A most excellent piece on a most essential point from my friend Kathy Dewez
Where have all the humans gone? Is civility dead?
Posted by Deborah H Rahalski on June 23, 2016
https://dhrahalski86.com/where-have-all-the-humans-gone-is-civility-dead/
Through the Valley
So fellow travelers, twenty eight years ago today I became a mother.
Mine was not to be a typical initiation into the sisterhood of mothers. Our first child, a son we named Zachary, was stillborn. He arrived prematurely at seven months; we’d just been told he had a genetic mutation known as trisomy 18, a condition which causes multiple developmental anomalies. Stillbirth was a blessing of grace, heart wrenching but yes a blessing.
Over the years I have come to know that moment more deeply than any other experience. It opened levels of compassion and empathy I did not know existed within me. Even if I could, I would not change anything about my time with Zachary. It defines who I am today. I did not leave the hospital with my baby but I returned home a mother. In the days and weeks of intense grief which followed, I vowed I would be a Mom to all children who came into my life, whether they were born to me or not.
Now today, nearly three decades later I will guide my daughters and stand with my three nephews as these five amazing young adults bid their cherished grandmother Godspeed on her journey home.
Their walk through the Valley of the Shadows is one we make together bound by the Love which lives forever in our hearts. It is a path I can walk with steadfast steps, for it is one known to me.
Happy Spirit Day, Zachary and thank you for giving me the gift of knowing grief is the crack in our hearts where the Light shines through.
Walk gently on the path my friends and may adventure find you ready.
Posted by Deborah H Rahalski on June 17, 2016
https://dhrahalski86.com/through-the-valley/
Solace and Solitude
So fellow travelers, there are moments in the steady onslaught of things which must be done when every fiber of my being cries out for respite.
Late this afternoon was one of those moments so Delilah and I headed for a park which I knew would have less foot traffic than our usual walking trail by the lake.
Finding just one other car in the parking lot made good on my assumption. We set out for the path which wove through the woods, I seeking solitude and Delilah seeking critter scent trails.
Take heed denizens of the forest, the Huntress is on the prowl
As she zigzagged across the path from promising brush pile to hollow log I listened to the sweet songs drifting down from the trees. Vireos, thrushes and song sparrows warbled a chorus punctuated by the sharp bright alarm calls of chipmunks startled by our wanderings.
This small sanctuary so peaceful and gracious, allowing me to take in the softness of wafting popular seeds
the magic of light on the green canopy
the sweet smell of wild blossoms
all reminders there is solace from the harshness of humanity’s inhumanity found in the solitude of the sacred spaces. Keep seeking, it may be just ahead on the path.
Walk gently on the path my friends and may adventure find you ready.
Posted by Deborah H Rahalski on June 16, 2016
https://dhrahalski86.com/solace-and-solitude/
Look up
So fellow travelers, lots of sadness in the world these past few days, including a personal loss in our own family; a passing not unexpected yet one which occurred sooner than anticipated.
Finding a post in my inbox about a celestial event* was a timely reminder of the healing power in the simple act of looking up. A simple yet significant truth: it takes more effort to maintain a frown if we tilt our head back and look up. It is also harder to hold a smile if our heads are bowed down.
As our family walks through the process of bidding a cherished elder member goodbye I will remind myself to look up to seek and honor the Light of the newest star in heaven. I will take that Light in my heart and send it out with peace, comfort and hope to all those who are bidding loved ones goodbye.
Sky reflections in my garden gazing globe
Walk gently on the path my friends and Godspeed to all souls traveling homeward these days.
*You can read about the current celestial event here
Posted by Deborah H Rahalski on June 14, 2016
https://dhrahalski86.com/look-up/
Wishing on the Sun
So fellow travelers, a few weeks ago I came across a post about a phenomenon called Manhattanhenge . Twice a year the setting sun lines up exactly with the east-west grid of streets in New York creating a simltaneous golden glow of light on every cross street in the city . (Neil deGrasse Tyson has a good description you can read here )
Naturally it’s become one of my wish list experiences. Weather permitting I might catch it this summer or sometime in the next few years.
