Beloved or A Word About Weaving What Matters

Beloved, you are my sister, you are my daughter, you are my face; you are me. -Toni Morrison

Looking into the faces of these beautiful, extraordinary souls, I am awed by their uniqueness and originality. Each one is like a precious tapestry, woven together by the golden threads of a love story that began years before their conception. Each so perfect , yet so varied in their perfection. Each one a single work of art containing intermingled fibers creating a lineage. A lineage which has gone before and, God willing, will continue forward into a seamless cloth blended together by the women and men who came before them. These are my girls. These are my forever angels.

I often write about my four angel daughters who are the reason for so much of my joy, but there is more. I am also fortunate enough to have two more angels who are ages five and nine. They are my nieces, my younger brother's daughters. My brother and his wife live fairly close to us, so we are able to see these adorable, little redheads on a regular basis. I adore them. I find them fascinating. I am not quite sure how my annoying little brother was able to pull off having such wonderful little girls, but who am I to ask such questions? Anyhow, these two little angels own a piece of my heart. I look at the six angel faces in this photo and I can only imagine the women that these girls will become. I have already had a glimpse of the future in my older angels, and it is heartwarming to see the love and connection and support which they share. Yes, they have each other, a small army of six, but as their worlds expand and enlarge, I can see the admiration and love that they have for their friends and other individuals who come into their worlds. Each one, building on to the tapestry which women create with one another.

As compassionate women, we seem to have a very keen awareness as to the connection that we share with one another. There is a sisterhood amongst women which can be undeniable. A thread that binds us together. A cloth woven together with many textures and colors which when handled properly, can feel like love itself.

I must take a moment to thank you for all of the kind comments, emails and notes which you have left for me during the past several days. I feel like I have been carried through so much of the physical pain, on the wings of women whom I have never even had the pleasure of meeting personally. Each kindness, adds to the strength of the thread which binds us together, increasing the richness of the fabric as our lives mingle and merge. Thank you.

May this beautiful day remind you of the golden thread which runs through the lives of people who take the time to care about each other. May reflecting on the strength and spirit of women who have come before and who will come after, and knowing that you are a part of that strength, add to the fortitude and stability of your life.