Rochambeau

Little White Feather

Celebrating Dia de Bloglandia, with ~ Stephanie and Rebecca~

I do believe in wondrous and symbolic occurrences.  They happen all around us, everyday, if we only have the eyes to see!

An offering in memory of my father,     Joe Muller. 

~*~

On the night following the surreal day my father died, something unusual happened as I tried to fall asleep.  

 Beams of bright light illuminated into our bedroom, so I ran to the window mystified.  Peering out, I was privy to behold an impossibly big moon, casting beams of light through swaying trees and hitting me.  I stood erect and felt chills go down my back and heard a bird cry three times "Caw, caw, caw"!!  I said to myself "Dad, is this you"?  "Are you trying to tell me something"?

 As it turned out, in a special way, he was.  Since that night, I began a journey of piecing together a patchwork of recollections.  A quilt of evolving memories about my father, but all things relating to Trees, the Moon and Birds.  

Because symbolism has always been important to me,  I wondered if this was my fathers unique way of comforting me and giving me a special gift, that only I could fully understand and appreciate.  

~*~

Here is an example:

Exactly one year before my father died, to the day, something memorable occurred.

We lived in the sage-brushed mountains of Santa Clarita, California where it was pretty in a unusual, desert type of way.  My husband would get up extremely early to drive to work, so I woke up with him and then would wait for the sun to rise and begin my day with a walk up and down a nearby mountain, where a subdivision was being developed.

~*~

 On the morning of June 11, 1999, the sky was still the color of ink and the Moon still hung in sky, but for some reason, I made an unusual decision to start my walk early.  And, I do remember feeling a bit uneasy leaving in the dark, so I removed my walkman to become more aware.

As I started to walk, the darkness disappeared into a spectacular blue dawn and as I reached the top of the mountain, discovered the most glorious sight imaginable!  

The vista was pristine and lovely and I cherished it especially because soon, it was destined to become dotted with tract homes.  The natural beauty of the moment was astonishing and the grandeur hit me in a profound way.  I was mesmerized and became still, witnessing the magic hour of light.  Trees stood illuminated in the distance, against a backdrop of a fading indigo sky and it was still possible to make out the full moon, disappearing in front of my very eyes.  I stood breathless with chills up and down my spine.  The wondrous beauty, feeding and filling my soul. It was as if I had become one with my surroundings and remember thinking; "I wish someone else could have witnessed this exquisite experience with me" and just then, at that exact moment....

a tiny white feather floated down from the sky, right in front of me and I caught it before it hit the ground!!  What a curious thing to happen!?  I pondered the experience as I walked back home, then immediately accounted for this unforgettable morning in a journal.  

~*~

Many uncanny and amazing things have  happened since my fathers death, that revolve around Trees, the Moon and Birds.  

An abundance of amazing little gifts, ones that I cherish because they have delighted and comforted me in my time of need.  Also,  this connection has given me hope for everlasting life and most importantly allowed me feel connected with my father in a unique way!  I can tell you more, another time.

One day, I too will know 

 "The Secret"  

We all will!

  

Yes!! I do believe in wondrous and symbolic occurrences.  They happen all around us everyday, if we only have the eyes to see!  

~*~

Love,

Constance

 

To visit more ofrendas, journey to Rebecca's or Steph's! 

For Marshall

For Marshall, who will undergo an operation to remove a tumor from his brain, today.  A prayer for God's light and perfect healing!

Update:

Marshall has made it through the surgery and is has already spoken.  Today, Saturday July 9th, he is home!!

Thanks for your good thoughts!

xox

Constance

Christina's Kindness

Change the World One Act of Kindness at a Time

  A Happy Birthday Salute to Christina of Soul Aperture!!   This Simple Things post is dedicated to her, a woman who knows what the word kindness means.

~~~~~~~

~~~~~

~~

 One of the simplest and best things we have to offer one another, is kindness~ 

 It comes in many colors~ 

Kindness is a practice,

An Art Form...

A gift which originates in the heart

~

One of the easiest acts of kindness, is to acknowledge a stranger with a smile.  You might be surprised to find out that you:

Gave hope or changed a life

Forever~

A smile cost's a person nothing!

