October: Pink Strength, Legends, and Moonflowers

IMG_8011

Dear Reader:

One knows when a story is supposed to be told by how the pieces of prose all come together at the right moment, the magical moment.

Saturday afternoon I heard two voices calling from the front door (while I was typing away in the computer room-working on yesterday’s blog.) It was Doodle and Lassie. They had just returned from eating lunch at Summerville’s favorite tea room- Time Well Spent.

garden08_fs

They love talking to Eve (owner) about their mutual love of flowers and they try to have lunch there on Saturdays if their schedules coincide.

 

Lassie and Doodle explained to Eve (this past Saturday) why they had missed the Saturday before (The Race for the Cure) and suddenly Eve disappeared.

She returned holding two sheets of paper and she told them she had something she had written awhile back to share with them. Eve then explained that she loved moon flowers and had two friends fighting breast cancer who loved them also.

One day Eve felt inspired to bring the dual themes together under the central idea of “Strength”… in tribute to her friends’ on-going fight. It was a marvelous concept and a generous gift of time, talent, and love in honor of their friendship.

After finishing the prose…without hesitation, Eve handed the girls her copy of the story. Doodle and Lassie told her that I would love it and probably want to share the poem with all of you loyal readers. Eve graciously gave her permission. So without further adieu, here it is. (After all….Halloween is the time for myths and legends)

Legend of the Moon Flower

I will tell you a story from legends of old

These seeds were once more precious than gold

Passed from Goddess to Goddess

…Or so I’ve been told. 

IMG_7987

Alas, as oft happens, after a time

Legends turn into fairy tale rhyme

And the beauty and magic it was once was about

Became secrets that were hidden within and without

And tragically…Goddesses were having self-doubts.

IMG_7726 (1)

So as Goddesses, we answered the call

Sending invitations to one and all

No matter the color, the size, or belief

What we wanted were those who would fight to the teeth

To bring back the magic from days of old

And banish the apathy which now had a hold. 

IMG_7691 (1)

So…if you a true Goddess be

Then you may have your choice of three

But if this is your very first time

Then you may only ask for one of mine

You can’t purchase or buy them, no matter the wealth

For the price of this magic is belief in yourself. 

IMG_7923

So gather ye Goddesses far and near

And think of all that you hold dear

Then plant your seeds with this in mind

And behold the wonder you will find.

IMG_8013 (2)

Your seed will grow and wrap around

Rising higher from the ground

Till on a star-filled summer night

The magic’s revealed….Oh what a sight!

Blossoms that open their face to the moon

Yet retire from the sun-their beauty gone too soon.

IMG_7683 (1)

You may think that this is as far as the story may go

But the rest lies with you, now that you know.

I told you these seeds can’t be bought or sold

And how they come from ancient magic of old.

IMG_7922

They are waiting for you to commit with your heart

They are waiting for you to embrace your shared part

In the belief that all who make up mankind

Have one purpose – to love- (It’s what He had in mind)

IMG_7690 (2)

So lest you think you naught but woes

Go out each night to see how it grows

Then find your power deep inside

and let it spread both far and wide.

For you are a Goddess of STRENGTH and MIGHT

Portrayed each evening in blossoms of white.

……………………………….

What a creative story of prose to bring in the very best elements of October….Pink (breast cancer awareness month); Strength- the will to fight health obstacles along our path; Moon flowers (as told in a magical narrative legend.) *Thank you Eve for sharing your talent with all of us….especially to those warriors still fighting breast cancer each day!)

I got the “Wink” on how to pull all these elements together when I went to take a photo of my one and only moon flower blossom blooming Saturday night. It was a little after six and the sun broke through the scattered clouds turning my back yard into a sea of pink….including the back fence and moon flower bloom. A “Wink” of gratitude. I added an extra dash of pink tint and viola…our title photo!

So until tomorrow…Let us all remember that the most important things in life can’t be bought but must be discovered within us…sprinkled with just a little fairy dust! (Like pink trees of hope)

6de745c7c2d653fed7374e44bd01593e

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

I found a pretty pink frame to immortalize our 2015 Race for the Cure team! Another successful gathering and goal-making group!

IMG_8016

The doorbell rang yesterday and it was Linda Carson, my favorite nurse and friend, with a “surcie” for me. I can hardly wait to find a fall flower worthy of this beautifully painted floral “home.” Thank you so much Linda!!!!!!!

IMG_8017

This photo brings back memories…I found the radio flyer ‘first trike’ for Eva Cate at Vaughn Hardware in Ridgeville five years ago….no pedals…just sit and use your feet to manuveur….Jakie has backwards down…still working on the forward motion.

IMG_20151025_184722

Rutledge looks like quite the man around town in his “pink cadillac”…just hope he doesn’t get stopped for texting while driving. Thanks Rutledge for choosing the pink breast cancer car for getting your hair cut in.

IMG_9751

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to October: Pink Strength, Legends, and Moonflowers

  1. Cindy Ashley says:

    Did you see the little story about moonflowers in the comics section yesterday?

  2. Becky Dingle says:

    NO….I will go check and see if I can find it…..thanks….are you still in Spain or home?

Leave a Reply