Wow, it’s been a rush of weeks since I’ve last written here. Without referring back to my last post, I recall signing off saying something about how it will be interesting to see what comes next and, THAT was in March!
It’s been a fast few months, I’ve flown over the Rockies to Alberta and have driven through them on my way back to the Coast… While I was in my quiet month of meditation and contemplation I realized I had some things to do that really needed doing… and have now been done!
For almost 3 years ( as of June ‘09) I’ve been living out of a suitcase or more true, a backpack, and just about all my personal belongings have been in storage. This is not the first time in my life I’ve had things in storage, it’s actually happened fairly regularly… something to do with being nomadic I guess, or perhaps, a seeker, but this time is one of, if not THE longest of times…
Once considered, that can lead one to wonder, just what am I hanging on to this stuff for if I can live that long not needing it…? And, if my heart wants to return to Africa and “live” there for large chunks of any given year for the next several, surely I can put most of my belongings to better use here!
And how about Beloved Caleb…? Earlier this year, I received a letter from the people who have lovingly cared for him for many months by adopting him into their family, saying they could no longer do that.
It was time to take action, whether I knew what to do or not, so I booked a flight to Edmonton, grateful to have just about enough air miles to get me there, and flew off as Winter turned into Spring, well, at least according to the equinox date on the calendar!
Beautiful Caleb, lovely friends and white snowy forest trails greeted me with great enthusiasm and I settled in to a routine of many walks amidst hours of sorting through stuff. Four weeks later, following several deliveries to “WINGS” (Women In Need Growing Strong, an emergency shelter for women and children freeing themselves from abuse), “Goodwill” and the “Take It Or Leave It” shop at the dump, I rented a Uhaul and packed into it treasures from Mom and Dad – things I’ll pass on to their grandchildren one day – along with all my photos from birth till now, keepsakes from my journey’s through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Peru, Australia, Tahiti and Africa, (which really consist of lots of rocks, shells, wood and a few woven cloths and batik’s), and a whole trunk of cards and artwork from all of the children/friends and family who have graced my life over the years. Finally the day came to depart, so, with Caleb snuggled in upfront with me on his own special comfy makeshift bed we headed back to the northern land where he and I first met!
The friends I had called first on the very day Caleb wandered up my driveway after having been thrown out of a van in 2004, have since moved out of the city to an acreage near the river he and I used to swim in. When I reconnected with them recently and explained what was going on for us they rapidly responded saying they would be so happy to welcome Caleb (and me, to visit him) anytime, forever! So perfect! Through these years I’ve been asking for a friend for Caleb, a buddy to romp and play and live with… and as it happened, these dear friends have acquired a beautiful golden retriever a couple years ago, literally named “Buddy!” All So GOOD!!!
So, now I’m back at the Coast, there’s a little more to do regarding the remaining stuff I call my belongings, and within the next 3 weeks or so it’ll all be done and nestled safe, warm and dry in my brother’s crawl space!
Where’s my heart/head at now? There’ve been some publications recently on the topic of “world donor charity and aid”, philanthropy, empowerment, investment, corruption, etc, that are speaking to the necessary and timely transformations taking place everywhere these days… “Dead Aid ~ Why Aid Is Not Working And How There Is A Better Way For Africa” by Dambisa Moyo and “The Blue Sweater ~ Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World” by Jacqueline Novogratz. I’m about to hunker down with both books, feeling grateful and affirmed to find myself in alignment with what is being realized in the mainstream concerning the whole topic. Of course, most people still seem to spend most of the time talking about business and the catchy phrase “social entrepreneurs” with little if any mention of millions of orphaned children or Love, but I get it…
So, for me, right now, life is about patience, research, clarity and manifesting with purpose. I’ve (just about) cleared my slate, I’m (just about) ready to move, more or less unencumbered, in any direction now. It’s feeling that by “Summer” the energies will come together and I’d say I’ll be planning to leave on my next journey to Africa within the next couple months after that! We’ll see what comes next! 🙂
With Love,
Cath xo