Bowen Magic
Well, it finally fell out!!! After weeks and weeks of it hanging by a thread!
And it’s our last night with Grandpa on Bowen… Coincidence? I think not.
Terri and Jeanne truly outdid themselves tonight. True to form, their finale literally took my breath away…
It was a quiet morning. Grandpa was in rare form all week-singing, hiking, skipping stone after stone, attending Bowen’s Canada Day celebration, foraging through the woods. So today, we decided to take it easy.
Eventually we made our way to Killarney Lake where the magnificence of Bowen’s rain forrest cast its’ wondrous spell. Upon our return home, I forced myself to begin the preparations for our pending leave-taking. Sifting through our things, I was drawn to the pictures of Terri and Jeanne that I’m taking home. One held my gaze, calling to me…
The labyrinth… Jeanne had walked that labyrinth. She had taken our mother to walk that labyrinth. And here was Terri, walking that labyrinth. Anya, Jeanne’s best friend and I, were just talking about it yesterday, when she had us over for lunch.
So I journeyed to Xenia Centre . And I too walked the labyrinth. And Jeanne and Terri walked it with me. Memories swirled one after another. Joyous memories. Painful memories. I laughed. I cried.
When I returned home I noticed the goodies Miss M and I had left out for the deer that morning after skyping with Aunty Cole. Miss M had asked to “feed the deer Aunty Cole’s way”. When I asked what she meant she told me that on her last visit to Bowen with Mamãe, she and Aunty Cole had placed carrots on the tree stump next to the trampoline. So that’s exactly what we did.
Grandpa, Miss M and I gathered at the kitchen table. Just as we were getting ready to prep for dinner, I jumped out of my seat yelling, (or as Miss M likes to say, ‘freaking out’), “Oh my God!”
But that wasn’t all…
While marveling at Nana Canada and Mamãe’s uncanny abilities, (a mother and daughter deer pranced right in front of me on my walk to Terri’s old house yesterday!) Grandpa and I were moved to play a few videos for Miss M. The first was her at about 10 months old, dancing in the living room on Bowen.
“Where is Nana?”
I quickly found one that showed Jeanne and Miss M, swaying together to the music, fully entranced with each other. Then Grandpa showed us a few from the Bronx when Miss M was just born-Nana Canada holding her lovingly in her arms, singing her a Beatles song, then one with Nana Nana taking a turn, me and Jeanne playing paparazzi in the background.
But it was the video of Terri and Miss M skyping with Grandpa that broke open our hearts…
Here was Mamãe in the flesh… Laughing. Planning Granspa’s next visit. Literally telling Miss M how much she loved her. And then Mamãe started tickling her. And Miss M asked me if she could act like a baby, cuddling next to me. So we did just that. Then she asked to go on the floor and have me tickle her like Mamãe did. So we did just that. And that’s when the tooth came out…
And all of a sudden I remembered the night Terri and I went to see the Long Island Medium. At the end Theresa kept asking Terri about Miss M’s tooth. Had she lost one? Was one loose? Terri said no several times but Theresa kept coming back to that and told us to pay attention to that.
As I lay with Miss M after saying prayers, I swear I ‘heard’ Terri say, “That’s what she meant, Aunty. That it would be you, along with Papai and Grandpa and Aunty Cole that would keep me “alive” for my daughter…”
And this is how I am learning to go on without Terri and Jeanne… By living and loving fully. By being present and open to what the universe has to offer. By savoring the gifts they left me.
And I invite you to do the same…
Love,
Auntie Laurie
Oh Spider, so good to see you and your wonderful family. You are all forever in my thoughts….sending loads of love with all my pancreas (my heart belongs to Jeff…) Your acquaintance from many moons ago, Linda Mack (nee Stiles)
Touched my heart and soul….
Happy birthday dear sister! Looking forward to making some sister and cousin memories at Sophie Luanna’s birthday!!
A magic time for one and all. Thank you!
Yes indeed!
Thank you for this writing, and the pictures, both are beautiful! Think of you all often… Love from Suzy,Ted and Eleanor in Ohio
And we of you all in Ohio…It’s on Marisa’s “bucker list” to visit her old house and some favorite Ohio haunts (like Jumpy’s!),so now that I’m retired we hope to get there soon!
Like I said the day I met you…..Your writing touches both the heart and soul. I literally had goose bumps reading this post. Please don’t stop sharing these beautiful experiences…..it helps those who also have lost loved ones to believe and have faith that they are still with us and continue to show us subtle signs and send us love. Again, Thanks for Sharing! xo
Sue, you have no idea… The timing of your comment could not have been better.
I so desperately needed to “hear from Terri” tonight. And on my way home just now from printing summer pics for Miss M to take to school tomorrow, a DEER literally stepped right out in front of my car near Terri’s house! Yes a DEER. Just like in this blog post. I truly believe she was thanking me for loving and cherishing her beloved girl.
And when I turned to the blog just now to channel my angst and loss, here you are. Just when I needed it the most. Although you wrote it weeks ago, I was clearly meant to read it tonight.
Yes, that was Terri. And yes, I must continue to share her/our message.
Thank you Sue. And stay tuned… Terri is calling me to publish gracefulwomanwarrior and that’s exactly what I plan to do!
my moms doctors predictably recommended chemotherapy when she was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. Just as she was about to begin conventional treatments, her mother called Charlotte Gerson, who convinced her to try alternative therapies instead. Elena took this advice to heart and adopted
a protocol of enzymes, cleanses and coffee enemas – in addition to an
organic vegetarian herb prescribed by doctor allen presley. Five years later, she remains cancer-free with more energy than ever. i will advice you seek help from this great man.(allenpresleymed@gmail.com).
Thanks for your thoughtful advice. My niece Terri tried both eastern and western medicines, pouring her heart and soul into her 3 year battle with breast cancer. It’s wonderful to hear that your mother is thriving. Terri’s story ended differently than your Mom’s, but their stories are intertwined nonetheless.
That’s why Terri started this blog. And why I have chosen to continue it and hopefully publish it soon. Because it is in the telling of our stories to each other, however long our stories may be, that we find peace, hope, guidance and meaning…
Deep gratitude, Aunty Laurie
Really enjoyed reading this! thanks for posting and for the great photos!