It's odd how sometimes when "death" is about to occur, there seems to be a burst of light or a glow that increases first. In a few days, this tree will lose this beautiful fire burst and move into a quietude, a death of sorts. I couldn't resist reflecting on the burst of light I saw today as I passed by this tree and quickly took this picture, because the wind could start up and tomorrow, this could all be gone. All the many months of faithfully responding to the gift of light that this tree has tended to, storing up the light and making food to nurture herself and the world around her, without a thought about 401 k s and putting aside for the kids college fund. She has just quietly open her arms and been receptive to the gift of light.
When my friend, Cindy, was in her last year of life, waiting for her brain tumor to take her quietly in sleep I noticed something extraordinary about her appearance: her skin seemed to have a glow about it. With each day it became more and more transparent and a light seemed to emanate from her. It was then that I started making lanterns out of clay with a dancing figure. Each night I would light one in her bedroom, thinking, that if she should awaken in the middle of the night she would see this and it would cheer her on to move more fully toward the light I knew she would eventually see as she swung to the other side on the same gossamer thread of grace she had come in on some 52 years earlier. I guess, I aspire, too, as this tree, my friend Cindy and all of creation does to catch the light. There are many times that the lure of drama or the loud monkey mind or the dark ninja thoughts can creep in and distract me from the real work of being a Light-Magnet. When my friend made her transition and she and I learned to communicate she told me that the best way to describe what she is like now is like liquid light. " When you are over there you are a "solid" but, over here is is more like liquid light. Don't forget to focus big time on the light, K, it's all about the light!"
I am grateful that we are returning to standard time this weekend. It is just another reminder that in someway, we are trying to make the best use of the light. It is less about doing something to time and more about the light, for me. Maybe this is another reason for the sacredness of this time of year and all the celebrations we are preparing for. It's all about the light!
7 comments:
Last weekend I mistakenly believed the time changed back & blogged about that at my Small Reflections blog. I gather it happens THIS weekend.
Your amazing photo and the image of "the burning bush" reminds me of the life-altering perceptual shift I experienced years ago regarding the Bible phrase "It came to pass" for suddenly I realized EVERYTHING comes to pass (not to stay) and that's remained a "lightbulb" moment for me ever since ... a reminder to BE PRESENT ... BE HERE and find it steadies and soothes me through the rocky places of my journey.
Each time I meditate on my Soul Purpose I get images of "light" and of "bridges" ... and it occurs to me as I type, I've crossed a bridge into the light and found others dancing as I am.
Blessed Be
ah, yes, the light...an image that daily becomes closer to my heart and soul. it is a reawakening to something that has been present all my life, but was "hidden under a bushel" of shame and silence. a couple of years ago, a friend gave me the gift of "lucy". originally, it was as a reminder to me of the times when i get quite prickly and appear not so kind. it was a gift because it was to remind me that my true essence is one of kindness and joy not bitchiness, etc.
only last december...december 12 to be exact (the feast day of st. lucia) did i learn that lucy means light.
yes, the light is dear to my heart. it is a gift that keeps on giving. thank you for this beautiful reminder!
I'm delighted to find your blog via your comment at Diamonds in the Sky with Lucy.
This post about light reminds me also of the last hormonal bursts as we experience menopause, and how the symptoms of their strength can give us messages at this time of our lives, if we listen to them.
The Quaker faith believes that each of us has a 'light within' and they work to see recognize that light in others and develop it in themselves. This is my favorite time of the year with the leaves changing, but also the light that warm a cooling earth.
I LOVE the sound of and image in my head of LIQUID LIGHT. Thank you so much for writing of this, Sr. Kathryn ... and reminding me to focus on the light. I feel such a strong connection to your words; maybe I'll try to communicate it in paint.
Thank you for this. "Liquid light" makes to much sense. I lost a very young husband 25 years ago, and somehow this describes how I "feel" him. xoxo
Death has been on my mind a lot this past year. My mother's death, the year of mourning, a start towards feeling life again and then only to confront death once again though this time from a distance. As I think of my daughter-in-law's brother and the battle he is losing at 27 to cancer, I could not help but be moved, Colette, by your own comment regarding your loss of a young husband. Fall is a sad time but my light has not gone out. Every thought is a prayer.
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