A forced time-out

When we drove up to the Village from Palo Alto on Wednesday, I was actually congratulating myself on how well I felt. Neither of us were feeling super tired, so I figured a couple nights with melatonin to establish the sleep schedule and I’d be home free.

Instead, my chest started feeling tight on Wednesday night. By Thursday I was dealing with a serious cough and Friday saw the addition of congestion.

I had to sleep sitting up because the wheezing and coughing got worse when I laid down in bed. I did steam treatments, essential oils, tea with honey, and sun baths. If I sat still I would fall asleep.

But bit by bit I’m turning the corner. I even left the house today for the first time since we got back from Europe.

But between being sick and events being cancelled due to COVID, I haven’t connected with a single friend since getting home.

It’s very, very strange.

So, what occurred to me during my time in the sun this afternoon is that Divine Mother has put me into a forced time out. I mean, we were constantly on the go in Lugano — fun, but also exhausting. And we were constantly on the go before we flew to Lugano — also fun and productive, but exhausting.

But now? Three days (tomorrow will be the fourth) of no events, no meetings, no nothin’.

And what’s the lesson? I guess it has to do with not going, going, going until the only way you’ll get a break is by getting sick.

If it’s not one thing…

Or an alternate title for today’s blog post could have been: “Really, Divine Mother?!?”

As in, “Did I really need to break a tooth while taking my third bite of dinner tonight?”

And not just any tooth; a molar on the bottom right side of my mouth, when I’ve been avoiding chewing on the left side because of being halfway through the process of getting an implant.

Yep, thanks to another recently broken tooth, there’s no chewing surface on that side. 🤦‍♀️

Ah well, instead of another couple of days just staying in, seems I’ll (hopefully) be heading into town to get this dealt with.

Gosh, I love dealing with the material plane. (NOT!)

A blessed homecoming

A number of beautiful flower offerings greeted us when we arrived home today.

Most were bouquets from friends, but Divine Mother welcomed us with flowers as well — we had never seen such an abundance of roses on the somewhat neglected bushes next to our yard!

The photo below doesn’t come close to doing them justice!

Thinking of my friend

My dear friend, Nandadevi, is in my thoughts and prayers tonight. Her heart has been acting a little funny, so she’s getting it checked out.

I saved this photo and quote quite some time ago — like, at least a couple of years!

Now feels like the perfect moment to share it, while holding the vision of her standing calmly in the light and love of Divine Mother.

Feeling the love

Something is shifting, and it feels like I’m more open to Divine Mother’s love than ever before.

What a wonderful sensation to be experiencing on today of all days.

So, heartfelt wishes to you for a Happy Valentine’s Day!

A precious gift

This small but powerful card is one of my favorite Christmas gifts this year.

It was tucked inside a Christmas greeting card. When it fell out into my hands I did a double-take and then tears filled my eyes.

It’s a phrase that is particularly meaningful for those who follow my particular spiritual path. And the reason I found it to be so moving is that I’ve been rebuilding my meditation practice this winter after a frustratingly long dry spell.

It’s almost as if Divine Mother sent me this beautiful little card as her way of reassuring me and encouraging my efforts.

Channeling Divine Mother’s love

I’m feeling warm and fuzzy after receiving this latest outpouring of loving support.

And the timing was perfect, as we make peace with the longer rhythms required by this cancer journey.

I’m so grateful for dear friends who act as channels for Divine Mother’s love. 🙏

Sending love to Gardenia

From GoFundMe account: “Photo of Gardenia pre-accident and shining bright. Hold this image of her vibrant and healed.”

Talk about duality.

Yesterday I shared a photo of a beautiful little girl blissfully embracing Divine Mother in the form of a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Today a friend shared the GoFundMe link of a little girl who suffered serious burns after catching fire while standing too close to a propane heater.

I don’t know the little girl, Gardenia, or her family, although they live in our general area.

What I do know is how overwhelming it felt getting the cancer diagnosis and navigating all the details of treatment and finances, and becoming familiar with the realities of the medical system and its lingo.

And that was with me feeling well, Ramesha having flexibility in his schedule to accompany me to virtually every appointment, and the tremendous support of our worldwide community.

I cannot begin to imagine how this family is coping, with Gardenia undergoing constant surgeries and intense medical care, while they have two other small children to care for at home, and with all the driving back and forth they’ll have to do for months and years.

Not to mention the trauma this little girl has gone, and is going, through. It breaks my heart.

I realize there are so many people suffering in the world right now, but Gardenia has been brought to my attention and I feel compelled to do what I can to help. So, I’m sharing her story.

If you feel to donate, great. If you feel to share, perfect. If you feel to pray for Gardenia and her family, wonderful.

There’s even the option of checking out their Amazon Wishlist of various foods, medicines and other forms of nourishment and comfort.

Most important of all, let’s channel Divine Mother’s love to Gardenia.

Feeling the love of Divine Mother

Today a friend shared this photo, taken during Springtime at Ananda in Crystal Hermitage Gardens.

I found it so completely precious that I had to share it here.

But really, the picture says it all. I have nothing to add.

Perfect divine order

I love when Divine Mother puts me in just the right spot at just the right time, allowing me to know beyond all doubt that God is in charge.

Today it happened as I had finished running a few errands in the mailroom and was walking back to my car.

I heard my name and turned around to see a dear friend from Los Angeles getting out of her car to greet me. I knew she was coming for a visit but thought I might not see her because we’re going out of town tomorrow.

But there she was and we were able to have a short but deep time of connection.

And then it got even better!

We were literally the only two people at the (closed) Market, where she had stopped in hopes of getting directions to the home of the friend at whose home she was staying. So I was able to have her follow me to the location (which would have been way confusing to try and describe in words).

So, yeah. It’s wonderful to be reminded that all really is in perfect divine order. We just have to do our best to stay tuned in to that flow and let it guide us.