To Bless the Space Between Us - Do you see it?

(Because I didn't ... at first.)

So yesterday morning I was taking a photo of the picture of this dear young girl, 

my gentle teacher quietly reminding me to "Bless the Space Between [my sister, 

who has stepped w-a-y back from our relationship, and me]" propped up against 

the lamp right here next to my chair. Other than moving my clear little flowerpot 

shaped votive holder (reminding me to Cultivate Joy, my word for this year), 

I didn't move a thing.

Cropping my morning photo down to a square, I saw it.

Mary *is* looking out from behind "me." I love that she's a little above me, too,

so she can see both thru my eyes and also beyond me (for me).... she can see 

farther out than what I can see. Ah, yes... *She* can offer love to my sister and 

bless the space between us on the days when I simply cannot because the reality 

is sometimes the years-long space between us hurts.

And behind her is the gentle reminder, "Let Yourself Be Held", a tender piece 

I have loved (and clung to) for a very long time.

So then I pulled an angel card by cutting my deck: Close. I'm smiling again... *yes!* 

Mary, Mama Grace, and all of my aunties are indeed Close to me, gently caring for 

me, "looking out" for me (<-- so loving the double meaning of this one!), and watching 

over me - even when I don't/can't see or realize it.

Before tucking my angel cards back into their box, I happened to notice that right 

under Close was Mirror. I smiled to myself as I put the lid on my box and put it up 

so I could move into getting ready for my day.

A few moments later as I was showering, I thought, "No. Mirror does belong, too!" 

My little altar vignette is intentionally mirroring for me how to be (send love to my 

sister as best I can each day) and also what is happening (all my mamas and aunties 

are helping me). Then it brought a warm smile to remember that in a class I'm taking,

we were invited to look in an actual mirror.

So I went back and found Mirror and pulled it out.  

And the card under Mirror? 

 Root. 

Yes! That fits, too! My faith, which I've learned to practice with some grains of salt, 

has been a firm foundation for me. Plus looking tenderly into my eyes with the help 

of a mirror and speaking gentle encouragements to myself is something I've done

for decades. All of this, for me, is about returning to the basics... the Root of it all

Love

And under Root? 

 Receive.

Yes. 

♥ 

Sweet soul, it really is ok to simply allow Love to see thru me, let myself be held 

and trust that I am beloved and blessed.

It really, *really* is ok to simply Receive. Alls I hafta do is open my heart, as best 

I can in each moment, Pause and Let Love In.

Oh, and the Mother Mary oracle card I drew? 

Our Lady of Divine Presence.

Blessed be indeed.

.                 *                 .

August Break 2017 :: Day 7 - [Looking] Glass

#augustbreak2017

.         *         .

July 19 :: Mirror

Driving by this wooded area in our neighborhood feels like a breath of fresh air, especially 

when coming home in the afternoon.

And a few weeks ago?  A young doe crossed in front of me on my way to work just around 

the bend in my mirror. In doing some googling, I was so tickled to discover that some believe 

that "When deer are present, it is sure that there are angels nearby."

Yes!

❤️

.            *            .

Being Seen :: Mirror Meditation

Ever since I bought it over 3 years ago for my first time taking Liz's mirror meditation 

e-course, my black, handheld mirror has been right here beside my blue chair. Because of 

our visit to Texas to see my family last week, today is the first day I've actually taken some 

time with it since we began. 

Having been at it awhile, I've come to deeply appreciate this practice and it brought a soft 

smile to really see myself again this afternoon.  Smiling because as soon as I looked at my 

reflection I found myself greeting my eyes with a warm "hello there!"  

I like this picture and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the black side can be used 

as a mirror too!  I really love that my quartet of guardian angels surrounding my sweet red 

oil lamp (my little altar reminding me of my word for this year, Abide) can be seen in the 

image as well. 

I wanted to tuck in a little encouragement, too, since I really do know that it can be quite 

uncomfy to take self-portraits, especially at first. 

For whatever it's worth, finding new ways and angles to take photos is like creative play 

for me. I just happen to be the subject. 😉  And for this eldest girl child, who has spent 

a lifetime focusing on seeing others and tending to their needs first (and often 

"exclusively"), this has been a very good practice for me. 

I also wonder if focusing on composition (how I'm setting up the photo - so what gets 

included in the frame and what doesn't) helps to take some of the pressure off. 

As I press "post," know that I am sending a little love to all of us as we find our way 

... together.

 ❤️

.               *              .