Beginnings…….
It is probably a bit late at this point to talk about beginnings, but I’ve been spending some time reflecting on what it is exactly that I want to have on this log. What was my intention? How did this come about? The creation of this place happened by sheer coincidence, (if you believe in such a thing), and you may have read a previous post where I thanked the people, (angels), that made it possible. Really, it was a sudden influx of heartfelt voices that set the wheels of this log in motion, and here I sit, reflecting…
Walking in a warm Autumn evening with the season’s leaves gently swirling in the breeze at my feet, I think about how happy I am to be alive and how remarkable it is that I am in a place of contentment with the world. My young daughter is by my side and all is well. We talk about spirit and prayer and even though she is but four years old, deep down inside of me I know she “gets it”. I feel blessed to be able to show her the way and it brings me great joy to see her thrive in the sharing of these moments.
“Mom! Here are some special wishing leaves. Let’s make a wish!” she exclaims with true conviction, and hands me half her handful excitedly. Holding the other half of leaves over her head, she whispers to the wind her heart’s desires and lets them go with a smile that knows “it worked”.
“Your turn Mom”, she tells me, and I happily see no alternative but to follow suit. Laughing together we hug afterwards and decide to lay down on a patch of neighbor’s lawn to look up at the stars in the sky and say whatever is on our minds. ‘This is why I am here today’, I think to myself, and at this point in time I see how life is perfect and how I am living my own heart’s desire. This, I think, is very much what I want to say on this log.
What I try not to do is pass down the pain or the can’ts, the less thans, the hopelessness, or the never enoughs. I don’t willingly give life to the very things I struggled to overcome, nor consciously present them as gifts. Some of these are obvious and some aren’t and so I try to remain attentive to my actions on a daily basis. Do I slack off or fall behind? Yes. But my commitment to myself, others and life, picks me up again, dusts me off and the end result is that my world just keeps getting better.
Today is my niece’s birthday. She shares this day with John Lennon and there is a peacefulness in the air. She is fifteen years old — the same age as I was when I first met John Holmes. Unlike me at that age, she is having a slumber party, eating pizza, practicing her dance moves and doing hair. How happy I am for her, how truly happy.
What is this place? Somewhere to share expressions, pasts, pains, loves, loses, triumphs, spirit, healing and freedom. Here is a place, a home, for my friends and family, met and as yet unmet.
What is this place? Humm. Let’s see… A vision. A small point of light in space, (cyberspace), where colors, born of darkness and light, cast out into infinity the warm promises of hope. A grand scale idea indeed… A grand scale idea…
Blessings,
Dawn
October 9th, 2004 at 4:16 pm
Bravo, you made this magical fall night with your daughter very real to me. Life may have been very difficult for you, but out of ashes has arisen a strong (as in strength of chararacter) woman. Dawn, you know your abilities, talents, and your skills. You know what makes life worthwhile. I applaud you and please continue writing from your heart. The world needs to hear you.
October 9th, 2004 at 4:33 pm
Great post, Dawn. You offered your readers a view of your world in a heartfelt and spontaneous way. Those moments of complete perfection are not always seen or felt, let alone expressed, even though they skirt the edge of what we think of as real and wait for that one moment of discovery. Beautiful is the word that comes into my mind that describes what you wrote. You “showed” what beauty looks, feels, and sounds like rather than trying to tell your readers what beauty is. This is a sign of a good writer, one who can give their readers an opportunity to have an experience without getting in their way by telling them what they should feel and think about an event and/or story. Showing the experience and allowing your reader to join you as it unfolds gives them a experiential peek into your world, whether it be today, yesterday, or tomorrows world.
Very well written. If this short piece is any indication of the writing style in your book, I can’t wait to read it.
October 10th, 2004 at 11:30 am
That was beautiful, I actually felt like I was there with you. You are a true inspiration and a wonderful person. Thank You for all your encouraging words and your strength. God Bless
October 12th, 2004 at 6:43 am
what beautiful prose! it’s true! I agree! I could smell the fallen leaves and feel the autumn chill in the air.
November 16th, 2005 at 2:13 pm
Dawn,
As a writer and person with a heartfelt connection with you, I want you to know that you are a beautiful person and what you are doing is well worth the effort. Continue to be a blessing to us all.
Dawn “Rysque” McGhee