Synchronicity, Saint Barbara & a Blossoming Friendship

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Synchronicity is such a gift. Though I know not everyone realizes when it happens, as it is something you have to open yourself to – to be open for those moments that come when you know there is something larger at work.

Today I met with my friend, Marie again for tea. Our friendship is beginning to blossom into such a beautiful thing. She was always the mysterious older woman who lived in the big white house on the corner. I’ve written about her before here on my blog.

She is very artistic and you can tell when you meet her as she has this flare about her. It is part of what was so mysterious to me. I wanted to know more about her.

Through a series of events that have happened over the past two years, we decided to meet for coffee and tea at a local cafe this summer. That has led to us meeting twice more since then.

Today was one of those mornings we met. She was eager to hear about my SoulCollage (R) Facilitator training I recently completed.

Before we got deep into conversation she gave me a small square package. She told me it was something she had at her house that she forgot about until she came across it recently. She knew I had to have it.

When I unwrapped the paper, inside I found a vintage ornament of St. Barbara. I got goosebumps!  Marie told me she researched information about St. Barbara but nothing was feeling right at first with what she wanted to share with me. And then she found it! A line from a Spanish play in 1936 that says: “Your story is written in the sky with paper and holy water.”

I was so very touched.

I said, “Well, wait until you hear this. I can’t even believe you just gave me this St. Barbara ornament, as I’d never even known there was a St. Barbara until I went to my SoulCollage (R) training.”

As I shared in a previous post about this also, I told Marie how out of 22 women at the SoulCollage (R) training, four of us were Barbara’s. And it was interesting how when we sat in a circle that first night in the training, a Barbara anchored each quarter of the circle.

At breakfast Saturday morning, the Barbara’s magically found there way to one of the tables, taking up one corner. Audrey, our trainer, took note and got goosebumps when she said it made her think of St. Barbara.  Until then I didn’t even know there was a St. Barbara.

As I sat with my friend Marie today and thought about the synchronicity of all of this, my heart filled with gratefulness of all the welcome signs around us that are proof of a bigger plan in the works.

Time with Marie the last few times has been such a gift for me. She is a woman who knows what she wants for her life. Very artistic and going after doing more of her art, we are hoping to collaborate in a few ways down the road — or at the very least, will be supporting each other as we embark on some artistic paths. I’m so grateful for our blossoming friendship.

When I got home today I had to find just the right spot to hang my St. Barbara ornament.

Each morning before yoga I’ve been starting my day lately by picking an animal wisdom tarot card, angel card, Archangel Michael card, Grace card, and also one of my SoulCollage (R) cards. They are a way in which to center myself and ask for guidance for my day or whatever it is I’m feeling challenged with.

As I entered my writing cottage when I returned home today, seeing the cards lying on the table I had picked this morning, I knew just where my St. Barbara ornament should go.

How lovely it is to see it overlooking my cards. Another beautiful blessing to start my days… and a sweet reminder of my new and evolving friendship with Marie.

New Beginnings. More Time Alone.

10383947_10154383231150607_2098441628179649764_nSo many new beginnings have occurred lately. Along with beginnings, this is oftentimes accompanied by endings, which aren’t always easy.

For years, John had a crew of three working for him in his construction business. Last year we lost two of our employee’s.  One ready to move into another line of work and the other left to work for another contractor. Both had been with us for over ten years.

Then a month ago our third employee, who is one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever met, gave his notice. The construction field can have its challenges. We can’t afford to pay employee’s health insurance and an experienced carpenter caps out on the pay scale at some point.

Time for a new beginning for John, but actually what feels like a full circle moment for us. When he began his business over 20 years ago he was on his own. But when things got so busy, he brought on employee’s.

Then the economy crash of 2008 was very rough.  I’m not complaining, just saying how it is and how you come to new points of view in your life.

While it has not fully recovered in some ways, John has decided to go it on his own again. He has worked hard to build a great name for himself so he can now take jobs that he wants, while not always having to chase for more sales to keep a crew busy.

With everything there is adjustment and John is in transition as our employee’s last day is tomorrow.

As I was thinking about this the other day I all of a sudden felt lonely.  I’ve been home since 1994, having started out helping John in the business working in the office. I ventured out on my own in 2007 with my writing and my school visits with Frankie.

Even though we were coming and going out of the house, about once or twice a week we’d have lunch together at the kitchen table, or steal away on a Friday for a bite to eat.

As I think about this new beginning, John will be on the job site often, which means much more less time at home. While I always try to focus on the positive, I did have a moment of sadness and feeling this impending loneliness of not seeing him as often.

But I believe that all is working out just as it should be. For years John has been giving thought to this transition as we get older so you just have to think that the Universe is working to help him make these changes.

And if I find myself impending the new change and sad about not seeing John as much, I remind myself that he is still here with me on this earth.  This reminder all too real as my mom lost her husband a little over two weeks ago. She is in a transition of her own with no one coming home at the end of the day.

So while it is normal to grieve what was and move through those feelings, it is also important to be thankful for what we have. My mom and her recent loss is my tap on the shoulder and call to my heart to give thanks for the many blessings that I have.

And as my mom says often, “There is a season for everything.” In many ways it feels like a welcome slowing down in our lives as we move into this new change, and a new season to see what gifts they will bring.

And last but not least, I’m never alone, as I’ve always got my sidekicks Gidget and Kylie to keep me company – two huge blessings that I love!

Kylie: My Gentle Friend.

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No matter the worries on my heart,

simply by a hug around this big ole yellow dogs neck,

an understanding glance from her soulful eyes,

her soft body a pillow to rest my tired head,

her quiet presence a place to call home,

to let my worries gently wash away,

and on my way I go again,

my heart renewed and hope restored.

All this from my gentle friend.