There are Teachers Everywhere...and Wishes Do Come True

When I first got married many years ago now I lived in a 100-year-old farm house. It was the kind of house that had intense character and charm ~ by this I mean it had no closets at all, not one, and the basement had a dirt floor. The floors were crooked and none of the doors could close all the way. The staircase opening was so low and narrow a double bed mattress could not fit through it and we struggled with roof maintenance, having regular heat, and proper plumbing for modern day appliances. Nevertheless we loved our picturesque farmhouse and so we filled it with antiques and farm tools, kitchen gadgets from the 40's and 50's and an assortment of cozy and comfortable furnishings. All that was missing was the rabbit.

I really wanted a rabbit. I envisioned taking care of a cute little bunny who would "hang out" in a cute little gingerbread-style rabbit hutch painted in "country" colors in the back yard. I even had a great place for the hutch ~ nestled amongst the newly thriving wildflower garden of cosmos, purple coneflower, blackeyed susan, phlox, and more. For me, the idea of a rabbit in a hutch would complete our country home without having to actually do any farming. Afterall, we were smack dab in the middle of Chicago suburbia!

But, alas, there were many arguments made against having a rabbit and so the dream passed and within four years time, tired of repairing gutters and windows that wouldn't properly open or close, we sold the "old" farmhouse and bought a "new" one in a progressive conservation community on an Illinois prairie. The new farmhouse was made with energy efficient construction in a low density subdivision plan. The community boasted its own charter school and an organic farm complete with a wind turbine. There was mandatory composting and recycling and every home had open views of prairies of tall grasses, wildflowers, lakes and farm land. Surely, I thought, it was time for me to have my rabbit in this perfect environment!

Unfortunately, the constant threat of coyotes, I was told, made having a rabbit in a hutch a dangerous endeavor and a near certainty predicting the rabbit's demise. And without even the slightest bit of subtlety, I was told by various people that I would hate taking care of the rabbit, I would hate cleaning out the hutch - which would be required daily, and I would hate that rabbits have to have their teeth filed -- and what was I going to do about all that? I would even get tired of and eventually hate feeding the rabbit!! they said. And what about the excessive Chicago summer heat wih the poor rabbit all cooped up in a wooden hutch? The naysayers went on and on until once again the idea of having a rabbit came and went.

By now you might be asking why I was so predisposed to have a rabbit -- especially since I was a suburban girl and had never ever visited a working farm or had any pets other than a family dog to take care of -- I really cannot tell you why. I just know that I wanted one. I really couldn't articulate the reason why then and still not now. I just knew that somehow I was yearning for one. And somehow I was always "told" by someone else that I could not have one.

Many years passed and with them came many changes. Our beautiful son grew, careers took hold, life got routinized, dreams were abandoned in favor of getting through the busy days, vacations were rare, communication lagged, relationships suffered, and then one day I woke up and realized it was time for a new life, a new birth, a new beginning. My husband and I divorced agfter 17 years of marriage and we each moved to new homes.

Times were tough during that transition. There was a lot of fear. There was a lot of worry. Can I take care of myself? Will I be safe living on my own? Will I be able to handle what comes my way? Will I thrive? Will I be able to resurrect what I have lost? Will I be able to handle being competely alone?

It was time to find out.

I moved to one-half of a duplex in a high density subdivision in the suburbs of Chicago. The duplex was and is perfect for my 11 year old son and I. It offered us beautiful interior colors and a third extra bedroom I could convert into an art studio to support my now newly rediscovered need to draw Pinwheel Girls. The back yard boasted a wood fence painted gray, a large deck, and a retractible sun shade over it. My kitchen window overlooks a stunningly gorgeous open space that many people mistakenly think is part of a golf course. Mature trees are everywhere. There is a pool and a golf course, basketball hoops, and bike paths. When I purchased it, I knew it would be perfect for me and my son for our new life.

Interestingly, not even a year in the duplex I saw that, lo and behold, I had a co-resident hanging out with my son and I in the backyard. She arrived on Easter Sunday ~ of all miracles. A rabbit. Plump, soft, thriving, complete with a cottony cottontail. Easter Sunday - a symbolic holiday for rabbits which embody the idea of "new life" and "resurrection from the dead."

