A Continuation of Reflections

               May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon. Hello John I found this line in a poem by John O'Donohue It made me stop and think - reflection is good for the soul - I was able to feel a sense of gratitude because I am getting encouragement for so many sources. My family, Andrew, Lucy, Philip ,Sandra ,Jackie, Marie, Matthew, Wendy, Rebekka Matthew Julie Aoife - my cousins on facebook in far flung parts of the world- friends Susan- Patsy Kev- Anita Philip-Brian ,Celia, Sue ,Margaret, Beth ,Maz- my Artist's way group- Maz, Manuella, Rachel, Sarah,, Steph, Donna, Marie. John's Children- Penny, David, Lara ,Johnny, Ellie - our Lightbody family in Scotland- Robert especially- Jenny-  David- the others cousins I see on facebook who send me little messages- many friends in Co Clare who send emails and facebook messages. I get encouragement from poems, books, radio ,films, a line here and there can be prof...

“May you awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses. May yo u receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon. May you respond to the call of your gift and find the courage to follow its path. May the flame of anger free you from falsity. May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and may anxiety never linger about you. May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul. May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention. May you be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul. May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.” words by John O'Donohue  

Dear John a little girl ran after me in the park yesterday -she gave me a daffodil head that she had picked- I thanked her very much she ran away- then a few minutes later she came back with another one- her name is Jessica and she is three years old- she lifted my spirits. I mentioned it on face book and Lizzie Wainright said maybe they we from you- you picked her to give me the flowers.....somehow that made me sad when I looked at the flowers. I had a really hard weekend- well Friday was lovely I had dinner with Andrew and Lucy at The Quarter- I was so determined to enjoy that evening as I had had such a bad few days before- both Penny and I are very sad- as I promised you I am keeping in touch with her- with all of them. Andrew and Lucy are off in France now snowboarding- they have such a nice life - I am so happy for them. We are lucky John all our children and partners are good genuine kind loving people-heaven knows what we did to deserve them all. I am sad about Philip...

Born with a Pyrenean name the Japanese for Pliedes She went gathering wood to heat the debtors prison Where her parents lived. And met an angel Generously she lay on the bonedry dust Drew forth a healing spring said " Mother" moved to love at last she never once said in all the years What if it is not true John Villeneuve sur Lot  April 2005

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.  But the most important thing is, even if we're apart, i'll always be with you"   Those we love don't go away. They walk beside us every day... Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed, and very dear. I'll miss you... Share

we citizens of heaven are but pilgrims here I am a piece of paper A blank sheet. Write on me the name of your god. Mark me,fill me with words I am a pillar of the temple, The roof balances on my head, My feet buried in the earth. My limbs carved with vines and fruits The faces of creatures Peer between the leaves. I call the builder, "Master! Honour your work. Chisel your name and date Mark me as a place in time. I stand Testament, Monument." I am a sheaf of papers A book of poems: A multitude of words. I am the voice of prophets I speak fire and song. I call the soul to grow ears. I am the wind that blows Between the pillars: The breath between words spoken. I am a piece of paper, A blank sheet Not the poet but the written -upon I am the word That will go no more unspoken. A pillar of the temple. A place Where mysteries are revealed 3rd December 2014

Hi John I am home now after a lovely weekend in Glasgow and Kilmarnock. The taxi driver who took me to Lime Street said " it is not often that I see you without "him" " I had to tell him that you died in December-- I was of course upset-- he was lovely- remembers taking us to Fact and Leaf and taking you to Daffodil Club at Marie Curie..he told me his girlfriends nan is there now--we talked about how good they are....when we got out at Lime Street...he gave me a hug and told me to donate the fare to Marie Curie.I was so touched by him and his generosity. Sandra and I went to Lamb hill on Friday morning- and took flowers to mum's grave- at least the place where mums ashes are interred and a few of dad's ashes are scattered- it was a lovely moment-we took out the Christmas flowers out-and put 18 yellow tulips in - the sun was shinning and the birds were singing- and we had a few moments silence - thinking about the two of them. Sandra and I then went...

HI John I feel a bit calmer to-day I really have been down a very big hole...thank goodness for time passing. I had a lovely long chat with Penny and we shared our sorrow and had a few laughs too. I am looking forward to seeing her and Johnny on April 11 they are coming to take some your papers and clothes which is a good thing- I have kept a few things which have meaning for me- I hardly need reminders of you my love- for the children this is their heritage and your grand-children's heritage too. John seems to want to keep all your clothes....maybe in time he will let them go. We will all go out to lunch together that day..and have a catch up- I am looking forward to it as it makes me feel close to you being with them That is the weekend that Philip is coming over- he will have given up his flat by then and will stay here for a few days before he flies off to Castalla where he will stay with his dad for a week- then he goes to Barcelona to fly off to China. I am happy f...

Dear John I am so so sad- I miss you so much- I miss your humour- your knowledge your feedback about my work - going out for a coffee- watching a movie together- planning holidays- cooking together- getting ready for dinner parties- hearing how you got on in London telling you about my trips to Glasgow - telling you the family news- gossip even...you loved a wee bit of gossip. I miss seeing you coming along the road with your bunnet and walking stick and your yellow jacket..with the shopping trolly. I miss you doing the shopping and the cooking. I feel desperately sad when I think of you coming to terms with getting old having cancer knowing time was running out for you- how dignified you were-sad and dignified. I cant stand the memory of you asking me if you could come home again- and me getting Dr Dan and him saying - not yet we will keep an eye on your progress- maybe in time if things change- they never wanted to take hope away. Then you saying one day- you realised that wo...

Dear John I am so sad to - day I really miss you and can't understand why you can't come back now---madness I know but it is what I am thinking. I have been keeping busy this week I started a Lent Reflection Group -with the Artist's way group--a wee test to see if I can do it..I feel pleased with myself- I stayed in role- no getting into my stuff my feelings- stayed focused on the group. I also started doing a supervision session with B it is only once a moth supervision and once again - i did well- so this week for the first time since October I earned some money which feels good. Andrew has been helping me with some forms - connected with possibly getting some help with the funeral costs- everyone says it is worth a try I might be entitled to some help- no harm done if not - so we finished the forms this week- no tears this time- last time Andrew came round we did not even get to the forms- I was to upset missing you my love.This time we got it done- he mended my pr...