Month: May 2020

Sunday, May 31st

Gearing Up?

Another week, another opportunity for contemplation and decision making!  It’s been exciting seeing our Paths of Heart labyrinth project taking shape and we can’t wait for you all to join us in a meditative walk!  As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, we are starting to plan for small, in-person gatherings – outside as we are able, and limited to 10 -15 participants at first. We’d love to get a feel for who is comfortable with this kind of scenario at this point in time and get other feedback and ideas you might have for us. We are considering Father’s Day, June 21st, for our first gathering. Our son Myles is returning from NYC this coming week, and this will give us some quarantine time to make sure all is well before we invite others over. Please take some time to contemplate this with us and make known your interest and thoughts. We look forward to seeing your shining eyes on your masked faces! As distressing events continue to swirl around us, we invite you to do your part to be a light in this world, standing for justice, peace, equality, kindness, and love.
Be well, safe, and of service,  Colleen and Mark

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

As noted above, we have begun to contemplate how we might achieve an in-person gathering, and meeting in the spaciousness of the backyard comes to mind.  It’ll take some doing, setting up a sound system and electronic keyboard, etc., but we are up for the task if it means we can finally have a gathering, albeit socially distanced and sans hugging!  Stay tuned for more definitive plans.
 We have also begun the Paths of Heart labyrinth project in the front yard, and though we had hoped for it to be a community project, it is being built mostly by our good friend and artist, Matthew Robinson  (in the picture at the top of this newsletter!). 
We have been enjoying our individual visits with folks on Sunday mornings!  It gives us some semblance of normalcy, and it feels great to feel connected in this way.  Mark and Colleen will continue to be available each Sunday on Facetime (or FB Messenger or Zoom if you prefer!) from 10:30 a.m. – noon (when we’d normally be hanging out with you at Paths of Heart), in  ~15 minute increments to simply chat or maybe share a poem or a tune with you that you love. Let us know (you can reply to this newsletter) what time (and platform) is best for you and we’ll confirm with that time or the closest available. Depending on demand, if all the slots fill up for this week, you’ll be first in line next week!  We’ll continue to do this till the next right thing appears! 

Gratitudes

Thanks for the notes of encouragement and love we receive in our inbox and through the mail each week! We miss you dearly and hope to see your (masked!) faces soon!

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.” ~ Roy T. Bennett

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.” ~ Alphonse Karr
“Today I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart, the peace that rests within my spirit, and the voice of hope that says all things are possible.” ~ Anonymous

Sunday, May 24th

A Mountain Respite

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!  We hope you all can do something fun, even as it might be vastly different from your typical Memorial Day festivities. Let us also take time to remember the origin of this holiday and to honor our military service members who died while serving our country.
The downward slope of the roller coaster returned this week and I (Colleen) was again feeling depressed and with a bit of a “short fuse”, flustered at even the simplest of tasks or decisions.  We decided a trip into the mountains might restore our souls, and boy howdy, did it!  We took a day trip up Poudre Canyon (Emma, too!) and were delighted, awed, and calmed by the many manifestations of Mother Nature.  The river was wildly raging, the wildflowers were an explosion of color, the birds entertained us with flight and song, and everything was again right with the world.  It was once again a reminder of how this earth still spins in all its granduer, and if we stay present to the moment, all is indeed well in the grand design.  We hope you are all hanging in there and that we will be able to be together soon.  We are contemplating having an outdoor gathering in the Paths of Heart backyard, maybe within the next few weeks!
Be well, friends,  Colleen and Mark

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

As noted above, we have begun to contemplate how we might achieve an in-person gathering, and meeting in the spaciousness of the backyard comes to mind.  It’ll take some doing, setting up a sound system and electronic keyboard, etc., but we are up for the task if it means we can finally have a gathering, albeit socially distanced and sans hugging!  Stay tuned for more definitive plans.
 We have also begun the Paths of Heart labyrinth project in the front yard, and though we had hoped for it to be a community project, it will probably be built mostly by our good friend and artist, Matthew Robinson.  We’ll post pictures soon.
We have been enjoying our individual visits with folks on Sunday mornings!  It gives us some semblance of normalcy, and it feels great to feel connected in this way.  Mark and Colleen will continue to be available each Sunday on Facetime (or FB Messenger or Zoom if you prefer!) from 10:30 a.m. – noon (when we’d normally be hanging out with you at Paths of Heart), in  ~15 minute increments to simply chat or maybe share a poem or a tune with you that you love. Let us know (you can reply to this newsletter) what time (and platform) is best for you and we’ll confirm with that time or the closest available. Depending on demand, if all the slots fill up for this week, you’ll be first in line next week!  We’ll continue to do this till the next right thing appears! 

