I sat with an old friend last night.
I met her years ago in a small neighborhood book store outside Kansas City. I couldn’t help looking at her.
She is the kind of timeless beauty that never changes. As I stood in the quiet reverence of her presence, I asked her for a picture and she gracefully said yes.
I carried that picture with me all these years and each time I look at her picture, I am brought to tears. Tears of happiness. Tears of that same feeling when I first met her. Tonight I sat with her next to the fire. It was early in the morning, first light had yet to break over the horizon. I gazed into her radiance and felt the warmth of her love. Tonight, She reminded me of our first meeting and how her love had fashioned my life from that moment on.
I agreed that she had indeed brought me the peace and healing that I had needed and still need.
It has been nearly ten years since I first went to visit her home, she shared with me her favorite places, told me of her secrets and brought me into her sacred spaces. I was able to bathe in her healing waters and find a lasting peace. Those weeks passed by quickly and I finally had to leave her presence and return to my home. She gave me an invitation and a promise that I would be welcome to return when ever I was able. I bade here a reluctant farewell.
The next time I saw her was in Salt Lake City. It was 2009, thanksgiving was near and I had come to visit family.
I was sitting on the bed when I felt her enter the room. I was a bit confused because this time she brought a friend. He was a singer of songs and beloved by many who heard his voice. The two of them stood there, I was mesmerized by the spirit and energy that I felt. She introduced me to IZ. Tears streamed down my face and utter joy filled my heart.
They reminded me of my connection and She renewed her offer to come back to her home, to once again see her and be with her in her sacred spaces.
I told her it was my dream to live near her and my desire was to find a place where I might not have to work, I thought a caretaker position would be best.
She left with my promise.
It was the summer of 2010 when the plane landed. The warm humid air greeted me. I had been offered a job as a caretaker in the coffee growing region of Kona Hawaii. I was met at the plane by the owners of a small family coffee farm. They took me to my new Ohana and helped me to settle in. My new job entailed caring for the home and property, paying the gardener and the housekeeper and feeding the cat, Wooly Bear.
It was several days before I could visit her, there were details to look after before the owners could return to their mainland home in Santa Fe.
I dropped them off at the airport and bade them goodbye with a promise to look after their coffee farm. I headed out in the truck and drove over to her home. The beauty that surrounded her home is breath taking. Beautiful flowers grow wild all around. Frequent rains bathe the landscape in dewey droplets creating a magical presence.
Her Mana was palpable, I walked up to the large double doors leading into her home. A fire was burning in the fireplace, a large waiting room with pictures of her image hung on the walls. Behind a desk sat a pleasant woman waiting to greet us, we were informed that She was outside in her garden.
I was barely able to breathe, the air outside was filled with smoke and It hurt my lungs, but there she was, in all her glory.
I spent 7 months with her, she was constantly by my side. I told her of my dreams and she reminded me that she would always be close.
I wept when I had to leave.
My beautiful wife had cancer and choose to die at our home on the mainland.
Six years have passed and here I sit with her again.
She reminded me of my promise and her invitation.
I am overwhelmed by her presence.
I asked for her blessings and she acknowledged my request.
I made a cup of coffee to remind me of my first visit to her home. I can still smell the sweet scent of coffee blossoms, the coffee trees are swaying in the breeze letting me know of their love. I imagine myself lying in the hammock with the sound of the ocean rushing up to greet me, the sound of doves are singing in my ears. Tears are falling gently from my eyes as I take it all in.
Thank you, thank you for reminding me of your love. I haven’t forgotten your invitation.
Soon … so very soon.
