Patch by Patch

patch by patch  - on Pender Island

enjoying the beauty 

of 

Pender Island

leading others in retreat

and leading myself

into a rhythm

of rest

stillness

listening

receptivity

and

restoration.

it is a privilege to listen to others

and the beauty that emerges from people's souls

when they have been given 

value

time

attention

and safety.

I would like to share a poem that was shared yesterday

by a young man on retreat here

His name is Adam Roper and he gave me permission to share this

work of art:

How do you heal from hurt

that isn't finished yet?

working its wry little magic,

you let it unravel

string by string

and sew it

patch by patch

until you 

have a story

to wear

as a precious garment

and

by spring

you'll know

something

new

another friend recently 

spoke with me 

about the ebb and flow 

of our healing

there is a myth

we tend to believe...

when I get better

when I am whole

when I am strong

when I am not a mess

......

then.....I can contribute

then.....I will be loved

then.....I can heal others

then....everything will be better

what I am learning

is that life is circular

in an ever widening spiral

of healing

and this poem 

so eloquently 

expresses this complexity

of the unravelling

I must allow

and the sewing back together

that is a mystery and a gift

to view life as a beautiful tapestry

of all the pieces

patch

by 

patch