~

Kindness blesses the receiver

and the giver~

~

Kindness will protect your aura

and keep your heart healthy~

~

 It is an extraordinary power,

Kindness

~

When you visit Soul Aperture,  you will feel her kindness from a million miles away. Thank you Christina for who you have chosen to become...... And

~~~~~

Happy Early Birthday, Friend!

Love,

Constance

Happy Wedding

It was an unseasonably cool, Spring evening.  The birds were chirping and a butterfly even landed on the brides arm during the vows.  I've known the groom all of his life.  He was adopted and I vividly remember how exciting it was, the day he came into his parents lives!  It can still make me tear up to remember how much he was wanted and how much he is loved.  And now to witness this marriage ceremony where you feel the couple is right for one another, what a happy occasion.  It seems everyone felt happy last Saturday at the Farmhouse in Princeton, Texas.   The bride teaches High School Chemistry.  At the end of the ceremony the choir from her school surprised everyone.  They stood in the back, facing the wedding party all dressed in black and white and sang the Beatles song "All you Need is Love" as their gift to her and her new  husband.   How beautiful it was.  Then ( All together now) we too joined in and sang Love, Love, Love, all you need is Love!

Our Renee

In memory of Our dear Renee

a light of the world

She was strong, honest, humorous, open and most importantly, extremely loving.

~~*~~

You will be greatly missed dear friend!

May you be at Peace~

Love,

Constance

(above image by Diana Evans, To read Renee's posts or leave a comment for her family please go here)

Prayers for Ricardo

Ricardo is the brother of a dear woman and blogger friend, Isabel. He is in a coma and on life support after a serious car accident, that has left him with a serious brain injury and many fractures.  Isabel and I believe in the power of prayer and positive collective thought.  Thank you for yours!

Love,

Constance

A Prayer for Renee

Our dear Renee, of Circling My Head 

needs our prayers!

Thank you for offering yours~

Love,

Constance

Girl Power !

Shedding some Light!

Thank you very much!

 

A Shout Out To:

Girl Gone Thread Wild Power!/ Monica Magness ~

For having a vision and busting loose!

Art Tea Life Power!/ Sandy Gordan ~

For catching Monica's torch and writing an article ~

To all the Artists who created work ~

& Especially to  Somerset Studio !

For having the power to spread the word!

 

In 2003, I learned about the murders of the young woman of Juarez, Mexico on NPR, here.   Since then, women have continued to be abused, murdered and abandoned in the dessert. As a male dominated culture, this has become an acceptable practice.  Recently Monica Magness  put a call out to artists in Blog Land, to submit work to Somerset Studio, in hopes that they would publish an article to help bring attention to this horrible situation and they DID!

Monica's inventive actions show that one voice, can impact many.  That it never hurts to try!

To learn more about the Woman of Juarez or how you can help, go here.

To see all artworks go here.

Thank you for learning more, for caring.  May all of our good thoughts reach out to create one BIG difference! 

xox

Constance

Mahalia Jackson Lives On!

 Queen of Gospel

Mahalia Jackson was born in New Orleans, La. in 1911 and died in Evergreen Park, Illinois in 1972.  She was an influential Gospel Singer who had a powerful & distinct voice and is still known as the "Queen of Gospel"!

I saw the musical Mahalia! last Saturday night, a gift from my mom.  It was presented by the Opera House Theatre Players in Jefferson, Texas and what a performance it was! 

 

The story chronicles the singers life.  A musical performed astonishingly, by a mere three actors.  Denice Wilson did an excellent job "channeling" Mahalia, while Trini Green and Karen Raines acted multiple parts and were amazing too!

Mahalia Jackson was a inspirational force during the civil rights movement, believing we are ALL God's children.  She believed that violence is never the answer.  She believed in the power of good and the power of God.  Many times I teared up during the performance, as I could feel the spirit of love though the music.  

As a child my father taught me to play many songs on my guitar.  A few were: We Shall Overcome and the Down By the River Side, songs made famous by Mahalia Jackson.  During the musical the other night,  I learned for the first time what these powerful words meant in the context of the Civil Rights Movement.   It made me think about how my dad wanted me to know these songs and I love him even more his beliefs.

   

It is moving, the courage of Mahalia Jackson!  A tremendous example and testament of how just one person can have the power to change history and  make things better for many people.

Deep in my heart.  I do believe, that we shall overcome someday!
Universal words, as we ALL journey to find a way to rise up & overcome personal adversity! 

(Lyrics to We Shall Overcome by Charles Tindley, a preacher who's father was a slave).

Mary in My Heart

~ Mary~

 Mary Cooper was the answer to my prayer.   She reached out to me soon after we moved to from California to the East Coast.   We met at an SPCA Thrift Shop in Eatontown, New Jersey.  As our friendship grew, we went on expiditions together,  where she showed me all the cool places in our area and educated me on the local history of the Jersey Shore.  Most of our adventures revolved around "Thrifting".

She was a smart and creative soul who adored her husband, family, cats, reading, flowers and her secret garden.  She found pleasure in the smallest things and would smile with delight!

She never complained, yet suffered greatly from the pain and complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis and breathing difficulties. Mary taught me what it means to be brave and to have dignity.

My friend lost & found herself, through making art.   She was humble about her accomplishments, selling much of the work that she created.  There is just something very special about Mary's  soulful style.

If I had a question about anything and I mean ANYTHING, Mary would know the answer. 

She studied Anthropology in school and loved discovering history about people and their past, through stuff.  She taught me how to look at things and people, with a new set of Anthropological eye.

She had a big heart, standing up for people and animals, that have no voice.  She could win any battle, because of her intelligence. 

~~*~~

She loved her Irish grandmother and was inspired to create art using the sayings she remembered her using. 

Her favorite lunch was Peanut Butter and Jelly.

She created a colorful, vibrant and enchanted bungalow for her husband Tim and their cats.

~~*~~

She was feminine, yet still the kind of woman men could relate to.  There will never be another person like her.

Whenever I miss Mary, I imagine her in a garden with Emily, her cat near by.  She is seated across from her grandmother, smiling and saying " I'm an STILL here Constance"!!

Love you Mary!

Dear Friends, I will be by your blog on Wednesday.  Sorry for the delay!

xox

Constance

To visit all the Dia de Bloglania tributes please follow bright trail to:

Stephnie's or Susanna's