full moon | Owls and Orchids

Posts Tagged ‘full moon’

Between Two Worlds

Posted in Identity, Love, Magic, Poetry, Things Metaphysical, Uncategorized, tagged #Between Two Worlds, #Portal Stones, #Scotland, full moon, Love, Magic, Poetry, Stone circle on March 16, 2014| 4 Comments »

image from http://www.flickr.com Steal Falls, Glen Nevis

~~~~~~~~

The water was icy on her skin

Her thin shoes soaked long ago

Still they trudged along

In single file snaking their way forward

Now climbing the side of the valley

Towards the Lairds keep

She longed to rest but kept going

The leader had been in a fury on seeing her

Brought forward by the men who found her

Hiding beside the stones atop the tor

~~~~~~~~~

She dared not tell them why or how she was there

How could she tell them the truth?

That she had walked through the portal stones

Upon the tor now far behind them

Traveling through time

In a way she did not understood

To meet her husband once again

To be with her lover for a while

~~~~~~~~~

A shudder rippled through her body

As she pondered her predicament

The moon was several days from full

The time when the change would occur

Yet its effects she could already sense

When for a while she could run safe and free

With her pack mate and lover

Days of blissful togetherness

Running these wild Scottish valleys

Drinking from the fresh streams

Waiting for the moon to turn

~~~~~~~~~~

When she would reclaim her female form

And her lover change to his own

Tall and proud with deep red hair

His Scottish brogue a music to her ears

She had but days to stay with him

Before she must go back to the tor

Back through the portal stones

To reclaim her life back there

~~~~~~~~~~

Waiting for the turning of the days

Til she could once more traverse the ways

And return to her lovers’ side once more

Wolf or human they belonged together

Her best days were always with him

Amongst the Scottish heather

But where was he?

Why wasn’t he here?

~~~~~~~~~~

She spied a furtive movement amongst the trees

The light was fading fast but her eyesight was keen

There he was keeping pace with her

Waiting for the shadows to fall

She knew that somehow, some way

He would find a way to break her free

And together they would roam

Back amongst their well-trodden ways.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

