Life Is a Journey

"For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die... a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance..." -Ecclesiastes 3-22

Last week, the above Bible verse, became a reality. Birth and death occurred in the same period. I felt I was at a crossroads in life. The circle of life was happening in both a sad and joyful manner. You can read more about this here. 

In reference to death, my family paid tribute to my 94-year-old Uncle in a Central New York town, Rome, New York. A spirit of peace filtered through the church as I walked in. The church was as I recalled it from my childhood days when I attended Mass with my Nonnie. A few new pieces beautified the inside and outside of the building. A magnificent life-size Pieta, 1 of 100 created, was installed as a shrine in the back of the church. It reminded me that the passing of life can be a beautiful spiritual event. 

In the courtyard, my son noticed a bench with my grandmother's and grandfather's names inscribed. It was comforting to think that my Uncle John honored them and now it was his turn to be honored. A spirit of peace filtered through the church during the visiting hour, Mass, and burial.

It was touching to read my daughter's Facebook post about the birth of her third little girl and the passing of her great uncle, "It seems fateful that with her birth, as one angel comes to this earth, another one leaves it." The circle of life came full forward. The journey on earth is starting for our newborn, Lila Joy, while my uncle begins his journey in heaven. One of the caregivers at Francis House, the hospice setting, told my sister about a ritual they practice. When a resident expires, a window is opened so the spirit can move to a new home. She also said that my Uncle Johnny would be Lila's special angel. Each person, newborn and elder, embark on a spiritual journey comprised of many layers. 

life is a journey of faith with family:

daily

wonderings

challenges

joys

daily

pathways

leading

onward

daily

life is a journey of faith with family

©CVarsalona, 2023

Pause now to listen to Turn! Turn! Turn! by the Byrds that reiterates the Bible verse from Ecclesiastes. It is now time to turn my thoughts to the family's journey of birth, death, weeping, laughing, mourning, and dancing for the walk is upon us. It is also the turning of seasons from spring to summer. This time each year, we shall celebrate life with Lila Joy and remember an uncle who believed in the goodness of family life.

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I now turn my thoughts to Spiritual Journey Thursday. On the first Thursday of each month, the Spiritual Journey Thursday community meets to discuss a topic chosen by the host. This month, Dave at Leap of Dave is our host. Dave posed some questions about our spiritual journey for us to ponder. The nature photography digital graphic that I created shares part of a duck family I came upon in Central New York after the funeral. Family is important on our walk as is nature. It is a vital part of creation and every matter unto heaven. 

Today is also Poetry Friday. Each week, a community of poets from across the globe gather together to share poetic goodness. This week, Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect is our host.  

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I look forward to reading both Spiritual Journey Thursday and Poetry Friday writers' blog posts. Before I say goodbye, I would like to add a couple more digital inspirations/image poems that I worked on this week.

©CVarsalona, 2023, This Photo Wants To Be A Poem (Photo by Margaret Simon)

©CVarsalona, 2023, Designed in Graphite and FotoJet

in Response to Anastasia Suen's #smallpoem challenge

Blissful Beach Vacation

There’s nothing like a relaxing beach vacation to nurture my summer soul. The lull of the sea, the beauty of clouds billowing in the sky, and the warm sand bring me back to my happy place. Let me take you along on a visual journey to Cape May, America's oldest seaside resort. 

Imagine the wind blowing in your hair as the ferry cruises across the Delaware Bay. Riders find railings to watch the seagulls circulate overhead as the seafoam surfaces below. After landing, people travel into the historic town by the sea, filled with vibrant Painted Ladies, and Victorian houses, proudly displaying their architectural beauty with gingerbread trim and multiple colors that mostly date back to the late 18oos. A quick sightseeing tour can take you to the beach where magnificent mansions face the ocean.  

During our summer holiday, we listen to the sound of lapping waves rushing toward the shoreline, the giggling sounds of children, including my little grandgirls, chasing approaching waves in the sand. We watch swooping seagulls circle in toward the beach. My granddaughter shares her excitement as she spots a dolphin's fin pop up in the distance. I notice hot air balloons floating across the sky with their rider. Life is tranquil at the beach bringing a feeling of serenity. There is a sweet mix of beaching, boating, eating gourmet dinners and delicious breakfast foods, and pleasurable leisure time. The sunsets are magnificent and the ice cream stores are delicious. Cape May is the place where every member of the family can enjoy life. I certainly did as I spent time soaking in the sights and relaxing. 

Photos by Ben Prepelka
Scenic USA FAA Photography

painted ladies proud as peacocks

line up in fashionable style

waiting for ogling eyes to call

©CV, 2022, Cape May, NJ

Today is Poetry Friday and Dave is hosting for the very first time with an etheree poem. He adds an interesting statement at the end of his blog. "To me, poetry has been my way of finding castles among the ordinary things and even making ordinary things stick out like castles." I am now joining him and other poets at Dave's blog here.