Remember Me - Margaret Mead

This was shared last Saturday - Read by Gloria as a tribute for a life friend, classmate that had journey to the next Great Expression.... Remember Me: To the living, I am gone. To the sorrowful, I will never return. To the angry, I was cheated, But to the happy, I am at peace, And to the faithful, I have never left. I cannot be seen, but I can be heard. So as you stand upon a shore, gazing at a beautiful sea - remember me. As you look in awe at a mighty forest and its grand majesty - remember me. As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity - remember me. Remember me in your heart, your thoughts, your memories of the times we loved, the times we cried, the times we fought, the times we laughed. For if you always think of me, I will never be gone. Margaret Mead Margaret Mead has such a great wisdom, that transcends generation - like Gloria's classmate Betty Marie

Remebering and being in the MOMENT....

Thích Nhất Hạnh wrote: “The day my mother died I wrote in my journal, "A serious misfortune of my life has arrived." I suffered for more than one year after the passing away of my mother. But one night, in the highlands of Vietnam, I was sleeping in the hut in my hermitage. I dreamed of my mother. I saw myself sitting with her, and we were having a wonderful talk. She looked young and beautiful, her hair flowing down. It was so pleasant to sit there and talk to her as if she had never died. When I woke up it was about two in the morning, and I felt very strongly that I had never lost my mother. The impression that my mother was still with me was very clear. I understood then that the idea of having lost my mother was just an idea. It was obvious in that moment that my mother is always alive in me. I opened the door and went outside. The entire hillside was bathed in moonlight. It was a hill covered with tea plants, and my hut was set behind the temple halfway up. Walking slowly in the moonlight through the rows of tea plants, I noticed my mother was still with me. She was the moonlight caressing me as she had done so often, very tender, very sweet... wonderful! Each time my feet touched the earth I knew my mother was there with me. I knew this body was not mine but a living continuation of my mother and my father and my grandparents and great-grandparents. Of all my ancestors. Those feet that I saw as "my" feet were actually "our" feet. Together my mother and I were leaving footprints in the damp soil. From that moment on, the idea that I had lost my mother no longer existed. All I had to do was look at the palm of my hand, feel the breeze on my face or the earth under my feet to remember that my mother is always with me, available at any time.” Thank you Thích Nhất Hạnh, I'm in total awe and agreement....its a thin veil between worlds, and I am blessed in the knowingness that I can speak to my Mom as easily as I can write this blog today....and my prayer is as simple as "My Mom, my Mom.....or....LOVE you Mom"....and we are both uplifted....

Thinking of those who came before me...

It's weird today, I have an overwhelming feeling of my Grandmother Bennett....and Irish Traditions....and all that she taught me....and this Irish Blessing came to mind: Remembered Joy- An Irish Blessing.... Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free! I follow the plan God laid for me. I saw His face, I heard His call, I took His hand and left it all... I could not stay another day, To love, to laugh, to work or play; Tasks left undone must stay that way. And if my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss... Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss. My life’s been full, I’ve savoured much: Good times, good friends, a loved-one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief— Don’t shorten yours with undue grief. Be not burdened with tears of sorrow, Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow. Remembering Grandma.....and Mom....and those that came before them ... Elizabeth, Mary...for its on your shoulders I ma uplifted....thank you for the blessings...

Gratitude as a Habit....

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson What does this habit look like....how does it feel....I know the teachings of Jesus share "in all things give thanks"....in all THINGS...that thought in mind I am grateful....for all that I am....all that I have....all that I will be....for I know it is all part of the Divine Plan....

Yes Sir That's My Baby....

Have you ever heard this song as Eddie Cantor sang it in the 20's.... I've just spend some time listening to the words..... You see, my Grandfather use to sing it to my Mom when she was young....it's perfect! Yes Sir, that's my Baby Girl!!! Love you Mom!!!

Gratitude

"There is nothing that can equal the treasure of so many shared memories." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery Are you creating memories with those you love......sharing moments that will never come again.....like watching a sunset; belly laughing; seeing the same place, as if you are seeing it for the first time.... Childhood memories...are they with family....friends.....at school....at camp....what are those memories that you hold dear to your heart.... Are you allowing your children; grandchildren to create memories .... with you in the midst with them.... Something to consider....what will they remember.... Blessings!

1st Week of 2016.....Did you Keep Your Resolutions...

First do you remember what your resolutions were.... Did you make them to please another....or we're they personal in nature Did you keep them... I'm exploring my Answers....who we're they made for.....was it made from pressure or from the fact I really wanted to make this change.... Here's what I noticed from myself.... I made a resolution that I would blog once a day....I've blogged....in my journal, yet not all made there way to this page - - - which was/is the intent of my resolution - - - could I ....would I....publish 365 days in a row.....clearly I did make it through the first week..... So....I am beginning again....GUILT Free in my endeavor.... Yes its that simple.....and guess what....that's how Jesus operated when he came upon a group of people who discovered they were doing wrong....he said "quit it"....and sin no more.....yes a score of life is kept....but guess what....God's not holding the tablet is tight as you are....so QUIT IT....

LOVE....

Wow....did that last blog, give you things to think about.... Did the song "What's Love got to Do with IT"... What came up for you.... Many things for me....starting with, how do you love at all times....seems easy for my pups Tanner and Sebastian....they love me unconditionally.... I can love God with all my heart and soul... Its the part - seeing God in ALL and loving them with all my heart and soul... Truly this is an interesting exploration of Scripture, and the very nature of each of us....

Mark 12:29-30

What woudld it be like, to spend a day; a week; a month; a year contemplating this Biblical verse: "Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:29-30)........Interested in exploring.....I am....Mind, Body, and Soul......

Prayer for the New Year....Love Hallmark

Its Sunday....so of course prayers are good....actually they are good all days, all times..... Hallmark has this one for us.... Prayer for the New Year Give us the kindness to hear with compassion, to offer support, loving comfort, and care. Give us the courage to do what is needed, the wisdom to choose what is right and most fair. Give us the vision to see what is possible Give us the faith, that will help pave the way, for a present that is hopeful, a future that is peaceful Give us the heart to bring joy to each day. This is my prayer for the day, for the week, for all for live... Lord hear our prayer.

WOW - What an interesting journey..... Yesterday, while in the Silence, it came to me it was time to write/blog....and I thought, what better place, than on God at PLAY's Blog... So its amazing to see that I have not been here, on this page, taking this action for 5 almost 6 years... WELL, its a NEW Day...and so we begin... As I reflect on the 5 years....I am amazed to see where I've been....and who I have begun....and to think, I just thought it was 2015 that gave me so many gifts... My goal in writing is to reflect and capture the "Godbumps"....those moments that give you Godbumps, not Goosebumps....those moments in tym that captures the essence of God, and give you a deep profound gratitude - - like finding this blog page, and realizing the many gifts, and journeys I have traveled.... So I'm inviting you along for the journey...the journey of this life...God's life in me, as me, thru me.... Some days it may be mellow..... Others, may seem like an amazing rollercoaster ride and others....who knows.... I'm OPEN to the Magic of the Mystical Train... Blessings to All, Rev. Kathleen