This first verse to an old but perpetually relevant song by Simon and Garfunkel has been a recurring theme for me throughout my life. In the mystical moment between asleep and awake lie the revelations that sear the soul, the brilliant 'Aha's' that I try to grasp even as they slip once more into the chasm of oblivion.
My heart cries to capture them and share these truths with the world; but, like glistening drops of morning dew, they disintegrate when touched-shattering into a million molecules that disappear into the atmosphere once again...waiting. They wait for us to be ready, to be worthy, to be willing to hear and to accept the truth of what they are, what we are and what we have done, and what we must do to be at peace with the universe as we were in the beginning. Before the desire grew too big, before the killing, the willing that all would be gained at any cost.
We have moved so far beyond our connection with our earth home that our children don't know the histories any more. The struggles that made us strong have been stuffed into closets to collect dust along with the musty bones of those whose blood was shed forging the path that brought us to our comfortable place. The face of humanity has changed from eager hunger for growth and transformation to bored apathetic impatient expectation.
Is it too late, have we gone too far? I see kindness still reaching, hear the teaching of the wise ones-their voices rising above the cacophony of technology. The drone of witty repertoire, edgy, cool and quippy but without context.
Listen to the old for they have lived a life and made it this far having listened to those who went before. Who has lived who hasn't committed sin, hasn't lived in error, and hasn't changed from the long road? A wise man once said, "Whoever sees his life and feels he knows the answers to all the questions can be certain he does not even know the questions."
Listen to the young without judgment and know that they are learning. Do not allow their toys to raise them, their peers to teach them or their activities to be their only companions. Parenting means being present, being aware, and it is not for the faint of heart. Being your child's friend should be your last priority. A good parent will know the friendship of their grown children once they reach their own maturity.
It is said that parenting is a thankless job and it can seem that way for many years. Now that my children are grown I feel their thankfulness in every conversation we have, see it in their beautiful faces and the lives they are creating every day. Sometimes we didn't like each other when they were young but we always loved one another. Love is neither easy nor disposable.
Good relationships are hard work. We are not put here to 'fix' each other or to mold our relationships. We often have to suffer through changes, for we all change as we grow. Sometimes those changes are too great to sustain our relationship; yet sometimes, if we are patient we can catch up to one another again, find that even ground and see one another with new eyes. Relationship can be a metamorphosis of love from awkward caterpillar to resting cocoon to magnificent flight. Don't give up when you realize you are actually separate persons with your own ideas, goals and desires.
Know that you are never alone. Especially when you are all alone. It is in those moments, in the absolute quiet that descends like a blanket around you, that you can be still and know that love is that blanket. Close your eyes and see it, feel it, accept it. It will be the most complete love you will ever know.
Never be afraid to share your thoughts, your love or your ideas. Keeping treasures hidden away is like stealing from those who will value them most. Failure is not death and fear is the antithesis of Love. Only love is real. All else falls away in its light. Hold on to the Light.
And the people bowed and prayed
to the neon God they made
and the sign flashed out its warning
in the words that it was forming
and the sign said,
"The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
Sharing another Nature moment that fits with our current situation. Recent days feel just like this for me and so many others. Our office remains open and people keep coming, keep congregating, keep laughing and throwing caution to the wind in the face of the frightening truth. I have all my fingers and toes crossed just like this guy. Be well my friends. If you care for yourself it will be helping everyone.
From the pages of an unfolding tale, an excerpt from the vision of my soul...Forever Never. My good friends are already familiar with these characters. For anyone else, let me introduce you...
He cut a striking silhouette against the gray-blue dusk, silently watching, stoic in his resolve. He didn’t know she lay still as death on their blanket..still, yet wide awake. She knew she was supposed to sleep, to rest for the coming dawn of unknown horrors, but her mind couldn’t let go. It reached in every direction in spite of her weak attempts to quiet the voices. It was too still within the forest clearing. The night looked so perfect with a bright moon glowing overhead, the air nicely warm and cool at the same time. They both knew it was a grand deception, dark magic at its most loathsome. All around the camp site were other Watchers, evenly spaced and armed, ready for whatever might come. They were creatures of darkness, after all. Why wouldn’t their master have them attack at night?
Naofa let an involuntary sigh slip through her lips, betraying her wakeful presence. The Warrior turned from his thoughts and knelt down beside her. She looked up into his face apologetically, mouthing, ‘I’m sorry’. Laoch put his finger to her lips and shook his head, stretching out to lie down beside her. Naofa lay her head on his chest and stared up at the cloudless, starless night. Funny, she thought, so much effort put into that false environment and the fools left out the best part of a night. She was glad because it reminded her how unreal this place was and how much danger they were facing. Laoch stroked her hair and pulled her hand to his lips to kiss her fingers.
“If we make it to dawn we will move quickly. There will be little time to speak of the things of our hearts. I want to thank you for forgiving me, for helping me to see myself as I never allowed myself to..”
Naofa swallowed the tears that wanted to flow and choked back the emotions that fought their way into her consciousness. She wanted only to bring back the Mother of Domhan so that balance could be returned to their world and the new life she had awaited for so long could at last could begin. Her heart refused to think of the children, waiting safely in Juntos..for the moment. Their quest was to make sure no danger spread beyond the Black Mountains and into their homelands. She spread her hand over his chest and felt his heartbeat. Her fingertips tingled at the warmth of him.
“You have known the truth from the moment of your birth,” she whispered. “Your soul is perfect and nothing of this dream can change that. But you..you found me in my isolation and brought me back into the land of the living. You have made Agean the happiest child on Domhan. Oh, Agean..”
“This is for them, Naofa, for all of them. Agean, Saol, Ella, every tribe on this world. The Mother of Domhan and her child are out there and we will find them before he does. We won’t lose to him this time.” The Warrior kissed her forehead. “Sleep now, my love. Please, for all our sakes. We need your strength.”
The Sorceress had no idea when she finally drifted off to sleep, but her mind was filled with dreams. She floated through a lush, fragrant garden with her friends at her side. Eagna laughed as she plucked wildflowers along the trail while M’na hummed a lullaby to the infant she cradled in her arms. The scent of fresh lavender hung all around them..so sweet.
Wait. Was it really lavender? No, no, it was not sweet at all. The smell burned her nose and was foul, rancid and bitter. It stung her eyes. Thick, hot smoke soon enveloped them so that she could no longer see the beautiful faces of her friends. Lightening streaked across the sky, now gray with angry clouds. Thunder rolled so loudly she had to cover her ears. What kind of thunder was this? It roared in her head as the ground rumbled and quaked beneath her feet. The ground rumbled.....
Naofa sat bolt upright on the blanket, beads of sweat spotted across her exposed skin. There was no Warrior beside her. He was already on his feet, his bow raised and drawn as he turned to face the dark shadows of the forest that surrounded them. The Watchers were all poised just as Laoch was and the remaining horsemen were rousing. Noafa gasped and Laoch nodded. She jumped to her feet, reaching her sword just as the first of them broke into the clearing...