image from runningwolflog.blogspot.com –

~~~~~~~~~~~

Blessings, Susan ♥

Read Full Post »

Magical Standing Stones

Posted in Magic, Poetry, Spiritual, Uncategorized, tagged dreams, full moon, Love, Magic, magical spells, Megaliths, Spirituality, Standing stone, Stone circle, Stonehenge, Susan Jamieson on December 9, 2013| 5 Comments »

: image from lavandallegra.blogspot.com Magical Standing Stones

Scudding clouds

Threw shadows across the lane

She knew not what could be hidden there

But down this lane she must travel

To reach the standing stones

If all went to the plans they made

Then she would meet her love

Just as the moon reached mid-heaven

And they would be together thereafter

Hopefully she prayed

The moon would have cleared the scudding clouds

And the lane would not seem darkly threatening

And unpleasant to her fevered imaginings

It was so strange

She had walked this lane by day and night’

For many a long year

And never before had simple shadows

Cause such anxiety in her heart to wonder what was afoot

Tendrils of low-lying fog crept silently across the lane

They seemed to appear from the shadows themselves

Reaching towards the warmth of her flesh

Thicker grew the tendrils of mist

As she hurried towards the lane’s end

And breathing a heartfelt sigh

She emerged onto the open tor

Towards the standing stones she hurried

Her love to meet her there anon

Yet silence fell strangely around her

As she stood within the stone circle

The moon was yet to reach mid-heaven

As she wandered round the circle

And as she heard a noise before her

She took a step forward and the spell was cast,

As she passed through one of the portal stones

With no sound, no light, no movement

She vanished from earthly sight

Transported to who knows when

And for how long we cannot know

But as the last chime of midnight

Rang clearly from the village green

Her love appeared over the hilltop

To search for her, calling her name softly

Yet never did she appear

Though he came each night thereafter

And tales still speak of him long centuries later

Wandering around the stones

As he calls her name searching for her still.

: image from dearscotland.com Magical Standing Stones

May fortune smile upon your journeying.

Peace, Love and Joy. Susan x

Read Full Post »

Living for a moment

Posted in Creativity, Magic, Moon, Poetry, tagged acceptance, dreams, full moon, living for a moment, Living from the heart, Loneliness, Lover, sadness, Susan Jamieson, unrequited love on October 13, 2013| 7 Comments »

image from fabryking61.deviantart.com

Why did she look forlornly

Towards that distant house

Whose windows shone so cheerily

Festooned with coloured lights

Was she waiting for her lover

Had he promised her he would come

And meet her in the meadow

To run away as one

Alone she stood on the grassy knoll

Itself festooned with dew

Her dress of palest satin shone

In the light of the silvery moon

Adorned with shining pearls

It caught rainbows of glittering light

From the diamond caught net in her russet hair

The moon hung heavy in the darkened sky

It’s light filtered by trees all around

Through branch and leaf it fell

Softly finding its way

To form a halo upon the ground

Surrounding her without a sound

A sigh, soft as gossamer wings

Bitter as gall

Slipped through her bright red lips

As she turned to leave the meadow

Leaving her love behind

Her dark eyes awash with diamonds

Glistening teardrops yet to fall.

Read Full Post »

Short Circuit

Posted in Accidents, Blogging, Lyme Disease, Moon, Uncategorized, Writing, tagged Blogging, coping skills, frustration, full moon, Moon, Motivational, pain, patience, Photography, Spirituality on September 20, 2013| 4 Comments »

image from mondoexploito.com

I’ve been missing for a couple of days with the usual doctor to doctor trek, tests and more tests and waiting interminably for results. Ended up with the expected kinked neck and back plus a whopper of a migraine from the sun. Strange we had those hot days when I had to be trundling around in a car.

Well such is life at the moment. Despite having to squint out of one eye, the pain in the other was too much, and my internal organs were having the own mini revolution, I managed to prepare a couple of posts ahead of time to make up for my possible lack of impetus at the end of the day.

I thought it worked well until today when I felt less than chipper. In fact I felt flatter than a badly flipped pancake. I have dragged myself around wearing dark sunglasses, cracking my eyes open only enough to stop myself from walking into everything. In the beautiful darkness of out Harvest Moon I ventured out long enough to grab a few pictures and do a moon filled post, mainly because I love the colours of the moon here. Selfish I know.

So, back with the sunnies in my bedroom (the glare from the computer) and I had my blog done….. what happened next was tragic. Like most electrical equipment it had a sudden attack of the “let’s have some fun with her.” the screen blinked and I had an empty screen. No draft saved (odd) and nary a full stop in sight.

So you have my explanation for no real blog…. a poem I did a little while ago which suits my mood at present and I’m taking my eyeballs, which feel as though someone has pierced them with a flaming brand, to bed with a cold compress. The real blog will follow next week.

Have an amazing weekend…..I’m keeping my eyes closed unless the sun eclipses over me.

In the meantime, here is a photo from the last full moon…..

Beautiful, isn’t it?

Ciao, Susan x

Read Full Post »

Flights of Fantasy

