Hitting Send

The picture above is of my BeLoved grandparents, both now gone, and was taken not long after they were married. Didn’t he look handsome in his uniform? Last year at this time, I chose to write a piece about the history of Memorial Day. While researching for the post, I could not help but think of my grandfather and his time abroad during World War II. While it seemed a bit odd to me at the time to include him in a Memorial Day post, as he was still alive then, I am so Grateful that I did, as it allowed for me to candidly discuss his wartime with him. Blessed that was, I say now. And, as Memorial day creeps up again, memories of the Beautiful ancestors who’ve come before me have been swimming through my head, and my heart.

My greatgrandmother, Christine Barton, whom I called “Bestamor”, was a very important womyn in my life, and I feel so truly fortunate to have known her as well as I did, and have shared as much dear time with her as I was allowed. She was Awesome! When I was about nine years of age, I used to have sleep overs at her house every Saturday night. We had sweet rituals of eating pizza or hamburgers, then watching the Love Boat together. Wow! It makes me smile so to think back to those times now. She not only allowed for, but encouraged a certain artistic freedom in me, showed me how to balance being a soft, yet strong womyn, and boy oh boy, did she have a green thumb, which I could only hope to emulate.

Antonia and Bestamor

I’ve been thinking a great deal about the way in which those who came before us help to teach us, and shape our lives. They share their wisdom, but this, along with a certain energy, is left behind. And, of course, it is up to us to carry on their legacies as best we can. To take the Love they’ve shared, and energy they’ve left us, and not only allow it to continue assisting us, but also to share it with those we Love who are still among us.

Upon my recent visit to the Botanical gardens, I came across a Gorgeous example of what I am trying to describe. The roots of what must have been a very Beautiful and impressive tree had been left on its side. From the dirt, along one side of this root structure, burst forth new, spectacular life. Even in death lay Glorious Beauty. It is the circle of life, which continues to unfold, ’round and ’round.

This Memorial Day, I shall honour not just those brave men and womyn who have fought for our country, but all those Dearly BeLoved who have come before me, assisting in shaping me, and allowing for the life I have today. For all of you, I give thanks.

Love and Blessings,
Antonia