FACE TIME WITH NATURE

After all the heavy rains and high winds, I was desperate for some "face time" with nature, so I went for an early morning walk on the Western Waterfront Trail, which runs in front of my home.  It was magnificent! I saw 2 young muskrats, and they are truly "river rats," and "our" great blue heron stalking the waters.  But what was so fabulous was the creek, full of rushing and tumbling water, carving its way over boulders and trees, and how I felt standing there.  I stood on the bridge and experienced it.

Rushing creek waters

fill me with their mighty power

and merge into JOY!  

SWEET HELPING HANDS

Earlier this week I went for a lovely 1 1/2  hour hike in the very wet woods and trails close to my house with my daughter.  The wild flowers and honeysuckles were in abundance, and it was all so green.  This time we went up the trail, which required going up and down rocks and muddy slopes.  At the top, we overlooked the part of the city I live in and saw where I live and the beautiful winding St. Louis river.

I was very grateful for the helping hand my daughter gave me at times when I did not feel confident I and my knees could safely negotiate the climb up or the slope down.  I realize I have come to a very sweet place of allowing others to come to my aid.  This is something I would never have done in the past--you know, "I'll do it myself!!!"  I also realize I receive the gift of loving care, and I give them the gift of being able to give me a gift.  How sweet is that?  

BIRTHDAYS ARE A BIG DEAL!

Birthdays are a big deal, or maybe I'm reverting to my childhood, when every birthday was an exciting and long-awaited event.  I'm the only one I know to announce my own birthday at church--and to announce my age.  This year I celebrated my 76th birthday, grateful to be here to celebrate, and very grateful to be healthy and happy and able to celebrate it.  As I said, it's a big deal.

This year my birthday landed on the day I go to my yoga class (Tuesdays at 9:30 am at Yoga North with Sara Duke as the teacher).  I always like to celebrate my birthday at yoga by sharing some little treat at the end of class.  This year it was dark chocolate with dried cherries--very yummy.  Sara was on vacation and Molly subbed for her, which was nice.  I was filled with gratefulness for the class and for all that yoga has done for my body, mind and spirit.  I would not be able to enjoy and participate so fully in my life if yoga weren't such an integral part of my life.  My body would definitely be more stiff and sore and inflexible.  Although I have fairly severe arthritis and degeneration and torn this and that, yoga helps me to physically enter into my life.

My pranayama (breath) and meditation practices seep into my daily life and even out the rough places while giving me tools to use in these rough places.  I am grateful.

Each year brings loss and change in my body.  Each year I face reality with more ease.  Each year brings more acceptance and surrender.  Each year brings the possibility of more and more joy.

BIRTHDAYS ARE A BIG DEAL!

Aging: Surrendering

Surrendering

She stands open,

arms flung wide, flowers and toads

let go and drop off.

In each step she drops

the detritus of her life

till she's clear as glass.  


Catharine Larsen, 2007 at Transformational Dance Retreat