Three years later she is still with us.

She lives under the deck. Every morning she comes out for her daily munchies of dandelion leaves. Then she lays around in the sun all sprawled out, relaxing and sunbathing as any good rabbit would do. As afternoon arrives, she rests under the shade of the tall pine tree. We love to see her hopping all over the yard, her little white cottonball of a tail frolicking behind her. Last year she birthed baby bunnies for us to enjoy and they inmitated their momma's behavior just perfectly. Imagine our delight to see momma bunny and baby bunnies romping around the yard!

I have photographed her and my son and I sit on the deck and chat with her, coo to her, and feed her shredded carrots and lettuce in the summer. Every morning I look for her out my kitchen window and my heart soars to see her hopping or lying around...munching on the tall grass and weeds that try to pass themselves off as a "lawn" at my house.

So...with all this rabbit energy surrounding me and my little duplex I decided to research the symbolism of the rabbit. What I discovered amazed and touched me so deeply. I knew then that the other times in my life when I had yearned for a rabbit were not the right times to receive one.

Native Americans believed that the rabbit stood for "fear." They also represent "fertility" and "new life."

As we all know, a rabbit is prey for many animals. Yet, it is equipped with the gifts of very high speed and agility to outrun predators as well as the ability to reproduce itself in high numbers to preserve itself as a species. When a rabbit hears or senses the threat of danger, what does it do? It runs!! Fast! They also have the amazing ability to stop and start, twist and turn in their path, and change directions with lightning speed.

The rabbit can also make great leaps and hops...Hmmmm.

The rabbit is also considered the sacred animal of the Greek goddess, Hecate, who ruled over women's transitions. Learning this was like receiving a lightning bolt to my head...I was right in the middle of managing a major life transition -- ending a long marriage, beginning life as a single, mid-life woman and, now for the first time, a single mom, too -- and I even had a small porcelain statue of Hecate in my living room to honor the transition I was experiencing...

I was indeed crafting a "new life" for myself and my son. Powerful medicine this little rabbit is.

And so as I researched, I found that the lesson of the rabbit coming into your life is for you to stop demonstrating so much fear and to stop talking about it. Afterall, what you fear most is what you will become. When a rabbit shows up in your life, it is a sign to tell you to stop worrying, to stop saying "What if this tragedy happens" and "what if that horrible thing happens" and, in my case, to stop saying "What if I can't handle this?" and "What if I have done the wrong thing?" and "What if I really can't take care of myself after all these years?" The rabbit wants you to instead focus on how there is always a way out in every situation, or problem, or with every fear you face.

So now when I see my little rabbit, who I finally have as one of my companions, I know now why I had to wait 17 years for her. I didn't need her before. I needed her at just the right time that she arrived. She came when I had to deeply examine my fears. When I had to cast them aside and take my life into my own control. When I had to forge ahead with leaps and hops. When I had to create a new beginning, a new birth, for myself. She came when I could be open to what she had to show me.

The Universe works with us and for us, not against us. And there are teachers everywhere. Even in my little rabbit who lives under the deck. She requires no hutch, no special care, no worries from me about the heat or about coyotes. She requires only that I pay attention to the gifts I am given from the Universe...and to learn from them. She has become one of my greatest teachers in my life to date. She with the little cottontail.

What Do You Think Of When You Encounter A Pinwheel ?

Did you know that the universal symbol of a pinwheel is "to turn one's luck around..." Pinwheels are found world-wide in cultures all over the globe.

What do you think of when you visualize or interact with a pinwheel?

As symbols pinwheels also represent childhood, the unseen energy that causes movement and animation, the cycle of "stopping and starting," the concept of "spinning in a circle" and more.

When interacting with a pinwheel now, as an adult, many remember the comforts of childhood, exploring the thrill and power of a pinwheel furiously spinning in the wind through an open car window on the way home from a carnival or parade, or colorful, shiny, dazzling visuals spinning with delight reflecting the light of the summer sun. For many, all of these feel "carefree" but for others it can represent a childhood lost.

