Fellow Spiritual Journey Friends,
On this spring morning, I know it is the moment to "Make Time", to pause and reflect on my spiritual journey. There is one word that has guided me since the beginning of 2026.
Digital Collage for Opening Blog
Since New Year 2026, I travel the spiritual journey path with thoughts on my one word, restore, and a song, Restore My Soul, that reminds me to find my way.
Seasons of Restoration
one word floats
like snowflakes'
rhythmic flight
WINTER FLIGHT
chilled winds blow
earth freezes
tears hold grief
BEREAVEMENT
awaken
from winter's
loneliness
TRANSITION
spring's bounty
revives life
in chaos
GRIEF COUNSELING BEGINS
despite rain
hope opens
new fountains
MID-SPRING
music soothes
lifts grief's weight
sings with birds
SPRINGTIME WISH
hope swirls while
gardens bloom
life brightens
MAY REFRESMENT
grace, peace, and
memories
opens paths
MAY DAYS
summer wish
make time to
reflect, pause
SUMMER BREEZES APPEAR
lead me on
find new paths
summer smiles
ONWARD
©CVarsalona, May 2026, tricube sequence
Click here to listen to the song "Garden of Grace".
For a year, I passed through seasons of change. I listened to earth's movements, managed the walk (even after I fractured my foot last October), broke down as tensions stormed through life, grieved, held on to faith, and prayed in silence, noting that changes needed to unfold.
Where am I now?
I am ready to mingle, not be frightened by grief, and continue my spiritual journey. There is more to come, I am sure but for now, I feel the power of faith while holding on to hope.
Spiritual Journey 2026
Logo: Margaret Simon and Photo: Molly Hogan
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For those who walk with me on the Spiritual Journey, I am thankful. Our small community is filled with faithful companions and friends who believe in the spirit of life. I send wishes for a wonderful weekend. - Carol, June 2026 Spiritual Journey Host
I'm grateful for your nudge to us, Carol, to revisit our OLW. In my own whirlpool of grief and stumbling, I had forgotten...Your seasons of haiku feel like the microseasons of Kō (https://thedewdrop.org/a-year-of-ko/) -- How I love your line: Lead me on -- a prayer to keep taking one step at a time. Blessings to you, friend!
ReplyDeletePatricia, the word, whirlpool, is an amazing image to connect with grief . While engulfed in the whirlpool of grief, I felt the churning motion, the wetness of tears, and yet, there the Lord was always near by to strengthen my faith little by little. Thank you for the link to Ko (I never heard of this before you shared it), and the blessings you sent.
DeleteThank you, Carol, for sharing your faithful walk. My heart goes out to you for the many issues you have encountered. I'm glad that you are feeling a bit more confident and I send you best wishes for your future walk. Thanks also for this prompt, which was a good one and opens many doors.
ReplyDeleteI assume that this comment is from Karen Eastlund so thank you for your thoughts. Confidence is a gift from God so I will find my way through His hands that are powerful.
DeleteDear Carol - what a beautiful digital collage, and poems, reflecting your OLW, restore. Your "Seasons of Restoration" poem marking the stages after your loss is incredibly powerful - compelling in its lyrical nature, and also in the way it invites us to see the way grief and adjustment make such patterns in our lives. Recognizing this is important. When I think of the word "restore," David's psalm comes to mind: Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation. We long for the Lord's restoration. Spring reminds us that He is actively working and will one day bring it to full fruition. Thank you for hosting us this month and for this lovely, hope-filled, faithful offering.
ReplyDeleteFran, loss lingers throughout my days but I am noticing more ways to push grief away from its nagging shadowing. I woke this morning to indulge in our SJT journey. Each person shares a way to continue the walk. I wish we could all be together to enjoy the moments of spirituality in person. Perhaps, a zoom meeting would be fun. Ramona and I discussed this a few years ago. I will hold on to David's psalms.
DeleteI am so heartened by your tender poem. In my experience, the hardest part of grief is moving forward, both literally and figuratively, and I love how your poem moves through the seasons of restoration (as you/He restoreth your soul). Beautiful, Carol, thank you so much for sharing this. I also love the craft of the two columns, with the seasons on the right, so perfect!
ReplyDeleteMona, thank you so much for arriving here and commenting. Restoration of my soul is a long-time healing but I am ready for that challenge. AND the seasons move on! I wonder what they will bring.
DeleteCarol, I love how you take us through the seasons of your restoration. Sometimes a journey such as yours takes long. There are so many stages to go through and there is no rule as to how long any one will take. As winter melts into spring and spring into summer, I see you embracing the light that is ahead of you and guiding you. May this light continue to lead you forward and bring you warmth and happiness. Thank you for hosting this month. Bob
ReplyDeleteBob, my grief counselor has shared the measurement of time grief finds its home in human souls. There is a gray sky this morning but the light of the SJT colleagues' posts has brought me an inner flame. Warmth, happiness, and hope are by my side.
DeleteWhat a wonderful and reflective post. To not be afraid of grief is a spiritual strength we all need. You showing your path toward that is inspirational. May you continue to grow and feel the love and gratitude of us, your friends. xo
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for your comment. I felt like I was on a somewhat even keel this weekend but grief snuck in again. At this point, I feel OVERWHELMED (too much to do and not enough time to take care of what needs to be done). Oh well, I need to move on and I shall. I hope you are getting excited about the end of school. Every educator needs a break after a long year.
DeleteYour call to reflect on our OLW is an important one (especially since I had forgotten mine).. Thanks for hosting and sharing your grief journey with us. As always, your words and the songs you share gladden my heart. It's powerful to share our journeys with each other and you've done it beautifully with your Seasons of Restoration. Thanks for these words "I feel the power of faith while holding on to hope," and for your friendship.
ReplyDeleteRamona, do you remember we talked about a Zoom meet-up with our SJT community? I would like to do this similar to what I did with NYED Chat a decade or more ago. One-half hour or longer chat would be refreshing. What do you think? We could come up with question prompts and host. When I have time (???) I will ask Margaret what she thinks after you mull over the idea. You are a dear writing friend. Thank you.
DeleteCarol, such beautiful ways of showing the pain and the healing of grief - what a process! Yours is a message I have needed to hear, and I can feel the pulse of lifeblood and healing in the three syllable beats of your lines (like the Trinity at work). I find myself wavering between anger, sorrow, and regret even as I approach the one-year anniversary of Dad's death coming up on June 13. I like the way you reflect on your OLW and give it teeth in your life.
ReplyDeleteKim, your father's one-year anniversary. I pray for your peace. As my grief counselor says, as the anniversary nears, grief finds its home inside the griever. I can attest to that happening. Stay strong and think of the memorable, happy times. The pastor of my church sent me a Mass Card soon after Richard passed on. It turned out that the Holy Thursday service was on that date. I was so pleased to have my husband's name mentioned as a special intention. Find what will fill your heart with joy on June 13th. It will help. My pray will be lifted up for that day of peace. I was invited to a 5O year anniversary of friends on the 13th so I will remember you. It just happens that it would have been my 50th Anniversary at the end of July but I am going to celebrate any way. Blessing to you and you family.
DeleteThank you for being so open and vulnerable. Grief is such an interesting part of our life. may you continue to find peace.
ReplyDeleteJone, thank you for adding your comment. Grief moves into my mind and emotions at will just when I think I am on a somewhat even keel. BUT I am determined to move forward. May you have a wonderful week.
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