The forest’s heart beats loud under the hibernation of a winter’s cover. A foreshadowing of barometric proportions has foretold a late winter’s event which would encase all of mother-nature. Polar temperatures descend upon the wintery landscape and hold the dawn hostage as the sunrise attempts to spell the morning chill. White crystalline fields and snow-tipped cedars were tipped with confectionary perfection. Tracks of life left from the evening become visible and provide knowledge that the movement of life in the woods has direction and purpose. Linear paths move up and down the mountain, crossing other well-worn travels not unlike our busy lives. The warmth under the winter linens protects the spirit of each new season and the background cadence of the woods is the respiration of a sleeping giant.

To the hunter the coldest part of morning is the edge of dawn when the night releases its hold on the new day. It chills the body but not the soul. Adrenalin and optimism are his warmth and anticipation are the fuel of the hunter’s heart. Forgetting in the daily world the senses are reborn on the dawn. Like a maestro the sunrise brings and man and nature into harmony.

            Each morning I anticipate opening the window shade to a new dawn, the morning presents a spectacle difficult to describe. A soft, cotton-like layer of clouds lays stratified over the horizon. Having witnessed this autumn setting many times I can sense the forces unfolding. The sun, needing to occupy its rightful place touches the cotton clouds and expresses through the fibers of the morning. With prismatic accuracy the colors burst across the sky a kaleidoscope of brilliance witnessed by only the true believer of the dawn. Either by choice or necessity the meeting of the eyes on such a glorious event provides the soul with purpose. The sun emerges as if pulled by marionette strings above the crest of the hill, a welcome warmth to the visitor. One must forsake evening slumber to appreciate this scene for although repeated each day, this moment must be embraced as if the last. No one has reservation on this experience or life.

As a humble participant to this theater I choose to find solace in the dawn. My senses are heightened, sensitized to the smell of the damp, frosty morning, an aromatic combination of dying leaves, pine needles and withering fruits. The outline of a spider web cast the evening before is an engineering marvel yet to be duplicated, is highlighted by a frosty dew. The cold morning breeze strikes my cheek and form a ghostly cloud with each breath.

I am truly blessed for another day to relish in this natural wonder. As God has given me this gift once again I pass this along to others in hope they too may capture the true essence of being alive.

In the cathedral of hard woods the autumn turnover signals the settling leaves and once again the timeless travel to rest resumes upon mother earth. Rest signals the cycle to a new beginning. The decay of winter produces the bud in the spring. Cyclical season changes warm the heart and renew the soul. Endings are the new beginnings.

In the distance the smell of charred wood gains altitude from the valley floor as fall fills our soul and awakes our primitive connection with nature. A background cadence of the respiration of the forest holds audience in our ears for the forest is very much alive. All organic life prepares for winter’s rest when small crystalline messages from God’s usher will layer softly in timeless celebration.”

A walk upon the seashore is a walk with God. Every grain of sand supports who we are and where we are headed. Each grain reflects the multitude of thoughts and actions we experience. As the waves come and go, they rearrange the grains of sand, but they do not disappear. Our purpose is to remember that the thoughts we have in this life can rearrange our lives, but we are still who we were meant to be.

Like brush strokes made with angel wings, the gift of sunrise laid out in the eastern sky, a true panacea of color to excite the prisms in our eyes. Truly an experience given by God to prove his generosity to all creation. It is a selfless gift he gives us as a reminder that he is lovingly tolerant of us. Give thanks for the breath and sight we receive after each night’s slumber so we may relish in the gift of life!

On the pristine pages of a new day a polar express, graces the land with arctic wonder. Winds are lacking as the sunrise takes its rightful place in the eastern skies. As you step into this frozen moment you visualize what it is to feel alive. Your breath exists and your spirit suspends on the wind in small drops of moisture. While you traverse the tundra conditions your pulse quickens as does your step and only after you have retreated into your ambient conditions do you realize the invigoration in your travels. Be grateful for the conditions which remove us from our comfort zones and ignite our awareness that our senses are reborn on the dawn!

Glorious Reunion

Spirit wings glided into my dreams last evening. A great calm and serenity prevails and the vision appeared. This vision was familiar and of shallow breath.  Excitement filled the halo of my dream and I looked up to ask the spirits identity. In the glory of old he stated he walked the earth among good men and suffered as they do. While he walked on this earth, he asked for guidance himself and was pointed to a true heavenly direction. He then knew he would shed his earthly form and pain and that he was worthy to reside with all good spirits. Alongside him an even greater aura stood but remained silent. This spirit too was all too familiar and smiled an ancient smile of contentment and held this audience with stately presence.

                I knew at this moment that the figures were more real than imagined. The message that they carried was of peace and restful content. In the month which holds the memory of his passing, my brother Pat came to me with a resounding presence to assure he was living, living well and in the company of another great soul….my Dad!

They continue to hold the gates of the spirit world open to protect us and comfort us when we prepare to shed a tear in their memory.

Thank you spirit for the opportunity to channel and understand without fear the passing of loved ones for they have achieved a nirvana, a place to call home. Rejoice for them and for us for as we seek what they already have found!

Love ushers in on the wings of destiny and brings the promise of lives that are joined together. It is an eternal love forged in ancient times and repeated through the ages. So strong a bind that even though our lives have been many the love has remained one. The threads of this true love are held by the strength of the hearts which have shared a legacy of centuries. This love is fashioned on the immortality of the universe and continues like circular rhythmic spheres as one love bathed in grace. It is a love that pours from the heart and fills our souls and it is a love that holds the beauty of God. We have formulated a perpetual journey of love on angel wings and lightness is the air that carries our love. You are the queen in the kingdom of my heart”

I thank the dawn and the brilliance of a new day for the opportunity to be with you. The spirits in the universe saw fit to have you grace my presence and I do not know why I was chosen. I am humbled by your charm, your compassion and caring for others. The brilliance of a new day competes with your beauty and charm. The world comes alive when you open your eyes and provide the gift of your gracious heart and soul on the day. To witness your existence and the fervor you give to the gift of life I am truly amazed that I am witness to this every day. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the depth of my heart and soul. I know I am not perfect but because of you I strive to make you proud as I am of you!

With a watchful eye the crescent moon welcomes the newborn sunrise. A pure celebration of winged spirits opens the predawn curtains on the day. Community business echoes in the chattered conversations of black birds, grackles and terns. Each species presents a song passage describing their reason to be in this water meadow. Movements by soft breezes layer across the inboard tide, filling all the recesses of the land with the next moon phase moment. Even a chorus of feeding squirrels provides their crescendo from the neighboring marsh woodlands.Sunshine continues to be the spotlight that lights this stage and brings high emotion and gratefulness to occupy a front row seat in nature’s symphony. Each season we enter this outdoor music hall and give thanks for another selection from mother earth. The music scores are composed from nature and every note and chord travels on each silent whisper of wind. The harmonies bring true excitement and the only cost to attend is a seat taken in silence as the marsh comes alive!