Others think of unseen energies moving us along, then stopping us in our tracks, only to start up again, as if without our permission. And still others think of how something powerful must "move us." What about the idea of youthful energy? Or that of a "plaything" or "toy"? And "vicious cycle."

Some folks have shared with me that pinwheels represent the diversity of humanity ~ each pinwheel is different: different colors, different materials, different sizes, different effects, different speeds. Some moving, some still. Some stuck. Some unstuck. Some furiously spinning. Some calmly waiting for the next movement. Some shiny and dazzling, some more sedate and pastel.

Other folks have shared with me that pinwheels make them feel energetic and inspired...the slightest wind, breeze or touch of the finger sets them spinning to express their color and movement...

There are many interpretations that the pinwheel symbol can embody....

Next time a pinwheel appears in your life think about what it has come to tell you or ask you to think about regarding your own life's journey. For me the pinwheel will always be about the unseen energies hard at work in our life...and how sometimes those energies will cause us to jump off the stick that has held us pinned down. Once free, the pinwheel flies and soars through the skies in a dazzingly array of colors for all to see.

I would love to hear from you about your interpretation of the pinwheel as a symbol or any pinwheel stories you'd like to share!

Warm Winds To You! I'll see you in Sky!

Mother's Day Is For All of Us, All of You ~ Whether You Are A Mother Or Not, Whether You Have A Child Or Not

This is a Mother's Day Message for all the mother's out there and there are many of you and many different kinds of mothers. I feel that Mother's Day is heavily marketed in a stereotypical way...it is exclusive and singular. It leaves a lot of women feeling like this holiday is not for them and they feel left out, unseen, and forgotten. If you are one of those women, I want to include you.

For those of you who are mothers right now, I wish you a happy mother's day and hope you will be able to spend the day with your loved ones. I also wish you time and serenity to reflect on your mothering and to grow in confidence as a loving, nurturing steadfast guide for your children. When I was a new mother, I had confidence in certain areas of my mothering, not so much confidence in others. It was important that I took some time to reflect on the areas of my mothering in which I needed to grow and evolve. Mother's Day is a great reminder for us to do this.

And for all the experienced mothers out there, I wish you a day of gratitude and loving pride for all that you have accomplished, often unseen and unnoticed, as a mother.

For those of you whose mothers have crossed over to Heaven, I wish you a Mother's Day of peace and sanctuary in your memories of her. I am sure you know and feel that she is still with you caring for and loving you throughout your days. You might feel that there isn't an appropriate greeting for you on this holiday nor one you can send to your own mother anymore. But this holiday is most definitely for you in your mother's honor. I hope you will be able to find a way to recognize her that is satisfying and loving to you.

For those of you who wish to be a mother but that day has not yet come, I wish you opportunities to think about what kind of mother you would like to be, to really plan for that and to make it a real and conscious part of your awareness. And I wish you success in becoming that mother.

And for those of you whose life path painfully does not allow you to be a mother despite your prayers, desire and efforts, I feel that Mother's Day is a holiday for you, too, because you have mother love in your heart and that is something to celebrate, honor and cherish.

This message is also for those of you who choose not to be a mother. I would like to thank you for all of the support, caring and understanding you have given to your own mother as well as to other mothers and their children. Your assistance means so much and it is greatly appreciated.

For single mothers, this holiday is most certainly for you. I wish you time on this day for self-care, relaxation, and rejuvenation. of course, I know that all mothers need this! But I also wish the single mothers an extra dose of continued resolve, resiliency and strength because you are doing it all alone. For this, I want to also wish you companionship and support. I understand your journey.

For all of the mothers with an empty nest I hope you will be able to spend time or communicate with your children and feel their love for you and to express yours for them.

Grandmothers and great-grandmothers and godmothers ~ thank you for your timelessness, your wisdom, your experience, and for teaching the new mothers.

