The circle of life

While numbing my mind in the maze of the web, i came across this quote by an indian elder: "Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle.  The sky is round, and I have heard the earth is round like a ball and also are all the stars.  The wind, in its greatest power, whirls.  A bird nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.  The sun comes forth and goes down again in a full circle.  The moon does the same and both are round.  Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were.  The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves."

-Black Elk, the Dakota elder

It's right where my thoughts are at the moment - the circle of life, mandala making, waiting for the moon to come up, waiting for the sun to come up.  time passes and wounds heal and the world continues on with its circular pattern.

It Just Keeps coming....

and i'm not sure how much more i can take - my heart is just broken.  my son's good friend committed suicide. 20 years old. only 20 years old. so many unanswerable questions and raw emotions right now.  my number one priority is nic and helping him cope with this horribly sad reality.  we want to protect our children from just this - pain so deep - pain that will change his world and his life.  i'm in pain too - this young man was a part of my life for 14 years - kinder year they met and became fast friends.  i thought this is their time to fly to dream to believe in the future - so many open doors - nic came home from ny to be with us and to attend the service. what to say what to do? i'm flying by the seat of my pants here - hugs love food.  men process things differently says my friend rachel - create space for him to talk but don't expect him to disclose it all during the next week. i'm already worried about him going back to ny on the 1st for the last weeks of school and finals.  i'll hold my breath until he is back home -in my hug- for winter break.  broken hearted is how i feel just now.  just broken hearted.  

Fires

just received horrible news that our family friends lost their house in the fires.  it is keeping me awake tonight - my heart goes out to them.  she is an excellent musician and she lost all of her sheet music.  i know this because she told me - and it started me thinking about the things we think we need or care about that we pack up in our cars to evacuate.  we forget about the sheet music - our soul food - the things around us that nurture our soul and contribute to our inner-well being.  for everyone it is different.  i looked around and made a mental list of the things i would grab and it is not an easy task.  the collage my son made in kinder, the love notes spread around the house from t, the altered books, the handmade valentines, but what about important papers, pillows, water, flashlights, photo albums, clothes, the list is long.  in the heat of the grab do you forget about what your soul needs and go straight for the mandatory?  there is always a bit of irony in every situation and this is no different.  my grandmother passed away recently and there is her home for them to stay in, her grand piano to be played, and an entire cabinet of sheet music.  maybe this will bring a bit of peace to my friend.  all i know is that right now i feel very lucky to be sitting here typing this.

Creative Time

In the midst of all my busy-ness and deadlines, I decided to take a class with Anahata on mandala painting and funky wallpaper people.  It was a blast and I met some really fabulous women.  The two days flew by and I came home with a new love of collage, painting, and just winging it!  Less thinking (brain) more loving (heart).  Ana was just wonderful and so talented.  She has an easy spirit and was so willing to share her techniques.  Here are some posts with photos of the weekend and please check out the blogs of some of these lovely talented ladies.  A big thank you to Emily for the great idea and working it all out.