Posted in Blessings, Blogging, Creativity, Dreams, Magic, Moon, Poetry, Spiritual, Uncategorized, Writing, tagged Dance, dreams, Fairies, full moon, Gratitude, happiness, Inner-peace, Living from the heart, Magic, Merlin, Mystery, Myth and Magic, Old England, Song, Spirituality, Whispers on September 15, 2013| 3 Comments »

Waking or sleeping

The tide ebbs and flows

image from http://www.pentagram.si

Under the light

Of the magical moon

Look closely

Under the roses

Small fragile creatures

Of mystical design

Creep slowly

Into the moonlight

Shall we join them

Or shall we leave

Would you dance

With us tonight

Under the brilliant light

Of the beautiful moon

Whispers in my ear

Songs unheard before

image from http://www.deviantart.com

image from chimeralinsight.com

Makes my heart beat madly

My soul sing wildly

This is what I’ve come for

To remember the days

When magic lived

And shall live once more

On the shores of Gaia

Take my hand

Lead me in the dance

Dance until the moon

Lies sleeping once more

Only to return

At the earliest we can

And join once more

In this merry dance.

Who can tell

What lies beyond

Our sight

For we have lost

That connection

Of old

When Merlin walked

And magic roamed

The highways and

Byways

Of England of Old.

May your days and nights be magical and mystical.

Blessings Susan x

Other offerings you may like.

Merlin,

Dragons

Read Full Post »

Come Breathe the Air

Posted in Blogging, Gratitude, Life, Love, Magic, Photography, Uncategorized, Writing, tagged around the garden, birdlife, flowers in bloom, fresh sea air, full moon, Nerang Queensland, ocean views, sunrise, surf's up, walking meditation on July 31, 2013| 5 Comments »

Let’s start our gentle walk with a quick reminder of how beautiful the sky looks after a shower. The gorgeous rainbow highlights how clean and fresh the air is, washed away of all those negative ions that give me headache. (Well that and the awful meds I’m taking, all for a good cause).

On this day we saw both the right and left of the rainbow but missed the complete effect, perhaps next time.

Then we have the majestic rolling of the waves as they rush towards the shore.

I’m sure the surfers would have loved to catch some of the beauties we saw.

The cheeky Eastern Rosella eating all the pollen off every honey producing plant in the garden. Here we have one on the New Zealand Bottlebrush, just checking to see if he’s being watched.

It’s hard to go past such a beautifully intimate picture of mother feeding her baby in the Sandra Gordon Grevillea.

From ducks eating the lawn daily to cockatoos invading the area, there is always the songs of the birds around us.

Mother Magpie and baby checking us to see if it’s safe. “My what beady eyes you have”. They don’t miss anything. Next we have my mystery bird. I first saw him ay our place in Nerang and was unsure what he was, Since then we have identified him as a Black Headed Peasant Coucal. This is the male. He puffs out his chest and the feathers at his nae and emits a loud “Coo, Coo, Coo,” to attract a mate. He has the most beautiful long tail shown here.

His tail is easily as long as his body if not longer and spreads out in a beautiful fan as he flies. Then it was time for a little grooming. He loved the vantage from the Sandra Gordon Grevillea but didn’t win any friends with the local Rosellas or Indian Mynahs who tried to loudly persuade him to leave. He took it all in his perch and stayed until ready to leave.

Rolling waves and delicate flowers on the Spathiphyllum or Peace Lily.

Yes I am real, in the sunshine getting the fresh air and sea breeze. My beautiful camellia is still flowering.

New Zealand Christmas bush before the parrots have attacked it. Beautiful flowering wattle.

These have always been called Autumn Crocus and on the right the flowers of the Desert Rose.

I can’t end my walk through the garden without reminding myself of the beautiful and magical sunrise.

Which means a moment to reflect on the day’s end with the mysterious and magical view of the pink moon.

This wouldn’t be complete without my blogs namesake emblem – the orchid, in full flower today. Isn’t it beautiful?

And to round things off, the rest of my blog namesake, the beautiful and mysterious Powerful Owl. Whats not to love?

There is beauty all around us if we take a moment to see. It’s peace and tranquility can lift you fro the depths of despair. The final words in my soliloquy go to George Gordon Byron.

“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more”
― George Gordon Byron

Know that you are loved deeply and well.

Ciao

Susan x

Inspiration from my back deck. (owlsandorchids.com)

Read Full Post »

No End in Sight

Posted in Blogging, Challenges, Life, Lyme Disease, Uncategorized, Writing, tagged computr problems, computrs, full moon, health, health challenges, Lyme disease on June 24, 2013| 1 Comment »

image from apreelskyblue.wordpress.com

“But – but the greatest way to witness is by walking that straight and narrow and also realizing that you’re going to mess up. That’s what grace is for. We’re going to fall, but we’ve got to get back up. And you’ve got to improve. And that’s what I’m all about.”
Tim Tebow

I had planned on a beautiful array of photos taken on Sunday night, the night of the full moon, as the basis for a short blog. I have been, and still am, having a slight hiccough thanks to some new meds for the Lyme disease I’m fighting. Nothing I won’t overcome, eventually. (It’s kill or cure and I am most definitely not in the mood for it being the winner. Oh no, I have far too much to live for yet.

