Ed and I went shopping today. This was our experience.
Solemn Shopping
Category Archives: Family
Ice Castle Adventure
Grateful for time with family this weekend on an Ice Castle adventure in New Hampshire!
We are so blessed to have a wonderful friendship with our son-in-law’s parents. My heart fills with joy knowing that many of our grandchildren’s memories will contain adventures like this with them being surrounded by two sets of loving grandparents. Looking forward to this summer when our Canadian children and grandchildren will join us in Maine for such full-family fun adventures.
Every moment counts. ❤️ 🎶
Tribute to Nicholas Blaschke
This young man was my brother’s boyfriend’s nephew. Please share and donate if you can.
May their family have peace in their hearts and minds as they navigate this tragedy. May they be surrounded by love and compassion.
“River Dai” welcome to Planet Earth <3
Our family was blessed this week to welcome “River Dai Longden.” I was especially blessed to be present with my daughter Morgan and her husband Rob when this beautiful baby girl was born and have spent every moment possible with my sweet granddaughter since then. She is absolutely adored by her uncles Dylan and Orion and has been given the same middle name as her uncle Riley Dai who is ever present in our hearts. 🌸 💖
#Family
#PiecesOfPeaceOnEarth
Día de los Muertos calaveras
This year we did not create our ofrendas and other altars for the dead. Instead during this season that houses two important family traditions, Samhain and Día de los Muertos, we kept our altar space intact as it is everyday with family portraits and pictures of our lost family members posed in celebration with us while they were still alive. We did not single any nor all out for altars dedicated to our deceased loved ones. Not this year. We wanted to keep everyone together, if only in pictures and our memories. Our recent loss is too deep to do otherwise, and impossible to articulate beyond that. There was trick-or-treating on Halloween, and the children did beautiful Day of the Dead arts and crafts. (the skulls below done by Orion and friend). We told stories. We danced. And we rested.
Ritual and Prayer on Samhain 2019
the triage of grief
They sat with me for hours in this spot. Sometimes talking. Much of the time just being still, gazing at Autumn’s tranquil beauty and listening to the sounds of the Lake.
For some this may look like healing.
I know with experienced certainty it is not.
Not yet.
This, this is the perpetual triage of raw grief.
Keep the body still.
Regulate the breath.
Quiet the mind.
Assess the wound.
Allow tears, laughter or lethargy to come.
Keep in check the anger.
When there is energy, do something useful, purposeful.
Ardently cradle the sorrow when it assails.
Repeat.
We are each processing Riley’s death in ways we can. Thank you to everyone who has brought us meals, and sent us cards, and held me in your arms or with your spirit. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your love. You are a blessing to us, to me. Thank you.
~ Twinkle
Calendar Notes
UPDATE WINTER 2020:
Our schedule for 2020 has been updated and will continue to include additions for Twinkle’s Pulpit Supply and local retreats. Twinkle will be hosting a retreat in New Smyrna Beach Autumn 2020 in addition to her Moosehead Lake Retreats in Maine. While Twinkle is in a time of needed self-care and deep contemplation after the loss of her son, she is making herself available to our community in ways she feels best to serve. Grief is a tender process. She has only just begun. Yet it is a process that takes place within the ever-flowing rhythms of life and living. As Twinkle says, “May we continue to be blessings to each other.”
UPDATE AUTUMN 2020:
Due to the tragic death in our family, many of our 2019 Autumn-time events have been cancelled or postponed, including retreats in Pittsfield and on Moosehead Lake. If you were registered for an event, please see your inbox for details or message us. The monthly women’s book group at Twinkle’s Place will resume in December. Weekly silent meditations and Hygge teas will begin in November.
Events and speaking engagements that will remain as scheduled include:
- Pulpit supply of previously scheduled Sunday mornings (see calendar for dates and times);
- Maine Municipal Association presentation on October 3rd;
- Orion’s Hallowe’en Party, Día de los Muertos crafts and storytelling, and our annual Samhain Ritual.
Devastating News
Blair Hill Inn – Annual Dinner
So grateful to have this annual gathering with our friends at this beautiful Inn overlooking Moosehead Lake on Saturday evening. Cherished moments of laughter and connection.