Blog XII

Vera Lenore

March 2024

“What lies behind us and what lies before us 

are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

1803-1882

We have heard the adages, "you only live once", "count your blessings" and "live life to the fullest". All of these are true as we are called to leave this world a better place for having lived.  

In looking back we can see that we once were infants, toddlers, children, young adults and, if we’re fortunate enough, we become the elders with all the nostalgia, memories and perks that come along with it…grandparenting being the cherry on top!

Our memories of those formative years seem somewhat distant and detached from who we are today. Every uphill battle, and all experiences in life, have brought us to where we currently reside. The overwhelming feeling of having lived a thousand lives in a single lifetime seems apropos.

It’s a strange phenomenon.  

With the passage of time, we learn that it really is what we bring to the table every day that makes all the difference. The decisions we made along the way became lessons learned not only by us, but by our children who were growing while we matured.  Our independent objectives, the paths we’ve taken, the twists and turns of living, serve as an archetype of life for our children. I used to think that since I have all this valuable expertise, in a variety of situations, that I would be able to share this with my kids so that they might avoid some of the pitfalls of society. As it turns out, my adult children are thoroughly independent and willing to navigate life on their own terms and I applaud them for it. You wake up one day and suddenly realize all those stages in life that you struggled through and subsequently rose above, were the tools you gave your children to use in their own lives.

2023 was a year of tremendous loss for our family. In January our beloved dog and cat died within a week of each other. Both of my parents-in-law and my mother departed from us later in the year. The funerals were grueling to say the least and saying goodbye was heart wrenching. My mother-in-law was the last of the parents to leave us that year and a sudden shift in our world occurred at that moment. Cemeteries are stark reminders of lives lived, people loved and memories made. We all change the world upon our entry and continue to do so throughout life and beyond.

As an example, my parents-in-law left behind 4 children with spouses, 23 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren to carry on in their place. Having been part of this remarkable tribe for nearly 45 years, I can honestly say that every single one of us was deeply touched by them. Their impact on this world will reverberate for generations to come, each one of us carrying on their legacy of love.

Some believe there is an afterlife...a place we can genuinely call home. I certainly can attest to that. Some of my prior blog posts convey my glimpses into the other-worldly. These profound occurrences have left an indelible imprint and are a source of comfort. Peculiar manifestations aren’t so rare. Dating back thousands of years, many people have had mystical experiences, and it happens to this day. 

Shortly after my father-in-law passed on, he made a spiritual visit to my daughter. She explained that in her prayers she asked for a sign from him. She has a security camera at her front door that sends a notification to her phone if someone is there. Once the signal was sent she viewed the camera but saw nothing, so she went to the door…no one was there. It had never happened before. After reviewing the footage captured by the camera, she saw a large, ethereal, reddish orb surrounded by white light that appeared at the door. It started out very bright then slowly faded away, disappearing into the ether. The video is a stunning testament of our life beyond. The unedited pictures above are captured from the recording.

If you’ve ever watched the documentation of people who have had a Near Death Experience, there are some interesting stories they have to share about their brush with death. Their revelation gives all of us a glimpse into where we are destined…back home. Once the experiencers return to the body, their lives are profoundly changed. Sharing their insight is enlightening for us and cathartic for them.   

There is an interesting trope derived from the Latin words “Memento Mori” which translates to “Remember that you have to die”. A stark reminder of the impermanence of human life, yet our spiritual lives are immortal. Have we been here before? Will we return again? These are mysteries that have bewildered humanity for millennia and continue to perplex us on a very deep level. 

Although this body we live in from day to day seems to be a fragile and evolving state of being, our spirit is a permanent, indomitable force of energy. 

Keeping this in mind can get us through the most difficult times and brings a sense of peace.

We are on a journey of discovery and in the process we touch so many lives, from intimate family relations to the stranger you pass by in the store. A warm smile or random compliment can shift someone’s perspective.

As Gandhi so famously stated, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.

Happy Easter and God bless

Be Well My Friends