However, as the fates would have it, the problems I have been enduring with my old laptop have finally taken their toll. It has had a semi fatal seizure and will play with me no more! It is now with the laptop doctor having a good colonic and inner repair work performed. I hope it feels as good as I did after mine. (I did not, I felt thoroughly used and abused!)

So, you have a beautiful picture I have been saving for some time – it appears frequently because I feel it really sums up the light and dark which can shine from all of us at the right time. There is also a beauty and allure in the dark which is not readily apparent in the light. Though I am now waxing lyrical which is probably the meds kicking in before they turn nasty again. Such is life in all its gory and glory.

I have purloined this computer for a few minutes, before the anticipated brain fugue and pain recommence, to apologise for not blogging again, but will be back, and with some photos I’m delighted with, even if they are late. They will serve as a wonderful reminder of the show we saw a few nights earlier.

Hopefully, by then. the laptop will behave and my tangles will be untingled as my fingers will be unfumbled.

image from larvalsubjects.wordpress.com

“Life isn’t like a book. Life isn’t logical or sensible or orderly. Life is a mess most of the time. And theology must be lived in the midst of that mess.”
Charles Caleb Colton

Susan x

Read Full Post »

A Memorable Year in Photos

Posted in Christmas, Creativity, Family, Love, Photography, Reading, Writing, tagged acceptance, Barn Owl, BEing present, Bird Watching, bird watching, Blogging, Camera, Ceremonies, Christmas, Coping Skills, Family, Friendship, friendship, full moon, Gratitude, gratitude, happiness, holidays, inner peace, Life, life, Living from the heart, Local wildlife, Love, Marriage, memories, Mindfulness, Motivational, nature, New Beginnings, new beginnings, New Year, New Year's Eve, outdoors, Photography, Soul Growth, soul growth, soul mates, special occasion, Tawny Frogmouth, unconditional love on December 30, 2012| 1 Comment »

They “year” began with New Years Eve at Ray’s parents in Moruya. A beautiful day and night set the tone for the year to come. It was a wonderful few days, seeing the sights – a finding a great little crystal shop. Needless to say I came home with bags of crystals. (We drove or it wouldn’t have been possible).

A Tawny Frogmouth let himself be known early on and has been a visitor ever since. We have at least four different owls living in the area, from a Powerful Owl, the Frogmouth and what looks like a Barn Owl, plus a very reclusive one we hear often but haven’t managed to get a good photo of yet.

Owls being my favourite birds, it was a real blessing seeing one so soon after we moved into our new home.

Presented to the guests, husband and wife

May was a brilliant month, and after months of preparation our wedding went off superbly. Here we are presented for the first time as Mr and Mrs Jamieson, can you tell how happy we were – and are. I’ve restrained myself to one photo, it’s hard to know which ones to use and there are so many!

Couldn’t pass the day up without showing off how fabulous my son and daughter looked on the day either.

One of my favourite gifts came from my husband shortly before we were to go away, a Nikon 150 camera. It is fantastic and even an amateur like me can get some marvellous shots. Most of all it made it super easy to have something to remember all the marvellous things which happened throughout the year. A few lessons and I might make a reasonable photographer!

The Little Blowhole at Kiama, dodging salt spray to get a good picture.

We had been so busy during the year that we hadn’t had a break – even after the wedding, so we spent a glorious week at Kiama, exploring the area and having a well-earned rest. The Blowholes were in fine form and we saw lots of whales passing by. Here’s the best picture we managed to get of the whales passing.

Occasionally I wished for a super zoom on my camera so I could get more photos – they really are beautiful creatures.

Humpback passing Kiama whilst we were there.

I found Nicole’s blog and became motivated to get back on track with my spiritual growth. It has been a wonderful year of rediscovery and discovery of new exciting things.

Thanks to Nicole we had a fantastic ceremony provided for the Blue Moon in August. This was taken just after the “Releasing Ceremony” and the crystals were in the bowls of water. The next night we had a “Becoming Ceremony” which finalised the entire ritual. It was an awesome feeling and really made us feel great. My blogging journey began shortly after this. Reading and writing have always been passions, now they are intertwined beautifully.

With lots of work in between we went back to Moruya to celebrate my father in law’s 80th birthday bash in October. It was a beautiful day and night – in fact they outdid the younger guests. It seems stamina comes with age! The cake was superb, it was only spoiled by the fact we couldn’t bring any home with us!

On the way home we stopped at Coffs Harbour for the night and the next day were greeted by this beautiful water dragon on the decking near the water feature. He was so tame he let us get really close. Obviously very used to all the visitors, he’s probably quite the model by now! See he even gave us a good pose for the camera.

Back home we were back hard at work but love to take a walk around the garden at the end of the day. Here the neighbours horse came over to say hello and was really friendly. My first ‘kiss’ from a horse – strangely enough it was a special moment for me and I’m blessed Ray got the photo and so filled with gratitude that the horse was so friendly.

