Hollyhocks - Seed of Life

Several years ago my father gave me some hollyhock seeds which I planted and they never seem to bloom. In fact, I forgot about them. Until this past year, I had a little plant I could not recall what it was but I left it alone. It grew and yet seemed stifled in the small pot. So I moved the mysterious plant into fresh soil and a bigger pot and it grew so tall, I called it my jack in the bean stock plant. My good friend Barbara came by and said it appears to be a hollyhock, however no blooms. And then, one day I woke up in the early morning, as I always do and I glanced outside my window and there were the flowers of the hollyhock. Every morning for the past 4 weeks, I wake up to more blooms. Today, this beautiful flowering plant lifts my spirit and I say THANK YOU DAD for the seeds of LIFE!

Love, Heal and Forgive

Recently I took a break from my day and went to walk the Mercy Sister's labyrinth in Burlingame. In walking a labyrinth one take the journey towards the center in hopes to let go of the "stuff" of the mind and heart that weighs us down and in my case keeps me from being present. My summer has been filled to the brim, so much so, as I feel I am racing from one person to the next and not fully present to anyone. During my walk on this maze with meandering back and forth, I was able to clear my head and as a result I experienced a peaceful calm. I entered into the center where, in this case, a beautiful rock formation sits. I placed my hands on the rock, it was warm and suddenly almost instantaneously my mind was fully conscious to love, to heal and to forgive. It could mean anything to anyone however for me it is gentle reminder that each day and moment we can love, heal and forgive ourselves and one another. I only hope that I can keep this presence of love, healing and forgiveness present to all I encounter today.