life means to hold those paradoxes together :-)
❤️
Geht mir unter die Haut, Herzliche Grüße Bernd Herbek
Gets under my skin, Best regards Bernd Herbek
Gute Wünsche zurück!
Thank you dear weary pilgrim for this reminder, I’m weary today also and yet feel guilty for needing to tend my inner garden….i fall so easily into this trap…I haven’t a choice, I must tend myself to tend the world…GRACE leads me there….
Dear Cindy, you are the gardener of your soul, not only permitted but called to tend to your inner garden. Let’s remind each other of that sacred calling 🙏
Beautiful beautiful words Almut, thank you.
I love your call to quietness, slowness, and stillness. I let "this needs to get done right now!" take charge too much. Thank you. My heart goes out to you in your memorials, too.
Thank you Donna, I am glad to hear this. Greetings to your heart also.