A Rainy Day in Paradise

Someone once said that when it rains God is crying. Perhaps that explains why graveside services I've conducted in the rain seem to be all the more emotional. There's a letting go taking place. When people are upset and they finally let go of their tears they can be described as opening up to the flood.... of emotions.

I remember when we were here last, the death of a prominent citizen was in the news. He and his family, wife and 3 boys, were driving a mountain road and he was killed by a rock slide. The community filled a large stadium to gather together in their mourning. Often when a young person dies the family grieves the life they didn't get to live. I see this differently.

I think that death is really like birth to the soul who is released from his earthly shell. Just imagine being a light being, expansive and able to travel anywhere and then being born into a heavy earthly body. That must feel constrictive especially considering you can't talk and walk for the first few years of life. Death then is a release of energy back into the Universe... a sense of freedom... a birth into the eternal world.

Pic..Here is Rich playing a game on our game day last week. The games were a lot of fun and especially so when you don't take them too seriously. That's a good thought for our life as well. Don't take it too seriously, it's such a short ride.

"Chicken of the Trees"

In some South American countries they serve chicken of the trees. Another name for that "chicken" is Iguana. I am thinking of Iguanas because everyday in Mexico we saw numerous Iguanas everywhere we went in our resort. We saw large ones, little ones, dark ones and lighter skinned ones. They are amazingly tame and not aggressive.

At first when I would come across one on my path I would jump and yell.. Iguana! By the third day it's like, "oh look another Iguana." They are herbivores eating plants and leaves and in one article I read they have a "third eye" on their head. Now that's interesting.. we humans do too.

So I'm thinking that the things that scare us at first are only about the fear in our own mind. Because I rarely see large lizards they appear frightening at first. But as I got to watch them, take pictures of them, witness their behaviour I saw there was nothing to fear as long as I had a healthy respect for them.

Our third eye helps us to see from a spiritual point of view. Some fears are healthy, they protect us. Most fears are of our own making and upon a closer look we see there is nothing to fear at all.

Pic... Iguana

In The World of Texting Have We Lost the Art of Talking?

I've just spent 7 days with a wonderful mix of older and younger people. What I observed was that the young people (in their 20's and 30's) don't know how to engage in social conversation. This became particularly evident when my brother commented, "Not one person has asked me what I do."

We shared our common experience of asking others about themselves and their life and finding the conversation would end there. They either aren't curious about us or they just aren't used to face to face conversations. That feels sad to me because we miss out on enriching conversations when we don't engage with each other. For instance they would have learned my brother is an award winning leather worker. He was commissioned to go to the Arctic to teach some of his skills to local artisans, to enrich their skills. He has two stores and a studio in the Ottawa area. When the late actor and comedian, John Candy, was shopping in Ottawa and saw Michael's work he called Michael and ordered a custom piece.

Everyone has a story inside of them. But we have to be curious to discover it. Texting,emailing and online chatting seem to be robbing our young people of face to face skills. At least that's how I see it, in my humble opinion. This isn't sour grapes... I just feel a sense of sadness as I have a desire to really connect with people.

P.S.. Thursday May 10th, the wedding day, was also Mother's Day in Mexico. When I came out of my room that morning, the maid ran over and embraced me and warmly said, "Happy Mother's Day!" (only it was in Spanish). I think I connected with her at a deeper level in that hug than I did with some of the people in our group all week.

Pic.. our pretty room.....on the bed is a towel person. I watched the maid that day make it with much care.

Oh Boy!

We're going to the chapel and we're gonna get married. I'm not sure which girl group sang this song but I woke up with it in my mind. I texted it to Jenn and commented that this is from my era.

The long awaited day has arrived and we begin leg one of our adventure. Bob likes to break up our trip into "legs". Throughout the trip I hear... well now we're in leg #2... and so on. 

I'm not sure whether I will blog each day, we'll see how that goes. Hold us all in prayer as we journey on our adventure and witness our daughter become a married woman. Life is grand. What is grand about your life right now?

Pic....How can it be? She's all grown up and getting married!

Here Kitty Kitty

In Naples there is a store, Wind in The Willows, that has beautiful clothing and nic nacks. They also have two kitties that attract customers. You see, they are shaved like lions. They sleep in the windows or around the store and even I, when I am there, want to go in and see the kitties.

We've been getting our very furry cats shaved for a few years. They seem fine with it and so yesterday when I took in Angel and Hannah I took a picture of the Naples kitties. It's neat when they've been shaved because there is less fur flying around. I think they must love it too because they have less fur to clean. So I took a picture of Hannah for you to see.

Our 4T prosperity class at Unity has been working on releasing and letting go what they don't need. It isn't easy to drop bad habits or negative thoughts but when you do you feel lighter and happier. You may even start to look different. People might look at you differently because you don't seem the same. This is all good. Making changes helps us move forward in our spiritual journey.

Pics... Willows kitty and Hannah kitty... to realize your dreams you often have to make changes..are you willing to do what you need to do?

Zoom Zoom

I heard him say, "to drive in a car is to view the scene all around you, but ride on a Harley and you are a part of the scene."  When Chuck said those words we were speeding along the road on our way to Port Bruce on his motorcycle... no correct that... his Harley Davidson. His emphatic correction told me there is a difference.

I had long wanted a ride on his Harley and yesterday was the day. I was a bit on edge but wanted to push through any fear and do it anyway. It was a surprise to me I didn't have much to hold on to. There are two small bars on either side of the back seat and then there's the driver.... but I wanted to know where my seatbelt was. I think it was gravity that held me in place (and a strong hold on Chuck).

It was exhilarating and scary. I felt my body tighten and then I'd relax only to find it tighten up again shortly afterwards. We were able to talk to each other and I could hear the radio too. To get a rest from the wind I would try to put my head right behind his but most of the time I looked to the left and right. I was very aware that we were a part of the scenery. Thanks Chuck, it was a blast!

Memory Lane

Last night I was looking through all of our photo albums. Going down memory lane is bitter sweet because I realized how quickly time has gone by. I also saw that we took more pictures of Jenn when she was young and fewer as she aged. Many of the pictures weren't dated. I wish now I had taken the time to do that then.

I've really changed over the years! How is that possible? Bob and I look so young in many of the pictures. Sometimes when I'm with friends we ponder whether we would live our lives over again. I think I probably wouldn't.. I've been there, done that! What I would do differently is be more focused on the principles I think children should grow up with. I did pretty good. My Jenn is a blessing. A sweet genuine, honest and loving person. I just would have been more focused. What about you? Anything you would do differently?

Pic.. cars in Rome.. would you take the ride over again?