to my darling BJ...

it started with one random act of kindness

and before long, our souls would be forever linked

a mother, a sister, a friend to the end

you are so dearly loved, my darling BJ

(mere words just can't express)

painful - i suffer, as long as you do

so i send infinite love and pray that you feel it

my heart overflows as twilight creeps in

but i know JAH will cradle you in the palm of His hands

as you tread ever so softly on the pillow of your breath.

peace. be still.

i love you. for always.

* * *

*UPDATE:  Thanks to all of you who touched BJ's life so deeply through your loving words, here and via post.  She treasured each of your cards.  It is unfortunate that I must share with you that our beloved BJ transitioned on Sunday, October 2, 2011.  As Empress Christina so aptly put it, "An angel went home on Sunday morning."

I would be unmindful not to mention that it was also my dear sisterfriend Doris' birthday.  I know that she was there at the gates waiting to greet BJ into an oasis of everlasting bliss.  One love.

a little respite...

taking a quiet moment to pause and reflect...

whatcha doing?

try life...

i vow to develop COMPASSION

in order to protect the lives

of people, animals, plants and minerals.

~ ~ ~

I recently had a reasoning session with a very dear friend, Amani, about being mindful of the value of life for all sentient beings.  We started to discuss those creepy little spiders (you know the ones) and my automatic mental response was "SQUISH."  I paused and began to reflect on my lack of mindfulness as Amani expressed her amazement and fascination about the Most High taking such care in creating their tiny bodies in such great detail.  She rhetorically asked, "Why would i smash it when i could just shoo it away?"  Her words resonated deep within my soul...and I instantly felt remorse for my impulsive desire to squish the little buggers so that I could feel more comfortable with my existence while completely disregarding their own. (on knees, hands clasped, eyed tightly shut - whispering 'Father, please forgive me!!!!").

It is against this backdrop that my heart sank last night when I received the news that the state of Georgia and the United States Supreme Court had declined to save the life of Troy Davis, a Black man on death row who was accused and convicted of murdering a white police officer on the testimony of 9 witness (7 of whom had since recanted); a case in which no physical evidence ever tied him to the crime.  (exhale).  As his executioner entered the death chamber, Mr. Davis continued to profess his innocence and prayed for those about to take his life.  Though his request for further investigation to seek the truth fell on deaf ears of those in positions of power, my earnest prayer is that Mr. Davis is now in a more peaceful place than he encountered here on earth and that his pain in leaving us was not too great. 

I do find it quite interesting that while the debate on stopping the execution was raging on, the mother of the victim stated that she would find peace in Mr. Davis' death. (a foreign concept to me, but i can appreciate her suffering).  Today, however, her statement is that "All the feelings of relief and peace I've been waiting for all these years, they will come later.  I certainly do want some peace."  I sincerely pray she finds it.  May the truth soon reveal itself so that Mr. Davis' family can also embrace peace.

peace is every breath...

we all have a beautiful, safe place inside of us

where we can go that is full of peace.

the bridge that takes us to this island of peace

and clarity inside of us is our breathing.

breathing in, i am calm.

breathing out, i smile.

                                                                   (Thich Nhat Hanh)

~ ~ ~

*please be good to yourself today and visit your island of peace.  one love. (exhale).

a random act of kindness...

September 11, 2011 is the Ethiopian New Year
and Grandparents Day!

This year, in lieu of our traditional Gift of Jewels event, I am inviting everyone who visit here to perform a random act of kindness on the 11th of September. 

Wouldn't it be divine to spoil a grandparent of your choosing with a surprise greeting card in the mail?  The recipient need not be a relative - any grandparent will certainly do ;).  Or maybe you'd like to go off the radar and do something completely different.  Your imagination is your horizon.  Just follow your heart and enjoy showering another beautiful soul with some much needed love. 

as always, ONE LOVE, my friends.