Dear Reader:

I have never been much of a hot tea, coffee, even hot cocoa drinker…I just prefer cold drinks as a whole. But my “Dolphin Lady” Linda Karges Bone convinced me of the importance of drinking hot green tea (for my immune system) after my diagnosis with “little c.” I did come to enjoy my tea time quite regularly back then.

When I came across this meditation of thoughts and blessings (conveyed through a morning ritual of a hot tea and a lit candle) to brighten the path before us each day….I loved the creative imagery behind it.

This meditation comes from Helen Moore. It was published in Awakin Weekly  recently.The series of blessing connects all the links to the past until we get to the origin of the discovery of things we take for granted today. A great history lesson in itself… with just the right amount of spirituality thrown into the blend.

“I Awaken Before Dawn”

Helen Moore

I awaken before dawn, go into the kitchen and fix a cup of tea.
I light the candle and sit in its glow on the meditation cushion.
Taking my cup in both hands, I lift it to my Lord and give thanks.
The feel of the cup against my palms brings the potter to mind
and I offer a blessing for his hands.

I give thanks for the clay, the glaze and the kiln.
I take a sip and follow the warmth into my body.
I offer a blessing for those who brought electricity to my home,
who dug the ditches for the lines,
who built my home and put in the wires,
who made my tea kettle and brought me water to fill it.

I take a sip and bless the people in India or China who grew the tea,
cultivated it, picked and dried the leaves, took it to market,
handled it through the many transactions to bring it to my home.
I take a sip and bless those people in Florida, California or Central America who grew the tree that blossomed into flowers.

I give thanks for the warmth of the sun and the rain which turned the blossoms into lemons,
and I bless the hands that picked the fruit, sorted it, touched it as it traveled from the orchard to my table.
I take another sip and bless the hands of those who provided the sugar
which sweetened the tea, harvested the cane, processed it,
bagged it and sent it on its way to me.

I take another sip and lift my cup in gratitude as I feel the interconnection of my body now with theirs,
my blood now with theirs,
my bones now with theirs,
and my heart fills with love for all of creation.

I give thanks.

………………………

We are all connected in this world.

So until tomorrow… from a cup of tea to a bite of bread…we have a whole new world to thank for each part of the process in bringing these important ingredients to our breakfast tables. Let us never forget (as people living in a country of abundance) all the unseen faces of people around the world who make our lives more blessed… more than others can  imagine in their dreams. We must remember to reciprocate so all our brothers and sisters get a ‘taste’ of the earth’s bounties we should share.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*Speaking of abundance and feeling connected….Mollie, Rutledge, and Lachlan came to visit Boo Boo yesterday. Mollie took Lachlan and they went to get a little Christmas shopping done while Boo gladly stayed home and took Rutledge to the Laurel Street Park to play and be a child again.

In the midst of playing Rutledge looked up and spotted “the digger”…it was love at first sight! He learned to take turns with Miles, another little boy in love with the “digger” too. (His mom and I agreed that the park should take a big chunk of land, dig it out…adding several more “diggers” around the massive circle. Every child just wants to dig in the dirt..that simple!

When I could finally pull him away from “The Digger” …he went sliding down (backwards) and going in circles.

Mollie and Lachlan got home minutes after we did…we  ate lunch and then mommy modeled some vintage dresses she got for 75% off ….putting each one in the twenty-some payment category…wonderful for parties…a little “Jackie O” going on. Great shopping deals!

Rutledge and I tried on our “funny glasses” while Mollie and Lachlan smooched a little.

Lachlan is the child who doesn’t sleep…Mollie says that if he and/or she get six hours out of twenty four it has been a good day/night… and the six hours is broken into two or three hour increments.

She is right….Rutledge fell fast asleep sitting with me in the rocking chair (after lunch) and was out like a light while Lachlan just played on….He never stopped for even a quick wink. I get tired just looking at him in constant motion….he is famous for his “mid-air crocodile turn” (wrestling move)…. so one has to hold Lachlan tight or he is flying through the air.

*It was so nice at Laurel Street Park yesterday….all the moms, dads, and grandparents there shared one thing in common….we aren’t ‘serious’ shoppers….but would rather be playing with our little ones.

It was great to see Ellen Styles, her beautiful girls, Ginny and Lindsey, and her beautifully blessed grandchildren at the park enjoying the day.

I met a new friend, Miles’s mother Lindsey Fox, who was once in the Air Force and stationed in Iraq. She said she is now living out her dreams of having a family and teaching dance (Zumba)….It is a good place in her life…with a deep understanding and appreciation of just how lucky we are to live in this country . Great to meet you Lindsey! You make America proud!