Gratitudes

Thanks for the notes of encouragement and love we receive in our inbox and through the mail each week! We miss you dearly and hope to see your (masked!) faces soon!

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.” ~ Roy T. Bennett

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.” ~ Alphonse Karr
“Today I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart, the peace that rests within my spirit, and the voice of hope that says all things are possible.” ~ Anonymous

Sunday, May 17th

Seeds of Change

This past week has been a busy one, continuing to amend and prepare the soil in our vegetable garden beds for this season’s planting, hoeing short rows in the raised beds, and setting a variety of seeds in the furrows. As I cover the seeds and firm the soil around them, I am reminded of Mark Nepo’s “The Book of Awakening” and his anology of the seeds cracking open in the dark, surrendering to a process they can’t see. Each spring, I remain in awe as I watch those tiny, tender seedlings break through the hard crust of soil, searching..reaching for the light. Nepo says, “By nature, we are all quietly given countless models of how to give ourselves over to what appears dark and hopeless, but which ultimately is an awakening that is beyond all imagining. This moving through the dark into blossom is the threshold to God.”
We hold on to these hopeful words in this ever changing world, seeing the beauty through the chaos. No matter what is happening in our humanness, Mother Earth continues to teach us. The glories and wonderment of spring are still happening. We encourage you to take delight in it. The fragrance of the opening lilac blossoms in this morning’s gentle wind were swoon-worthy. The birds are still singing. “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” ~ Julian of Norwich

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Our youngest Paths of Heart Community member, Jasper, sent us this Hope poem to share with you. Thank you, Jasper!

As noted in recent newsletters, we’ve started something new on Sunday mornings. Mark and Colleen will be available each Sunday on Facetime (or FB Messenger or Zoom if you prefer!) from 10:30 a.m. – noon (when we’d normally be hanging out with you at Paths of Heart).
We’d love to visit with you individually in 10-15 minute increments to simply chat or maybe share a poem or a tune with you that you love . Let us know (you can reply to this newsletter) what time (and platform) is best for you and we’ll confirm with that time or the closest available. Depending on demand, if all the slots fill up for this week, you’ll be first in line next week! We’ll see how this goes and where it might lead…More is always being revealed!

Gratitudes

Thanks for the notes of encouragement and love we receive in our inbox and through the mail each week!

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.” ~ Roy T. Bennett

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.” ~ Alphonse Karr
“Today I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart, the peace that rests within my spirit, and the voice of hope that says all things are possible.” ~ Anonymous

Sunday, May 10th

Testing the Waters

Hello dear friends ~ How are you all doing this week? It’s amazing to me that the weeks go by so quickly, even as time also seems to be at a standstill. Life is full of those kinds of dichotomies these days…I woke from my Covid dreams with the birds at 4:44 this morning, similar to each morning this week. I try to go back to sleep, and am usually successful, though my mind is flooded with a myriad of thoughts about family, friends, unemployment, our next steps in this pandemic world. I ordered 3 more masks yesterday from a friend who is making them and donating all proceeds to a different organization each week, like the WHO Covid-19 Solidarity Fund, and the First Responders Children’s Foundation (thank you, Ruth and Hannah!). Wearing masks seems like such a small “sacrifice” to make as we start to re-enter public spaces and dip our toes into the waters of the larger community, and I am shocked and saddened by the anger and violence against this simple gesture that is surfacing in some parts of our country. The meme going around the interwebs these days conveys my feelings well on the matter: “The mask I wear to protect you recognizes and honors the mask you wear to protect me” ~ NAMASKE. (Thanks Beth and Stacey!). For me, it has nothing to do with fear, as some might suggest, but everything to do with respect and care for others. We are all in this together. I love you! Colleen

Yes, this time in the world is like no other that I’ve (ever) experienced so far (in 64 years)! There’s that Beatles song…”Will you still need me? Will you still feed me? When I’m sixty four…” and I’ve been singing it around the house, mostly to myself but sometimes out loud. And Colleen’s answer, in many humorous forms, is always YES! And I rewrite the lyrics in my head and serenade her with my best British-Ringo accent and affirm that I too, will (and do) need her AND appreciate her at (pick a number, but especially) 64! And that idea of human kindness flows out of my mind and heart in all directions to all aquaintances AND nonaquaintances…and reminds me that kindness and compassion is one of the greatest gifts we can share in any moment AND especially in moments like these! I will wear my mask for our mutual well being but please know that there is a big smile under it, that very much appreciates You ALL…Namaske! Mark

With gratitude and love and wishes for a Happy Mother’s Day,
C & M

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Our youngest Paths of Heart Community member, Jasper, sent us this Hope poem to share with you. Thank you, Jasper!

