MESSAGES FROM A LOVED ONE WHO HAS PASSED....

 

I know that personally I feel my mother's presence from time to time.  She passed away over twenty years ago.  I'm not sure if it's that I was thinking so deeply about her that I created this feeling within myself...or if she lightly came to me, then, I felt her presence and I began thinking about her.  It's hard to understand how all of this works...memories, emotions, feelings and the possible contact from a dearly departed loved one.  I don't really have to know...I just need to pay attention, give it my attention and appreciate those warm and wonderful moments.  

Was it a familiar scent, a favorite place, a picture, a special occasion or was it my mom thinking of me, or possibly trying to tell me something.  Sometimes when that happens, I was not really thinking of anything special, nor did I have any situation going on that required some thought or guidance.  But there she was.  Her beautiful face in my mind's eye, her scent, her smile and her sweet voice.  I could feel her love.  Sometimes when this happens, it makes me smile and other times, it makes me cry.  

It seems like as I get older, it happens much more often.  Possibly because I have more time to just let my thoughts wander or that I am going back over my life from time to time as we all do as we age.   Good times and bad times...things I was glad that I had done and things that I regretted doing.  Usually when I have those thoughts, I take a moment to stop the flow...be thankful for the good times and good decisions and also forgive myself and others for the not so good times or decisions.   I try to let go of the unpleasant times and decisions and hold even tighter to the good times and beneficial decisions.  

When I am thinking about aging, my life, my children, my grandchildren or my future and have any feelings of being unsure of the right path, I can hear my mom say...I know...I know...honey...it will all be fine, just keep loving and living....

I worked in an Adult Care Center for a few years...after retiring from one of my careers, in Social Services.  I worked with residents that were older than myself.  While caring for them I loved to listen to the stories of their lives. I found strength and encouragement in their view of their current position in life.  Most of them had pictures of loved ones all around their rooms.  A few of them had articles of clothing of their departed loved ones tucked under their pillows to be near them as they slept.  And a few of them talked about how their loved ones contacted them by way of a bright red Cardinal landing on the tree branch right outside of the window in their room.  Or how a dragon fly or butterfly landed near them when out for a walk in the center's gardens.  It is not for anyone to judge whether this was true or not.  All that was important was that it meant something to the person who did believe that they were being contacted and shown love from a dearly departed loved one.  

The vision of what they believed was a sign gave them a feeling of hope and joy.  It made them feel that their loved one missed and thought of them often, also.  

It's not like a flash of lightening or a chair moving or anything like that...but I suppose it could be...for me, it's usually just a passing thought and feeling that comes to me...usually unexpected.  I feel like that is when they are thinking of me.  But, as I lie in bed in the evening before I fall asleep, with nothing distracting me, I feel that I can create a loving scenario whereby they know that I am thinking of them.  And, if they are not busy (lighthearted joke) with their heavenly chores, they will come to me in my thoughts or in my dreams.  

However it all happens, it happens differently for each of us...but I do believe that it does happen.  Death does not end memories, love and thoughts of loved ones...they go on forever and ever...Amen.

CHARCUTERIE TABLE FOR WILDLIFE

 I love creating...anything...so of course putting out food for our wildlife would not just be a pouring seed, nuts, etc. event onto a surface.  I arranged the snacks in a different design each time.  Fun for me and I hope (doubt) that they also enjoy my artistic display.  Hopefully some 'oooh's' and 'ahhhs' could be heard throughout the woods when the critters and birds first approach the newly arranged feeding table.  "She's really outdone herself this time' they hopefully say before diving in to devour and destroy.    

I always include several foods...sunflower seeds, corn, peanuts and acorns.  But then, I also add whatever is overflowing in our vegetable garden and on our fruit trees.  So, apples and pears are also favorites...but apparently not romaine lettuce or zucchini...big no's...But please understand that this table is not only adorned with food for the wildlife but to fulfill another creative avenue for me...the artist/creator...so, some colorful, yucky (to them) foods will also be part of the design.  

I did leave a note on the table one day and it was gone the next time we were out there.  The note said, "I hope that you enjoy the display of food that I was collected and created for you.  I had fun creating it for you...enjoy.  I will be back at least once a week to create a new spread for you".  After walking around on our acreage for a while...I spotted my note...it had deer poop on it...used it as toilet paper, I guess.  Or quite possibly it was a sign of affection and appreciation...you never know. I'm believing the 2nd theory...

I have now affixed a trail cam to a nearby tree so that I can see just who is visiting and devouring my feeding table.  And, I have not been disappointed.  Such a variety of woodland animals.  And, the best part is that sometimes there are several different varieties of critters and birds on the table at the same time.  Not bothering each other, not chasing the others away...just eating and enjoying.  Makes my heart sing.  

I have an older trail cam that I may resurrect and set that up, in addition, because we also have hanging bird feeders away from the feeding table and a 'turned upside down' feeding dish for the little critters. It would be fun to catch the activity in those areas also.  Although much of that activity happens during the day while we are there.

When we first arrive to work on the property...clearing brush and taking down dead trees...I excitedly sit down at the table to see what they seemed to like from my last feeding table and what they did not like.  Then, I clean off the crumbs and begin a new feeding table.  I base my design on the type of produce that I've brought with me.  The various shapes, sizes and colors always remind me of something...so, I begin to create that something and often times, vary the idea...depending...

First of all, I put some sunflower seeds and peanuts on the turned upside down feeding dish, and the chipmunks begin arriving after I call them.  Then, I fill the hanging bird feeders, and I begin to hear talking high in the trees.  We've decided that the first bird calls that we hear are from either crows or ravens...we have both, and they are alerting all birds that we are there, have come in peace and have brought good food for them.   Soon after the many 'caws'...birds start arriving.  Lots of Blue Jays - they do love peanuts, many Chickadees for the sunflower seeds and sweet Nut Hatches of several different varieties. 

 It is a fun hobby for us...one we have always enjoyed.  But we usually have lived on the property when setting out feeding tables and bird feeders.  This time, it is out on vacant land that we just purchased a few months ago...and just might possibly construct a building or two on it.  We'll see...we do love it up on this property...it's about a 2 hr. drive to the Canadian border.  Until we decide...we will continue working on the property and creating beautiful food tables for our woodland friends.