Love, Grief, Beauty, Fear, Spirituality, Mysticism, Transformation, Choices, Nature.
Twinkle’s writings have been included in publications and services around the world. For the first time bound in a poetry book all their own, her selected writings, some mystic in nature, others raw with physical-world portrayals of the landscapes we live in, created with passion, emotion, reflection and thoughtfulness.
Stay tuned for book debut details, and selected readings locations.
Facebook was able to capture some of our precious moments on video and still images. We are so very blessed to have a core group of family and friends close by with whom we were able to spend time with during a time when many cannot do the same. Our home on the lake offers social distancing by its very nature. As such, our summertime looked like most other summers…with key exceptions: We were not able to visit with our children and grandchildren in Canada, nor our dearest family and friends throughout North America and around the world as travel is restricted to and from such places. We’ve been watching our grandchildren grow up this year via Facebook and video calls. And, being distanced from our Canadian children is heartbreaking after losing Riley only 6 months before travel bans were in place. This year our Memorials for Riley took place in two locations because all our families could not come together. In the end, this will likely serve best as there are now both American and Canadian sites that mark his life and his death with beautiful physical tributes. With Christmastime upon us, and another traditional visit-time with our Canadian family unable to happen, sadness cannot help but arise. We carry it with us even as we celebrate with those who we are able to be close with. Both/And is very much present. All totaled, we are healthy and safe and grateful for that which we do have.
Sending love and blessings to you during this holiday season.
May you find comfort and peace and have measures of grace throughout your days.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158451968080901&id=636315900
Blue Christmas retreat book is created by “Twinkle” Marie Porter-Manning and available worldwide!
Purchase on AMAZON
Spoiler alert: This is likely to be my only “political” post of this election season. (you’re welcome).
It is International Day of Peace. A wonderful time for us to contemplate (and plan for) how we will choose to respond to the outcome of the USA Presidential election. With that in mind:
I invite, request and beseech
every single person in
The United States of America
(and those watching around the world)
to choose now…
before Election Day;
before the votes are cast and counted;
(and recounted, and recounted again);
before the announcements are made official;
before one party concedes and another accepts;
Please choose now…
how you will respond.
And, if I may further request and beseech
(and pray)
that we all
respond in peace
and with peaceableness.
More than merely being passively peaceful, a peaceable person actively seeks and strives for peace. Their actions and words demonstrate and promote peace.
We may not all be happy with the outcome of the election. Indeed, there will likely be feelings of heavy emotions. But, rather than react impulsively and destructively, we can choose to respond in peace and with peaceableness.
Please let’s choose to be peaceable people.
2020 (and, for some of us, beginning in 2019)
has been a long and painful year.
Let’s be gentle with each other.
Let’s gift each other with peaceableness.
Let’s set that intention now.
And, let’s act on that intention now by reminding ourselves every single day as we approach November 3rd, that we are choosing to be the peaceable people.
Be the Change.
Be Peace.
May it be so.
Happy International Day of Peace!
#PeaceDay
#PeaceDay2020
#InternationalDayOfPeace
#2020Election
*PhotoCredit: Asheville Community Yoga
On the anniversary of his death, we gathered his family together in Maine and on Prince Edward Island.
Summertime in Maine is so very beautiful. We are blessed with spaciousness and the ability to spend abundant time in Nature, create art, and nurture our spiritual practices. Here, we are able to Live Life as a Prayer.
#Lughnasadh #BlessingsOfLammas #TheChurchOfKineo #LivingLifeAsAPrayer #PiecesOfPeaceOnEarth #MooseheadLakeRetreats
Summer is a time of rest and deep connection with nature and dedicated time with family. With the exception of officiating weddings on Moosehead Lake, and hosting a few previously scheduled online events, Twinkle is on a brief sabbatical. ❉ #MooseheadLakeRetreats ❉
Our son Riley would be 23 years old today. There are no words to describe the emotions we collectively, and individually, feel from moment to moment, let alone on milestone days like today. Immense gratitude to our Aunt for creating this video montage for Riley’s birthday.
We love and miss you so much Riley. You are forever loved. Always remembered.
Riley Dai Callin 1997-2019
Twinkle’s dear friend and co-convener Gretchen Ohmann will host the Minerva gatherings on June 9th & 16th. Be sure to register to attend. These gatherings are free of charge thanks to generous donations from UU Women’s Connection, UU Women’s Federation, and UU Women & Religion. NOTE: While Twinkle is not a Unitarian, she has often consulted with and provided services for a variety of interfaith congregations and non-profits.
May we remember that we are each and all called to be Keepers of the Earth. May we remember this today (Earth Day) and every day. <3