As noted in last week’s newsletter, we started something new last Sunday. Mark and Colleen will be available each Sunday on Facetime (or Zoom if you prefer!) from 10:30 a.m. – noon (when we’d normally be hanging out with you at Paths of Heart).
We’d love to visit with you individually in 10-15 minute increments to simply chat or maybe share a poem or a tune with you that you love . Let us know (you can reply to this newsletter) what time (and platform) is best for you and we’ll confirm with that time or the closest available. Depending on demand, if all the slots fill up for this week, you’ll be first in line next week! We’ll see how this goes and where it might lead…More is always being revealed!

Gratitudes

Thanks for the notes of encouragement and love we receive in our inbox and through the mail each week!

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.” ~ Roy T. Bennett

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.” ~ Alphonse Karr
“Today I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart, the peace that rests within my spirit, and the voice of hope that says all things are possible.” ~ Anonymous

Sunday, May 3rd

And Still, We Find a Way…

What a beautiful week it’s been. Even amidst all the sadness and hardship this virus has created in our world, people are adapting and persevering, and finding new, creative, and loving ways to connect and gather. Just this morning we watched a live feed of a wedding (Congratulations Valerie and Brandon!!) ~ very different than the one originally planned, but nonetheless indescribably beautiful. It brought laughter and tears and stirred memories of all our years together, not unlike if we’d been able to travel back east and gather in ceremony in person. The bride and groom’s parents watched from different parts of the country, and were “present” on phones set up on tripods so the couple could see them as well. It will no doubt be one of the most memorable weddings we will ever witness in our lifetimes (we wonder if they are still looking for the groom’s ring, which Kosey, the dog ring bearer, lost somewhere in the woods!)!
Yesterday, we participated in a memorial service for one of our Paths community members (our deepest condolences on the loss of your mother, Ann). We were able to provide music in person, though the number of participants was severely restricted, and only 2 people were allowed graveside. Still, maybe because of the restrictions, Betty’s Celebration of Life took on an even greater beauty and significance.
While on the way to the service, we were surprised at a stoplight, when a woman in the car in front of us jumped out of the driver’s seat and up to our window, handing us a small cup of treats with a May Day poem in it ~ “So tired of staying at home, You know we’d rather roam, But we bring you some cheer, ‘Cause May is here! Happy May Day!” To our astonishment and delight, it was actually someone we knew (thank you, Con and Rhonda!), though of course there was no time for words, as the light turned green! What sweet serendipity! And later in the day, we were delivered another May Day gift at our home ~ a viola plant, some flower seeds, a small stone with a message of hope and love, and another May Day poem (thank you, Becky!).
There’s one more poignant and beautiful moment in time we’d like to share from this past week. A group of masked friends gathered (socially distanced) outside the family home of a friend who has just entered hospice. We all signed a huge banner with messages of love and gratitude for all the joy our friend has brought us over the years. At 8 pm, we howled together (as has become the custom in recent weeks), then held up the sign, lit sparklers and candles, and danced wildly to live music (thanks, Dave!) outside our friend’s window (sending so much love B, J, and family!). What a privilege it was to take part in this touching ritual.
Oh, my…such an outpouring of love, kindness, and generosity we bore witness to this week. And we know there are stories like this happening and being shared every day all over the world. This is what we need right now ~ to shine our lights and be there for others in their time of need. As Carrie Newcomer reminds us, “We can do this hard thing” (sending love and light, Deb!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRGnftH_g4I

With gratitude and love,
Colleen and Mark

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

We’re going to try something new this week! Starting this Sunday, May 3rd, Mark and Colleen will be available each Sunday on Facetime from 10:30 a.m. – noon (when we’d normally be hanging out with you at Paths of Heart).
We’d love to visit with you individually in 10-15 minute increments to just visit or maybe share a poem or a tune that you love. Let us know (you can reply to this newsletter) what time is good for you and we’ll confirm with that time or the closest available. Depending on demand, if all the slots fill up for this week, you’ll be first in line next week! We’ll see how this goes and where it might lead…More is always being revealed!

Gratitudes

We are truly grateful for all the support we’ve had in the past 6 weeks in donations through the mail and on Paypal, even from folks who have never attended Paths of Heart in person. Wow!! It warms our heart that our gatherings and even just our newsletters are an important part of your week and that they bring you inspiration and solace during these days of isolation. Thank you!

This Tuesday, May 5th has been designated #GivingTuesdayNow, a new global day of giving and unity (in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday) serving as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Instead of asking for your donations to Paths of Heart (as you’ve been so generous already!), we invite you to give to other charities that are addressing more immediate needs of folks in this challenging time. For more information and ideas, visit https://now.givingtuesday.org/

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.” ~ Roy T. Bennett

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.” ~ Alphonse Karr
“Today I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart, the peace that rests within my spirit, and the voice of hope that says all things are possible.” ~ Anonymous