I’d love to know the identity of this little fellow but just love his colouring.

We have lots of honey eaters visiting with the flowering trees. Some like this fellow seem totally oblivious to our presence and let us snap away merrily as he feeds. His colouring is ‘electric’!

We were graced by a family of kookaburra who came down several times a day to take a dip in our pool as the weather became hotter. They made lots of noise but it was worth it. Occasionally there would be a line up of all the different birds waiting to take a dip. It was really funny watching them take off one by one and then ruffling their feathers out as they waited their next turn.

We were surprised and pleased to find another water dragon sunning himself at home. When he was in the pool area I “chased” him around the pool – from the upstairs balcony, to get some photos of him. It was so funny seeing me trying to run around to capture a good shot. As soon as I had him in focus he would take off again after some other tidbit he’d spied.

Christmas seemed to arrive so quickly. It was a special time for us – the first one as a married couple (old-fashioned isn’t it?) and getting the decorating done together with the family coming down to celebrate Christmas Day together. We were grateful we could all be together and Ray and I felt blessed that our family could get together when so many couldn’t.

The last full moon of the year, December 2012. Even with the inclement weather we were able to get some beautiful photos of the moon through the trees and the weather remained fine for our ceremony. The meditation from Nicole was a beautiful way to complete a wonderful year.

As always we are mindful that not everyone has been as fortunate as ourselves. Like most people we have had our ups and downs. At times it felt as though the downs were holding mired in one place for far too long, but 2013 will be a wonderful year – for everyone. Throughout 2012 we have tried to remain mindful of what has been happening for us, being present at the important events was easy, how could we not. Being present when things were tough was harder, but we managed and it felt very heart centered in being able to do that. Ill health has been a drag but I’m hoping that with a new move, hopefully to a place with some space around it will give me the right atmosphere to get on top of things. Country life seems to beckon.

For myself, the unconditional love I have been so grateful to find with Ray has made this a wonderful, love filled year. Heart centered and soul centered, we have felt the growing and stretching of our soul growth throughout the good times and the hard times. We have also felt, and been awed by the presence of spirit, our loved ones who are no longer with us – in the flesh at least. It has made each special occasion that little bit more extraordinary and that is something I am incredibly grateful for.

The records for 2013 are now about to begin!

” Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. “ Ralph Waldo Emerson

HAPPY 2013 EVERYONE. Blessings and stay safe.

Read Full Post »

Owls – a message?

Posted in Accidents, Cameras, Ghosts and Spirits, Life lessons, Travel, tagged acceptance, BEing present, cars, Friendship, friendship, full moon, gratitude, happiness, life, Living from the heart, Local birdlife, Mindfulness, New Beginnings, new beginnings, Owl, Photography, Powerful Boobook, powerful owl, special occasion on December 28, 2012| 2 Comments »

A Powerful Owl sitting on a tree branch

“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson quote

It is recognised that when something happens in threes it is a sign, or an indication that we need to pay attention to what is happening – there is a message there for us, if we can but read or hear it.

Traveling home from visiting friends tonight I was surprised and pleased to see a beautiful Powerful Owl sitting in the fork of a tree, calmly watching what we were doing. I think we were rather too large for a meal, but the careful and considered look he gave me was enough to make me stop and wonder – was he trying to simply be noticed or was he trying to tell me something? Perhaps it was as simple as his next meal, which was hiding nearby as he was waiting for us to leave, but I had a feeling there was more to his impressive gaze than that. The question was – what?

image from mtnmatthews.blogspot.com

Driving along the country roads I was keeping an eye out for the “Kangawallafoxes” as my husband calls them. In other words the kangaroos, wallabies or foxes which are known to suddenly hop pr run out of the scrub along the side of the road. It can be a nasty surprise and make your journey come to a crashing halt!

However, it was not one of the usual creatures which caused the sudden startled intake of breath this night, it was the sudden and of course silent swoop of an owl across the road directly in front of us. He was beautiful and it would have been a glorious picture, but since I wasn’t thinking about taking a photo, I didn’t have the camera ready. It looked very similar to the photo I found, but it hardly captures the surprise I felt at seeing him. So that was number two for the evening, and a very impressive reminder that something must be afoot. What was I supposed to be aware of and what was I missing?

We have quite a few owls around our place and I love hearing them call at different times, and I have been lucky enough to see them, although usually without a camera. We were almost home when a huge owl suddenly seemed to swoop up towards the car, hitting the windscreen cleanly in the middle. He slid off the side and we pulled frantically off to the other side of the road so we wouldn’t hit him by accident.

