Grace

Happy end of March and Happy April Fools’ Day!

We participated in Earth Hour, turning off all lights for one hour, though we turned off the lights and never (well, the next day we did) turned them back on. We started out with a soft rhythmic walk. I wanted to knock on people’s doors with their lights on and let them know it was Earth Hour, but I remembered the quote that I need most: “Each person is merely fullfilling their own destiny; allow them to do so.” (David Hawkins)

My Hubby and I sat in our upstairs “Sitting Area” by candlelight, talking and slathering chips with French Onion Dip (H.E.B grocery makes the best).

Earlier that day, I went to the state (mental health and mental retardation) hospital and visited people with diagnoses. Labels. All the people I talked to seemed comfortable with their diagnoses, but not with having to stay there. I signed a paper saying I wouldn’t name anyone, but I met some wonderful people.

Even behind labels of schizophrenia, bipolar, delusional, they were people like me with fears, hopes, dreams, desires, skills, joys, pasts, futures, sadness, laughter. We ate, drank and laughed together.

Cook, gardener, lyricist, guitarist, musician, poet, big brother, comedian are only a few more “labels” that could be given to people there.

I was excited to get to go to the hospital, a little nervous waiting for the patients to come in the rec area, but interested, enchanted when I met some of them.

Thank you God for giving me this opportunity. Thank you all that were there for your patience, sharing and vulnerability.

An added bonus, I heard my note

“Somewhere deep inside there is a sound that is mine alone, and I struggle daily to hear it and tune my life to it. Sometimes there are people and situations that help me to hear my note more clearly; ” Rachel Naomi Remen

Thank you for helping me hear my note.

May you hear your sound that is yours alone.