REST AND RAIN

I appreciated Charlie Ann's response to my last post: Whew! Indeed too much emotional input without lots of down time. This past week I've had down time as in no schedule, weeding my friend's garden, hanging with two other ole cronies, sleeping in and wandering in Manitou Park here in Spokane, WA. And this after a deep and nurturing weekend dance camp on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Early this week I was trying to find the Japanese Gardens in the park and asked a woman walking her little dog. She was going that way so we fell into conversations (as women do) about her reason for visiting Spokane, and mine. Surprisingly, she showed up at the reading at Auntie's Bookstore, and bought a book! The gardens have offered so much to my soul: the scent of lilacs, of iris and balsam. A few hours wandering with my Dervish Beloved Coco exclaiming over the colors of the "floozy peonies", and the ducklings at the pond found me satiated with reassurance that all is well, I am well and able, and beloveds (visible and invisible) reflect the light of the One into my heart.

It was the Grace of Heaven that I landed at the Dance Camp last weekend in light of my sister in law passing away, my son's tears as we left him in Pasco two weeks ago, my own doubts about working again in a field I thought I'd left behind. Without warning the mists (or drenching rains) of fatigue and doubt flooded me, and I found myself weeping and weak. This arose during the second dance at the retreat, and I backed away from the circle to sob on the sidelines. Immediately I felt an arm around my shoulders, and then a loving presence moved down the line of chairs to post herself beside me. No questions asked. Total permission to embrace the downpour until it passed.

The weekend allowed rest as I gave myself permission to sleep in, take naps, miss classes (except the ones I was responsible for) and take in the lapping of the lake along the shore. And the past week has too; indulgence is an attribute of Sagittarius!

I've already seen myself behind the wheel heading East down the highway tomorrow morning. I feel emptier and stronger. I know my little house will look cluttered, and the demands of the kitchen will be visible at first glance. The dogs will demand my attention. But I'm okay with it; I co-created all of it, and it's my refuge too. And more beloveds will be there. How blessed am I!

As the rains are soaking the earth here in Spokane and, I understand, in the Bitterroot too, I've allowed Grace to re-enter my Soul through taking care of myself. May you also take the time to soak up the Love that surrounds us.