Letting the Light Shine In

Experiencing another week on the roller-coaster of intense highs and lows.  Continuing to work with the graphic designer, readying my book for print -  necessitating combing through each page repeatedly, resulting in understandably heightened emotions.  Marking another Mother's Day - visiting with my daughters and extended family, four generations of mothers and their children gathered together. Organizing the upcoming memorial golf tournament, resulting in daily opportunities to reconnect with community and friends.  At times, I feel weighed down by the more difficult aspects of these endeavours.  Then, as I began writing this post, out in the sunshine this afternoon, I recognized that woven under, over and around all the challenges are the nourishing elements of support, love, and gratitude.  All those involved are mutually giving and receiving these life-sustaining energies.  Support. Love.  Gratitude.  All opening the door to let the light shine in.

Nature's Classroom

Gazing out at that huge healthy cottonwood last weekend, I again reflected upon its one large dead branch.  Located midway up the trunk, it has held on for over ten years.  Surrounded by growth, this one has none.  Each time I return to the lake, I half expect to see that branch lying on the beach.  Not yet.  For the first few years I contemplated removing it.  An eyesore I thought.  Useless.  Too high for me to reach, it remained.  Then, I began to pay attention.  Numerous birds were using that branch.  Nourishing themselves.  Meeting up with others.  Resting.  That dead branch and the birds are a continual reminder that my view is only one view.