Happy Mother's Day also for all of the adoptive mothers, foster mothers, and step-mothers. The generosity and expanse of your heart is amazing. The world needs mothers. And you have stepped in to fill this need. I personally know adoptive mothers, foster mothers, and step-mothers and I see how their particular roles as mothers are layered with complexity beyond what I could imagine in my own life. To me you have huge hearts capable of so much unconditional love.

This message also goes out to all of you who have had the painful experience of child loss whether to miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal loss, or another untimely death that meant you had to lose your child. I understand your pain on this day. I wish you time to reflect on and to celebrate the gifts of the heart your child surely brought to you. If you lost a one and only child, you might wonder if this holiday is for you since you don't have any living children. It is. You are a mother whose child is in Heaven. There isn't a Hallmark card for this and you might not want a "Happy Mother's Day" greeting. But I honor you and your child on this day. I know you.

Mother's Day is also for all the aunts, cousins, nieces, sisters, caregivers, nannies, housekeepers, coaches, tutors, counselors and teachers...for each of you have also offered your mothering in a myriad of ways. Thank you for the gifts of your heart to children everywhere.

I also want to acknowledge those of you who lost your mother at an early age because this meant that when you were still a child you became a mother -- to yourself and possibly some siblings. For you in particular, I honor the mother you became early in your life and again now if you have children of your own. You are a very special person on this planet. Never forget that you are strong beyond anyone's imagination and that your heart and spirit are filled with grace for what you have endured.

And for any mother who is separated from her children due to incarceration, war, poverty, substance abuse, homelessness or estrangement, I wish you a speedy reunion that is full of reconciliation, recognition, and endless love so that the Mother-Child bond can grow and prosper between you.

I am sure that there are many other kinds of mothers I did not mention in this post. I did not intend to forget or overlook you. If I did, I apologize and I wish you a Mother's Day that is joyous in a special way for you.

Mother's Day is For All of Us and All of You...whether you are a mother or not, whether you have a child or not...because Love is Eternal and Mother's Day is about loving and caring for another. Blessings to all of you and your loved ones wherever they may be on Mother's Day and always. Celebrate and honor all of the mother love you have in your heart!

Photo Caption: My beautiful mother and I. Her name is Iris and she is 87. She grew up motherless but became one of the best mothers on the planet. Thank you, Mom. I love you.

Seeing the Unseen Creates New Ways

It was a glorious day today...warm sunshine, cool breezes, big blue skies, cloudscapes...all the things that make for a perfect Pinwheel Girl realm. A recent business trip lasting several weeks finally ended and that meant that my 11 year old son and I could be reunited after a long separation. With such great Spring weather upon us, we decided to explore some of the wetlands in our area to discover what treasures might await us. With camera in tow, we set off to "follow the wind and find something we had lost..."

"...sing all your colors as you soar across the sky into your own magnificence..."

The first thing I began to photograph on our foray were the cloudscapes dancing above us in the Big Sky. I have always felt that it is in the realm of the Blue that our deepest dreams and hidden gifts reside. I invite all of you to spend time in what I call "the Dreamland of the Sky"excavating and ruminating on your dreams, goals, aspirations, and hopes. Some of us have abandoned our dreams, forgotten them, put them aside, or left them on the side of some long ago travelled road. It's important to rekindle these...they are the whispers of your Soul asking you to share your self with the world.

I took lots and lots of photos of the Sky and the Clouds...there were so many "openings" in the cloudscapes -- so many "holes in the sky..." To me, these are huge symbols for us to find and see. When an opening from the Sky occurs or is presented to you, you simply must walk through it...or fly through it! It is there through that opening that all of your authenticity and the seeds of your best life can start anew...to get there you must begin to dream again. Seeing all the holes in the sky made me think that the Universe and our Life Path offer us openings all the time...we have to "see the unseen" -- notice, be aware, take action when the inspiration strikes. When we do this, we can live a life of immense joy and fulfillment.

"...love is in the air..." ~ Literally!