He lay there on the road and I was amazed at how large he looked close up. It was another Powerful Owl. I felt awful at hitting him, even though we hadn’t actually driven into him, more he flew into us – but then the effect was the same. Being extra careful of those deadly talons and beak we wrapped him in a thick blanket from the car and carried him to the grass at the side if the road where we could see him in the headlights. After carefully unwrapping him it was difficult to see if he was injured at all. There was definitely no blood, the blanket ( a pale one) was clean and there didn’t appear to be any blood on his feathers. At least there was no glistening tell-tale marks on his feather which we could see.

Powerful Owl takes off as though nothing has happened.

He suddenly seemed to give himself a shake and was on his feet in a flash. He looked around at us, measuring us up for a meal I wondered? Then after what seemed an age but was probably barely minutes, he fluffed his feathers and took off into the night, apparently none the worse for his crash landing with our car.

Not so our windscreen which had a crack completely down the middle! So, three visits in one evening. Far too much for sheer coincidence, but I have yet to work out what their message is. As for an exciting end to the evening, it most definitely was.

Our usual view of the Powerful Owl at home. Beautiful isn’t he?

For me this was a special occasion, one to be mindful of as I sit under a full moon, pondering what new beginnings this portent means. I am being present with the spirits who are sending me this messenger, so full of love that this has happened. I am indeed grateful that life is so full of wonderful and unexpected surprises. I am truly blessed tonight.

“There is a wisdom of the head, and a wisdom of the heart.”

Charles Dickens quotes

Here’s hoping you are as lucky as I and I can work out what my owl visitors are telling me. Happy Full Moon people.

Read Full Post »

Does Time Heal all Wounds?

Posted in England, Family, tagged acceptance, BEing present, Family, Friendship, friendship, friendships, full moon, Gratitude, gratitude, grief, life, Living from the heart, Mindfulness on October 25, 2012| 2 Comments »

“It has been said, ‘time heals all wounds.’ I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.”
― Rose Kennedy

angry and alone

image courtesy of diabroticd.wordpress.com

There are times when, for no apparent reason, we feel depressed and alone. Grief wells up and carries us away for a time. Then there are the times when we know why we feel as though our insides have been ripped apart. There are also times when the knowledge of why isn’t enough to pull you through the barrier to the next level and we can begin to move forward again.

As this full moon draws closer it seems it has been a time of reflection on those we have lost and the memories they evoke. At times they can be bittersweet memories and as I type this I’m listening to the mournful call of my Mopoke owl. Normally I’m thrilled to hear him and on one level I still am. Yet I cannot help but associate that sound with the mournful calls I heard on the long nights I used to babysit in England when the wind blew and whistled around the house causing chills to run up and down my spine. There were plenty of owls calling throughout the nights there on the edge of the Yorkshire moors.

yorkdhire dales
image courtesy of lovetoescape.com

.
It’s a strange feeling since most of my memories of the moors are the idyllic days spent in the heather, listening to the birdsong, my dog by my side, watching cotton puff clouds lazily float across the sky. We would picnic under the blue sky and visit Haworth Manor, home of the Bronte’s. Perhaps they are so closely linked to my family it’s the reason I’m thinking about them so much now.

north yorkshire moors heather

image courtesy of north-york-moors.co.uk

.
So for the past week I’ve been remembering all those I’ve loved and lost, here and back in “the old country” and remembering the times we spent together walking the sheep trails through the heather. As the weather warms up so quickly I’m reminded of the fresh breezes on the moors and how we could walk for miles without turning into a puddle of perspiration.

My grandparents were all left behind in England. My parents I lost here, my mother only a short time ago. They try to say “time heals all wounds” but I think it’s more we become better at handling the painful memories of loss. When those losses coincide with Christmas – well, it’s as though a knife is jabbed into an open wound and it’s as raw and fresh as the day it happened.

So, this full moon I’m releasing the hurts of lost loved ones. I will endeavor to pull memories of happier times from the memory vault and try not to let the sadness of not sharing a special day with them make me feel too sad, at least for my children’s sake. I will share stories of the madcap things we all did together – in the heather and around the Christmas tree, and of course in the snow!

sorrowful lady
image courtesy of gsp-shadow.blogspot.com

Yes, the memories are bittersweet, especially at this time, but there are many more happy memories and those are the ones I’ll share. The sadness I’ll carry for a while longer, although I have a shoulder to lean on now. In time everything changes, yet everything stays the same.

hope

image courtesy of lilliesloves.wordpress.com

.
“Sometimes, however much you plan, however many precautions you take, something happens, and in a minute the world is changed. After that, you’re the person on the other side of that minute.”
― Frederick Weisel, Teller