In June, the coastline in Pacific Grove, CA was bursting with gorgeous pink flowers covering the ground- shades of darks and lights. The sun was shining brightly, the sky was clear, the ocean shimmering blue.

Life seemed to flow effortlessly amongst the edges of the cliffs for what appeared to be eternity. I was in awe with life. The serenity filled my spirit and I felt whole as I walked along.

Pacific Grove, June 2013

Less than two months later, I came back to the coast. The sky was overcast, the ocean dull, and the pink ground was now ashy gray.  It appeared dead- and it was hard to imagine there was life here or that there would be life again. I suddenly felt tired.

The life and beauty was gone- like a lost loved one, a lost relationship, loss of who you knew your Self to be. Like a gray darkened cloud covering the heart.

Then literally, I looked up and there was life again.

There I saw one set of bright pink flowers amongst the ashy ground. No others to be found. Survivors. They were wilted ever so slightly…almost as if they were deciding if they wanted to stand up again?

Pacific Grove, August 2013

I approached the flowers. These flowers reminded me of a grieving heart in the midst of chaos…in the process of recreating one’s self and life again… a heart mending… an opening.

In the blink of an eye, less than two months time, the whole scene changed. I wondered if the existence and beauty of the flowers were taken for granted. I know I did. I planned to go back and visit and made my trip too late. I expected they would just be there.

For what seemed like darkness extending for miles, there was birth amongst the dry and ashy ground. The darkness gave way to brightness once again.

Those flowers spoke to me about the resilience of the human spirit. The healing of the human heart. Mending wounds of loss to allow light in. To allow life in. To allow yourself to love again. To recreate or rediscover who you are.

The word death symbolizes such finality. But life never disappears completely- it just appears to vanish. It recycles. Birth. Life. Death. Rebirth.

If you look closely, you can find the Spirit of that which “died” in your heart and around you. You can find that Spirit in the flowers. You can find that Spirit in your child’s smile. You can find that Spirit in the ways you remember your loved one - in the ways you honor the life of the one who passed on. If you open your senses, you can even feel your loved one around you.

Being able to see, sense and feel Spirit and the spirit of those who have passed on helps to find comfort in loss and loneliness.

I did and now I don’t feel alone, even when my wonderful family is 3000 miles away. You can feel supported by those beyond physical form too. Look and listen closely.

Need support? Don’t hesitate to contact me. I trust that you, too, can find comfort, connection, and hope as you rebuild your life.