3 DAY LOVE FEST....

Hindu Spiritual Festival in India

 

I did not paint my face blue or walk barefoot in a cloud of smoke, but I did something deeply spiritual and quite moving. I honored the dead; in this case my late Aunty.

 

As it turns out this blog has some magical powers. It seems to be that whatever I write about (see last post) is always expanded upon! I could gush and go on and on but I will keep it simple. Last weekend, from Saturday through Monday (which was the actual two year anniversary of Aunty's passing) I celebrated her life in what turned out to be a three day LOVE FEST! 

We Remain Inseparable

 

Saturday morning at the church I was baptized and the church Aunty attended for  most of her life, I honored Aunty in a community mass for the deceased. Along with Aunty's name, I had my beloved Uncle Domenic's name added and their darling daughter Jeanie. With Grace by my side (Aunty's dear friend and mine) we felt like we were sitting among angels. The church is quite elaborate and divine and reminiscent of the Vatican.

 

Later we sat at Aunty's grave and had a heart to heart talk with her. We felt her telling us how happy she is.

Then we took a ride and enjoyed large cups of coffee (undoubtedly Aunty's favorite drink ever).

We drove to Plum Island where Aunty and Uncle D would take me as a child. The weather rolled out a big red carpet of bright yellow sunshine!

 

The day kept getting better with each reminder of Aunty, from an exact replica of Aunty's Christmas tree (in a sublime little antique shop) to shimmery high-heel ornaments that Aunty would surely drool over, she was everywhere.

 

The next day friends gathered at my home and we lit candles around pictures of Aunty and watched videos of her dancing and exuberant.

Due to all the love and honor I was experiencing a little miracle occurred. It was so amazing it warrants its own blog post. (coming soon)

A Rose from Aunty's Funeral

 

Monday, Grace came back to light another Aunty candle and bring me homemade food,

including homemade bread just like I would always have at Aunty's. What genuine comfort. We looked at Auntys' pictures and talked about how much we miss her and how much we love her. We carried on about the miracle that had just happened the day before. We both know it was Aunty speaking  to us from beyond. It was undoubtedly awe-inspiring. I played a tender and moving song (off a new CD) called I Love You.

 

These few days of celebrating our cherished Aunty transpired into a three day love fest. And, given the power, depth, and strength of the love we have for Aunty and the love she continues to send us back 

it was indeed elevating!

Aunty keeps whispering to me....to you, and to all creatures and humans of the universe.....

 

Feel my love now....

 

Eternal Rose Petals for Aunty

 

 

HAPPY EASTER AUNTY AND ALL...

 

Bright Colored Easter Eggs remind me of Aunty! Everyone in the family knows that Easter was always one of Aunty’s favorite Holidays.

We couldn’t get enough of her cookies and eggplant which she loved to make for the holiday. She prevented family feuds by always making extra! But, like me, Aunty was a kid at heart and loved the candy, and coloring the Easter Eggs. I can still see her face and feel that joy that she radiated at this special Holiday, and, for us a Holy Day.

 Recently Aunty’s grandchildren were keeping up her tradition of coloring Easter Eggs. They had planned to make the pink, purple, blue, yellow and green ones like she did.  When one of the children lifted the egg out of the coloring….well, Nana Helen (Aunty to me) was so happy in spirit that she was being remembered by all her great grandchildren carrying on one of her many holiday traditions, she made sure one of the eggs had her name on it! Here is the picture they sent me. Aunty’s name is Helen and suddenly there was (what appeared to be) a Big "H" emblazoned on the Pink Egg.

Happy Easter to all….

Aunty you bring us all joy. Remembering you and carrying on in your name is the greatest privilege and how I chose to live my life now.

Eternally…

Renee Faith and your beloved family….

SHE LOVES ME, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH…

Me and my cold Momokawa Sake

As promised, I carried the festivities of celebrating my May birthday, all the way into June…with a little bit of help.

When a small group of friends helped me celebrate this year, gathered around the table of a small Japanese restaurant, we started singing and carrying on. I knew we might cause a scene if we continued the high-decibel merrymaking. We quieted down and went back to having our regular fun with an ordering frenzy and a sushi fest. But, something tells me we were just as loud. I don’t think it’s possible to enjoy yourself that much in a restaurant without a little noise.

A couple of weeks ago one of my sisters took me out to lunch to honor my birthday. And what a time we had. We laughed so hard I honestly thought they might ask us to leave. I didn’t know you could feel so good at one o'clock in the afternoon on a Tuesday. My sister even bought me a cup of the world’s most expensive and healthiest tea.

One of the most touching gifts this year was from my sister who lives in California. I don’t get to see her as often as I would like to and I love her very much. When she was a toddler she got into my Beatles Album collection and scribbled on the covers and broke one of the records. I was devastated! I secretly cried (because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings because she was so young). I thought I would never get over it. I LOVE THE BEATLES!

Well, last night after that same sister treated me to the most outstanding lobster dinner at the Blue Ginger (my favorite restaurant) she had them bring out a cake she had had made just for me. It was a big, funky cake with a record player (that looked like the one I had growing up) with a Beatles Album being played!!! I was  stunned. I was also touched. Then it got even better. When the waitress came back to cut and serve my creative delight… the cake was Red Velvet! I was over the moon knowing that my sister loves me that much! And, that I got my Beatles Album back.

Thinking about it now…by not getting overly upset with the desecration of my beloved record collection, all those years ago, I was putting out good karma. And, decades later my Beatles Album came back to me with love, sugar, and a sister’s smile.

Birthday - The Beatles

You say it's your birthday

It's my birthday too yeah

They say it's your birthday

We're gonna have a good time

I'm glad it's your birthday

Happy birthday to you…

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