Remembering Your Wings or Why I Can Relate to a Helium Balloon

I spotted these pink balloons floating heavenward, the other day, and for a moment, my soul froze mesmerized.  It was as if a small part of me somehow remembered what it was like to fly.
So much has changed for me in the past year.  I lost my only brother.  I found out that family can just be a pretty word for strangers who don't know a thing about you, but who pretend that they do.  I also found out that family, when done correctly, can absolutely save your life.  I experienced the true meaning of the word "betrayal" and then, what guilt looks like on people who do intend to cause pain.  It's not a pretty sight.  

But I also learned that death does not separate souls.  It does not mean the ending of love.  It does not cause a relationship to fracture, and in some ways, it strengthens the bond.  In watching those balloons, I felt a momentary separation between my body and my soul.  I remembered what it was like to be free of earthly pain.  I recognized my soul as a very separate part of my being and it reminded me that I could fly.  I remembered my own wings, tethered to their earthly body, yet very much alive and vibrant.  And I believed...I do believe that the strand which tethers my own soul to my body is the very same thread that keeps me connected to those whom I have loved, but who are now flying freely.
When my girls were little, I always told them that a balloon that broke free was a gift for the angels.  A gift for the angels from my Angels.  Because of this belief, they never cried when they lost hold of a helium balloon.  They would stand stoically, necks bent backwards, gazing into the sky, their little hands waving as the balloon drifted higher and higher into the heavens.  They could be strong because they knew that their balloon might be caught by a band of playful angels, or a thoughtful soul looking down, watching over the people that they loved.  They knew that just because they couldn't see their balloon, that it didn't mean that it was now gone forever.  It was just someplace else.  Someplace different.  Someplace they remembered, even if that memory was only somehow felt on a cellular level.

We all have wings.  And although the only flight that we can now experience is with our feet on the ground, it is important to remember what it is like to fly.  And to remember that those who we love, who are no longer attached to this earth, still hold us very close.  As we do them.  And the relationship continues, although it is different.  Because if we try very hard to remember, we will feel the freedom of air moving us skyward like a balloon that has broken free.  And that feeling will be incredible...Absolutely incredible.

May you find a way to feel the gentle movement of the breeze which can bring your sight skyward and try to remember what it is like to fly.  May you take a moment to focus on that strong, invisible thread that connects you, undyingly, to those you love.  Near or far.  May you recognize that the love is just as strong as it ever was.  Flight or no flight.

Grey Stone, Crimson Blooms

As I wandered throughout my backyard, this afternoon, I felt completely awed and comforted by the variety of Spring blossoms which seemed to appear overnight.  The colors and textures and scents caused me to stop and take notice of how beautiful everything was.  I felt a sense of serenity when I looked down at our Buddha statue and observed that the only leaning flower, had landed almost purposefully in it's lap.  The contrast of the subtle, light grey stone against the vibrant, crimson red blossoms, made me think about the many contrasts which we experience throughout our days.  Hour to hour, things evolve and change.  Each moment of our life history can look very different from the last, but it is up to us to notice those changes.  Some are drastic, however, most are quite subtle and will not be noticed unless we take the time to wander slowly and to observe.

I had no purpose when I went outside today.  I only wanted to be.  And I realized that even in

the most seemingly uneventful moments of life, we can be prompted to notice some of the 

greatest contrasts.  We can observe the beauty in asymmetry, but we must be prepared by

allowing ourselves to start by just being.

If you have a few moments today, take a few deep breaths and then try to clear your mind of unnecessary clutter.  While in that moment, look around and see if you might be able to observe some of the contrasts which are all around you.  

I would be most honored if you would share some of your observations here.