If for some reason I don’t that might be ok because Friday morning’s sunrise created my own moment of alignment. As I came downstairs just before 6am, I saw a beautiful golden light. The rising sun had aligned exactly with the center of one glass panel in our front doorway.
It cast prism rays all through the entrance as if my wish had been heard and acknowledged in a small yet personal way.
One wish silent thought
Golden light replies You are
heard and you are loved
Do I really believe the sun hears my thoughts? Not on an intellectual level, no of course not. Yet we have lived in this house for 29 years and although I have seen many beautiful patterns created by the sun shining through the glass panels, not once have I seen the sun align with the center diamond before. Perhaps it’s me who finally hears the messages in Light.
Walk gently on the path my friends and may adventure find you ready.
Posted by Deborah H Rahalski on June 11, 2016
https://dhrahalski86.com/wishing-on-the-sun/
Art Show
So fellow travelers, our high school has display space in one area for student art work with rotating exhibitions through out the year. It is a space I visit often during the week, taking a few moments to appreciate the awesome pieces on display each month.
Allie Brown and Riley Carlucci
Once a year, during the last week of school, an entire wing and lobby are converted into gallery space for the senior art show.It’s become one of my favorite moments of the year.
Each senior who has taken classes in the art program is given a display area and I love watching their portfolios unfold. Reading their individual artist statements is fascinating.
Kylie Fischer
There’s a gallery reception one evening during the show and it’s not uncommon to over hear parents murmuring comments of astonishment at their child’s accomplishments
Marisa Madonna
Naturally, there are pieces which speak to the angst and challenges of teenage years
Anna Davis
Katie Doyle
and pieces given to flights of fantasy
Brihanna Drake
Austin McClaskey
Carl Livingston
For a week, the long hallway is filled with color
Brad Krahl
and texture
Courtney Hines
Jenny Boden
Danielle Johnson
and artistry reaching beyond the young years of these graduating students
Mike Morris
Sarah Hamilton
and my own spirits rise with hope for this future generation of creative spirits.
Claire Shonyo
Walk gently on the path my friends and may adventure find you ready.
Posted by Deborah H Rahalski on June 7, 2016
https://dhrahalski86.com/art-show/
The Miracle of Random Joy
So fellow travelers, cleaning off the deck on this warm breezy morning I found two little sticks which looked like letters. Smiling, I looked around for one more shape I needed. Right at that moment a flower fluttered down from our little dogwood tree which blossomed last week for the first time since we planted it almost a decade ago.
Miracles are all around us everyday. We find them when we need them most.
One fallen flower
Two random twigs
Three wondrous letters
For all a gift
Walk gently on the path my friends and may adventure find you ready.
Posted by Deborah H Rahalski on June 2, 2016
https://dhrahalski86.com/the-miracle-of-random-joy/
The Sound of Light
So fellow travelers, it’s been a strange couple of days.
My original plans for the holiday weekend were derailed by a random digestive rebellion. No extended time with the new rescue dogs who arrived early Saturday, no hikes, bird walks or picnics, no visiting with friends camping at local state parks. Yesterday, feeling somewhat better, I took our dog out early. We were greeted by a coll refreshing breeze and magical light which gave me this beautiful image. As I stood taking in the energies of this glorious moment I swear I heard those pretty purple bell flowers ringing.
Dawn comes darkness fades
Pain becomes mere memory
Light rings healing bells.
Maybe it was just post fever dehydration making my ears ring. Either way the music was beautifully healing.
Walk gently on the path my friends and may adventure find you ready.
Posted by Deborah H Rahalski on May 31, 2016
https://dhrahalski86.com/the-sound-of-light/
… on scheduling nothing
Sharing this wonderful piece from Lisa Dingle’s blog. So timely as we come through a month of very hectic family events, some planned, some unexpected. While my own plans for a do nothing day this weekend were sidelined by a random stomach bug, I am not feeling badly. I have actually been enjoying the sights and sounds of several birding areas, thanks to an intrepid birder who posts a video “tour” every weekend on line. The down time is also giving me a chance to process my thoughts about our own birding expedition last weekend. That post will be up soon.
Posted by Deborah H Rahalski on May 29, 2016
https://dhrahalski86.com/on-scheduling-nothing/