Hello Isa. I am sitting on a floor covered with paper scraps of all kinds with Una. We are making things. She says hello. She introduced me to you via your writing here. I feel so grateful to get to “know you.” My goodness. She was right—you are a beautiful soul. It’s so evident.
This piece of yours here made me want to ask if you know of Kai Cheng Thom’s book “Falling Back in Love with Being Human.” Not only does the title alone come swiftly to mind after reading your words, but Kai is a wise teacher of mine: a somatic practitioner like me and a writer like you and trans like Bailey.
Thank you for sharing about ritual and grief and love and loss and the messy humanity that we all share. I feel softened and inspired.
Oh, thank you for writing me and the kind words! I hope I remembered to send Una a butterfly but will if I did forget. The holidays were tough and much slipped my brain. I have got to get this book and will order from local booksellers. Give my love to Una and thanks for reading! Clearly you are a lovely soul and so glad you are in the Harrington orbit!
Bai butterfly you sent is my constant companion. It's safely tucked in a good I carry everyday ( it is a book that charts my daily and monthly actions) Your words and your new found rituals to fall back in love with life land so softly on my heart. Know that I walk by your side ever day - you are never not on my mind. I so love you.
Your writing is beautiful, and your butterflies for Bailey are inspired. The two combined would make a lovely book, if you are ever inclined (I would certainly love a copy for myself and several for friends). Even though it has been years since our paths crossed in high school, please know that I read everything you write, and I relate to much of it. I once read that the two things that unite all mankind are suffering and love. I think of that often as I read your posts and suddenly feel close to you even though we've never been more than acquaintances. Thank you for sharing from your soul in such a powerful, authentic way.
I too have lapsed in my family religion but still practice prayer and meditation, so I am sending you a few prayers that you find moments of serenity and joy as you continue this journey. ❤️
Beautiful, Isa! Lighting a candle in the darkness is the most powerful ritual we have, real or metaphorical-- and creating offerings is close behind. We need our sacred rituals to illuminate our paths as we stumble through life. Here's what Dylan Thomas noted in his introduction to "Collected Poems"
"I read somewhere of a shepherd who, when asked why he made, from within fairy rings, ritual observances to the moon to protect his flocks replied: I'd be a damn fool if I didn't!" These poems, with all their crudities, doubts, and confusion, are written for the love of man and in praise of God and I'd be a damn fool if they weren’t."
If someone asks you why you start every new day with these acts of grace, just inform them you'd be a damn fool if you didn't.
Isa… the lighting of a single candle in the early morning before any light of day also reminds us that it is only in darkness that we can fully appreciate the light of one flame… when you look at that flame you will be reminded always of the light Bai still is in your lives….
Somehow, through the sanctity of ritual, this will, and clearly already has, help you fall in love with living again…
Hello Isa. I am sitting on a floor covered with paper scraps of all kinds with Una. We are making things. She says hello. She introduced me to you via your writing here. I feel so grateful to get to “know you.” My goodness. She was right—you are a beautiful soul. It’s so evident.
This piece of yours here made me want to ask if you know of Kai Cheng Thom’s book “Falling Back in Love with Being Human.” Not only does the title alone come swiftly to mind after reading your words, but Kai is a wise teacher of mine: a somatic practitioner like me and a writer like you and trans like Bailey.
Thank you for sharing about ritual and grief and love and loss and the messy humanity that we all share. I feel softened and inspired.
Oh, thank you for writing me and the kind words! I hope I remembered to send Una a butterfly but will if I did forget. The holidays were tough and much slipped my brain. I have got to get this book and will order from local booksellers. Give my love to Una and thanks for reading! Clearly you are a lovely soul and so glad you are in the Harrington orbit!
Thank you Isa, again for your writing which is a blessing for me.
The ritual of lighting candles has a long history in many spiritual traditions; https://www.dharmadrum.org/portal_d8_cnt_page.php?folder_id=61&cnt_id=282&up_page=1, including the lantern walks I did at my Waldorf school; https://www.instagram.com/waldorfgarden/p/DCUJzM3R5q9/?img_index=2.
Keep soaring with love and color 🦋
Bai butterfly you sent is my constant companion. It's safely tucked in a good I carry everyday ( it is a book that charts my daily and monthly actions) Your words and your new found rituals to fall back in love with life land so softly on my heart. Know that I walk by your side ever day - you are never not on my mind. I so love you.
Akex
I always stop (scrolling reading the news even painting) and read whatever you write Isa. It itself has become a ritual. Thank you.
The beauty of your words in the face of such profound grief, such unspeakable loss, are a wonder, Isa.
A gift.
Your writing is beautiful, and your butterflies for Bailey are inspired. The two combined would make a lovely book, if you are ever inclined (I would certainly love a copy for myself and several for friends). Even though it has been years since our paths crossed in high school, please know that I read everything you write, and I relate to much of it. I once read that the two things that unite all mankind are suffering and love. I think of that often as I read your posts and suddenly feel close to you even though we've never been more than acquaintances. Thank you for sharing from your soul in such a powerful, authentic way.
I too have lapsed in my family religion but still practice prayer and meditation, so I am sending you a few prayers that you find moments of serenity and joy as you continue this journey. ❤️
Isa, this is heartbreakingly beautiful, and your words are a salve to me. Thank you. <3
🦋 🦋 🦋 what a beautiful ritual 🦋 🦋🦋
Bai is watching you and helping you fall back in love w life!
You are a beacon of light🦋
Beautiful, Isa! Lighting a candle in the darkness is the most powerful ritual we have, real or metaphorical-- and creating offerings is close behind. We need our sacred rituals to illuminate our paths as we stumble through life. Here's what Dylan Thomas noted in his introduction to "Collected Poems"
"I read somewhere of a shepherd who, when asked why he made, from within fairy rings, ritual observances to the moon to protect his flocks replied: I'd be a damn fool if I didn't!" These poems, with all their crudities, doubts, and confusion, are written for the love of man and in praise of God and I'd be a damn fool if they weren’t."
If someone asks you why you start every new day with these acts of grace, just inform them you'd be a damn fool if you didn't.
Love that, Kev. “Damn fool if I didn’t“ - I will be using that one!
Isa… the lighting of a single candle in the early morning before any light of day also reminds us that it is only in darkness that we can fully appreciate the light of one flame… when you look at that flame you will be reminded always of the light Bai still is in your lives….
Somehow, through the sanctity of ritual, this will, and clearly already has, help you fall in love with living again…
I love this.
Really Beautiful ritual, Isa. Sending love xo
speechless.