bee happy * bee well * bee positive

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Mid-week Mandala

     We all have a do-it-yourself streak in us somewhere. This little book combines that spirit with mandala, in a pleasant way to pass some contemplative time...or just get in touch with that 4 year old inside. 😃 Expressing yourself creatively sooths the soul, expands and opens us to our greater selves and is rewarding. You can find a number of these types of books on line very inexpensively. I'll share some of my "creations " soon.
          blissings, amberspiral


Sunday, May 11, 2014

Amber


      Amber is ancient tree sap that has turned to stone. It facilitates manifestation by strengthening intentions and adding flexibility like a tree in the wind. Filled with the energy of the trees life force it has a grounding and stabilizing effect, opening us up to unconditional love. Traditionally a healing gem, Amber is a beautiful stone with a gentle golden glow, that makes it perfect to wear or meditate with.
      When I chose my Mother name, I chose Amber because like the gem I had changed into something new while my essence was unchanged. Elektron is the Greek word for amber and the root word for electrons which circle the nuculeous of an atom as I was circling my Kiddo. It took a couple of years to realize that I wanted a new name, the maiden was gone. I had loved trees and rocks my whole life and as a caregiver Amber resonated with me.
        Now as age and empty nest herald the crone years, I am Amberspiral. I'll always be a mother so I've kept Amber. Spiral has to do with the journey. As we age many of the passages of life are behind us. We see with eyes that remember and connect dots that were just specks on the horizon before. If I went back and told myself what I realize now, I wouldn't have understood. I'm so grateful to have come this far in my journey and I'm looking forward to the adventures awaiting me. Maiden, Mother and Crone, the triple Goddess...I didn't set out to travel that road, but as a woman it just turned out that way and I couldn't be happier.
        Happy Mother's Day and blissings, amberspiral 
        


Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Grief, by any other name...


      I haven't felt like blogging much lately, some big changes in my life have left me wordless.  A while back I wrote about empty nest, suggesting that it was a normal transition and I would use the free time to "stop and smell the roses."  I was so wrong about that! 
      No-one told me that empty nest is forever, that it would cause an hollow that cannot be filled or that when my father died after the holidays the combination of the two would put me in a world of hurt. 
      Parents spend 15-20 plus years caring for their Kiddos. It's a long term relationship. Then one day it abruptly ends. Maybe they go off to college, learn to drive or find a special friend, each Kiddo is different. The result is the same, however, they fly away and everything has changed. It is normal, so I convinced myself: it's ok. Actually it wasn't ok, it was confusing.
       I wasn't sure if it was ok to call, text, ask questions, make plans, offer advice or any assistance. As a single Mom, I had no other "roomie" to hang out with except the cat. ( just send me the crazy cat lady starter kit now please-thanks).  I realized that when I flew the nest at 19, I never looked back...it never even occurred to me, now it was as plain as day. Did my parents feel like this when I left?
       Then my Dad passed away. He'd been ill with dementia, but his physical health was good, so it was a surprise. The Kiddo was out of town with friends. I was alone for several days before a whirlwind trip for the funeral and then back to the empty nest. The grief overwhelmed me, I couldn't stop crying, but only privately.
      Both situations are "normal transitions of adult life", but I wasn't transitioning well. I cried privately because I felt guilty about my grief. Most people were sympathetic about my Dad, but took the empty nest lightly. The reality was, Dad had been "gone" for some time, the Kiddo for just a couple of months. The roses smelled cloyingly of funerals and crayons.
      I have a life aside from being a mother. I work, write, create intentional jewelry and have other interests as well. Still the vacuum of empty nest took my breath away, while Dad became his old self in my memories, in a way I missed him less. I knew both of these days were coming, but nothing prepared me for them, for the intensity of my feelings.
      Since then, I've been working on healing...meditation, mantra, nature (thank you spring), subliminal mp3s and prayers for the best for everyone- the only thing I actually pray for. I restarted a modified yoga program. Those things help, but it's taken months and I have to accept the disparity in my grief. I'm crying less, but I still never know when the tears will come.
        I understood losing my parents would be forever and luckily my mother is a spry 80+, but the empty nest...well that Was the goal, I just didn't realize it would hurt so much or be so final. Would I do it again? Sure, but I can only wish now that I'd had a realistic "heads up" long ago.
        blissings to you and yours,  amberspiral