Holidays

Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the country’s armed forces, whereas Veterans Day celebrates the service of all US military veterans.  This distinction is a significant one.  Dying while serving is the ultimate gift anyone can give for their country, their life.

 

Is this something that a soul planned before they come into human form or is a decision made somewhere along life’s journey that they will serve and die?  Whatever way the decision was made, it signifies a level of spiritual commitment that often goes unrecognized.

 

A spirit in a human body, no matter the personality traits or behaviors, takes this incredibly difficult journey from life to death in a way that many of us would find intolerable and that we would be unable to complete it.

 

Rigorous physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual training, absolute obedience to authority, unbelievably long hours, a relinquishing of personal freedom, and acceptance of all types of shelter, food, and clothing is mandatory.  I have the greatest respect for those who choose to give themselves over to the military service.  I honor and pray for those who have died no matter what country they are from, those who have been maimed or wounded, and for those who are serving presently.  I pray that humanity everywhere finds peace within, each person, each village, each city, each state, each country, and the world so there is no future for death of any of our beloved men and women through war.

 

This called up a character trait in myself that I evaluate from time to time, and that impacted my spiritual growth.  I have never been one to go along with what others say, do, or think, if I didn’t like, believe, or trust what they were doing.  At a much younger age in my life, I was dating a man who was in the Army and he described what Army wives were required to do.  I knew I would not fit in so I decided not marry a military man.  I knew that I would not turn over my personal freedom, power, or anything else to anyone.  I would not surrender any part of myself.

 

I kept tight control of this non-surrendering until I was certain about a person, group, or situation, standing back, observing, evaluating and then making a decision.  It was excellent training for my spiritual growth as I learned much about myself and others from observing.  I was initially drawn to the surface, what was exciting, looked or sounded good.  Then, I learned to go deep within myself to be sure a person, group, or situation was right for me to involve myself.

 

This practice made it easy for me to surrender to Spirit as I knew from these skills what was right for me with more and more certainty.  Surrendering to Spirit opened whole new vistas of love and information that frees me in many more ways than I ever imagined.  The more I surrendered, the more my life unfolded so beautifully with ease and grace.

 

So, on this Memorial Day and every day, I send Healing, Blessings, Light, Love, Peace, and Release for each military soul who is now in Spirit having so lovingly given their greatest gift, their life, and for their families still here in the human body.  The precious gift of their life gives me the freedom to live a Spirit filled, or whatever kind of life I choose.   I am eternally grateful.

 

I ask those in Spirit to help me and humanity bring ourselves to a place of harmony and cooperation in all our interactions so no other souls have to give their lives, whether in the military or elsewhere.  God Bless You All Now and Forevermore!  Nancy and Reggie♥

Mother’s Day is a holiday I look forward to as I never know what is going to happen.  Each year is a mystery until the day arrives and begins to unfold.  I am in a state of anticipation upon arising as to who will be my first caller, so take my shower and get ready before most will call as I don’t want to miss any calls.  The cards that have come in the mail that I have been waiting to open until today are first.

Next, I take Reggie for a walk before breakfast while it is still cool and silent out.  The morning stillness, air, and freshness of the day fill my body and soul.  We just get back from our walk when I get my first call.  It fills my heart with such joy to hear a beloved voice and share about our week and plans for the day.

I go to church and there is a lovely service honoring Mothers and women’s role in the world.  After the service, the men of the church created a special social gathering with tablecloths and fresh flowers on each table in honor of the Mothers.  Delicious Chocolate Covered Strawberries, small and large Frosted Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes, Frosted Brownies, Scones, and fresh fruit as well as coffee, tea, and juice were awaiting our enjoyment.  Such a loving gesture was so touching to me and expanded my joy.  I left full of sugar and praising the wonderful surprise gift.

My little Reggie was waiting at home for me to love on him and hold him on my lap for a little while.  He lays between my legs when I am in my recliner reading.  I give him a soft love from time to time; my way of mothering him and his way of letting me know he loves me.

My friend and I went to lunch, visited long after we finished eating, filling each other’s hearts and souls with our sharing.  We enrich each other’s lives with our openness and depth of sharing that comes from having similar life experiences and unwavering commitment to our spiritual journey.  We “mother” each other by our unconditional listening, support, and encouragement.

Next, my grandsons surprised me with a gift card.  I like to use these things up right away so they don’t expire (smile).  So, after lunch, I found the perfect gift, four Teal acrylic glasses to use when I go out on the porch, and a writing journal called “Start an Adventure”.  The journal reminded me of them as it is such an incredible adventure being their Grandmother.

I went home so full of wonderful food, conversation, and gifts.  The afternoon continued with more than usual calls, email flower cards, gifts, and texts.  A couple of my loved ones call in the evening so we don’t miss sharing about all of the events of the day, ending a Mother’s Day full of wonderful surprises.

Spirit surprises me like this and I am overflowing with joy and gratitude.  I could not have planned all the surprises of the day any better.  The timing was perfect with ease between events, with relaxation periodically, and at the end of the day everything relived with loved ones while Reggie stretched out against my leg loving me.  How very blessed I am to have such a loving little dog, family, friends, and Spirit.  Nancy and Reggie♥

As I was driving to Circle this morning, I listened to a song I haven’t heard in a couple of years, “Hold you in the Light” from Kit Holmes album “Return to Love“.  The words to the song are:

 

It’s in your eyes – The questions of the ages

There are challenges and changes – In everything you see

It’s hard to trust – And sometimes the best of us

Can lose our way – That’s why I’m here to say

          I’m gonna hold you in the light – Hold you in the light

          Hold you til you know again – That everything’s alright

          And I’ll remind you – As you are, you are enough

          I’m gonna hold you in the light – Of love

It’s in your hands – There are angels in the answer

Choose your second chances – This is where you’re meant to be

Don’t second guess – Life will give you all the happiness

That you deserve – Rest assured

I’m gonna ask you to remember – That you have everything you need

Every time you look into a mirror – ’cause no matter where life finds you

The light of love surrounds you – You’ll always have the only words 

You’ll ever need to hear

          I’m gonna hold you in the light – Hold you in the light

          Hold you til you know again – That everything’s alright

          And I’ll remind you – As you are, you are enough

          I’m gonna hold you in the light – Of love

 

Kit Holmes played this song at the church I was attending.  I listened to this song over and over as it brought me such comfort to know that I was being held in the Light of Love.  The verses mirrored the changes in my life.  My husband died.  I had profound grief.  I sold the home I was living in, and my son and his wife invited me to stay with them as long as I needed.  I looked for a home in a different area, found it, and moved.  I had health issues.  I had family issues.

 

Yet through it all I knew that I was held in the Light of Love, feeling my husband’s and Spirit’s presence as I made each decision, noticing how smooth things flowed as I started a new life in a new location with new friends and new spiritual connections.  It was a death inside me in many ways, a resurrection of myself in a different way, renewal of my life focus, and a knowing that something wonderful is happening every moment if I stay aware.

 

The first holiday my husband and I had was Easter, so it has special meaning for me that is religious, spiritual, and personal.  This Easter, Reggie and I give thanks that our lives have been, and are, held in the Light of Love always.   Nancy and Reggie♥