Circles

I miss my Grand. 

It was nine years ago, yesterday, that she died.  This is a picture of her at the beach in Florida.  She, my mom, and I would go every summer for a week to play in the surf and sand. 

Which is what is so beautiful about the trip I just took to Florida last week.  My mom mentioned several months ago that a way to honor HER mom would be to continue the tradition of three generations heading down to stick our toes in the sand and play for a week.  That's what we did.  Here's a picture of mom and my babies.  They call her "T."  Their beloved T.

I cannot explain how magical this trip was. It was as if my Grand was there. Watching over us. Reminding us to play, to enjoy the days and the moments of life that pass so quickly.  We built sandcastles, took walks on the beach, caught fish, and searched for sand crabs. We jumped waves with the children, and we taught them how to body surf.  Their eyes, so wide with delight, their spirits so innocent and pure. 

On and off during the week, I felt like I was slapped with several moments when I just "got it."  Moments where life seemed to make sense. Moments when my heart was peaceful, and all was well.  Moments, of course, broken up by the fits of a three-year old and the wants of a five-year old.  Constant needs, constant care.  Which is what it's all about. 

My Grand put up with my fits and my wants, and she constantly cared for me up until the day she died, always encouraging me, loving me, and curious about my life.  I miss that. But she gave me a gift, and now my mother is giving that same gift to my children.  It is the circle of life. 

"Everything the power of the world does is done in a circle.  The earth is round.  The wind, in it's greatest power, whirls.  Birds make their nests in circles.  The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle.  The moon does the same, and both are round.  Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.." ~Black Elk Speaks