We saw a cloud shaped like a heart lying on its side...Hmmm....love is all around us, you know? Today, literally, love was in the air! Sometimes I think we don't remember that love surrounds us every day, all day. At least I often forget! Sometimes we feel unlovable, forgotten, devalued. But, I have found that the Universe, this big beautiful world of ours, sends me messages ALL THE TIME that I am loved, seen, and valued. How? I find "hearts" wherever I go...rocks, shells, clouds, trees, and more all in the shapes of hearts. When I find one it is like the Universe has just sent me a love letter. I believe it is the Universe's way of sending us a powerful message. Again, we have to have open eyes to "see the unseen" sometimes. You are not alone, not at all, and you are loved. I feel that everytime I find one of my "hearts."

"...memorize the endings and the beginnings....they will come again..."

The wetlands were teeming with new life. Budding trees, birds nesting, bumblebees flitting, and saplings shooting up out of the Earth. We encountered a gaggle of goslings...the sweetest, fluffiest baby geese you'd ever hope to see...following their parents about. Everywhere was the sound of birdsong...like a natural orchestra...they were laughing and talking! The colors were glorious...every shade of green, golden yellows, and the left over browns and rusts of last fall.

My son and I...how can I explain this...we were both SO HAPPY. Being around all this new life, I think that it has a glorious effect on you. There is just so much beauty to be seen looking out into the World. To see all the new life surrounding us, the baby geese, the delicate but swollen green buds on every tree limb, the bees feasting on newly blossomed spring wild flowers, I thought to myself "All of this life around me is beautiful...actually, LIFE is beautiful." Indeed. Despite my problems and concerns, my life is beautiful, too...so is yours. Think about it.

We found a huge tangled up, gnarly, mangled tree rising up out of the wetlands about 6 feet from the muddy shore of the Des Plaines River. The river is quite high right now after the spring rains. This was not the prettiest tree I've ever seen...but it had a majesty to it that made me keep photographing it. The bottom of the tree was a complete mess -- all jumbled up, rotting, falling down, split open, and submerged in water. Many of the main branches had collapsed. It was, as I often say, "tangled up in all sorts of entanglement."

But as I have recently found once again, things have a way of working themselves out. Life unfolds and the tangles get smoothed away…new life begins and new strength is found. Sure enough the upper reaches of this tangled tree were sprouting beautiful green buds amidst new and strong limbs. And in those limbs were many “openings” to the Big Sky behind it…

“…the biggest rocks make the biggest circles…”

My son was having a great time throwing rocks and skipping stones into the river. What is it about boys and rocks? He loved it. Always on the hunt for a special rock to keep and add to our growing piles, we found a very special one indeed. How about sticks? We collected a bunch of those, too, and we found that some of them were in the shape of letters. “L” was one of them. As my boy continued to throw stones and be captivated by the “circles” he could create in the water, I left a “message” for others who might follow us on our journey through the wetlands today.

Just as we were leaving, two grandparents arrived with three granddaughters and a bevy of fishing poles. Instantly, the energy changed…yelling and hollering was the standard modus operandi, it seemed. The first words we heard were “Get away from that boy with the rocks! He’s scaring all the fish away!” followed by “Get that net OUT OF THE WATER – NOW!” I told the grandfather we were just leaving and that the fish would arrive soon. As we left I told my son to tell the three girls we’d left them a message on the shore and to check it out.

Here's the message we left on the river's edge ~ complete with our special rock:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38013406@N06/3495985886/

As we headed for our car and another stop along the wetlands, it occurred to me how there is so much energy powerfully at work in our lives…it takes many forms and is often invisible…it’s important to stay aware and focused on the kind of energy and influences you want to welcome into your life and those you want to offer to the Universe, your fellow human beings, and yourself.

I think of the Wind as a metaphor for the Inner Voice…they are both often unseen and only felt. There is also Deep Knowing and Intuition. What about chance, synchronicity, a hunch, an inkling…these are also energies working hard to get your attention. I like to say that “…there are teachers everywhere…” – in a rock, a stick, a cloud, a feeling, a nod, a glance, a message…Look for these unseen forces working in your life…and when you see them, take notice, and share them.

“…seeing the unseen creates new ways…and a new you…”