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Showing posts with label Deep Peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deep Peace. Show all posts

Saturday, 5 May 2012

Slowly slowly

A new country and eventually a new home. That's where things are at with our family at the moment. We've moved and while the settling in continues, it's important to me that Pip remains a part of our journey.

Most of our things are in storage and in packing boxes for now. But the one thing I could bring with me of Pip's, which was really too precious to leave up to chance and moving companies, is the handwork I'm doing for the patches of her quilt.

So in a plain yellow A4 envelope went the patches, the embroidery template, the embroidery hoop, thread, needle and scissors. I wanted to bring it with me as part of my hand luggage, but because of the needle and scissors, had to put it through checked in luggage. Hoping and praying madly that it would arrive safely. Particularly as our bags were checked through to our final destination while we spent some time in transit elsewhere in between. 

The angels must have been watching over it because our bags were there on the conveyor belt when we got off. Thank goodness. Anything else could have been replaced, but not this. I suppose in the grand scheme of things I could have started again, but it wouldn't have been the same.

Yesterday I pulled out the patch I'd started on and finished a few more letters. I feel like it's taking me ages to get each letter done. That's probably because I'm being very careful that everything is finished properly. I need it to look good on the surface, but also be strong enough to last the distance as part of a quilt that will no doubt be loved to death and be washed many times as part of it's lifetime.




I feel a bit frustrated that it's taking me so long to get into the rhythm again, but I know that I will find my groove again once I get going. 

As I was working on it, I started to think about the space in our new home the finished quilt will eventually live in. I'm inspired by Carly Marie's post on creating a special space in your home for your child/ren and the warm and lovely cosy feeling the picture of the space she has created for her son, Christian in her home evokes. One of the things I was really looking forward to during my pregnancy with Pip was creating her nursery. While it's not the same, nothing will ever be the same as far as that is concerned - I want our home to have a space for ALL our children. That is something that is very important to me. 

It could just be a little corner or even a little picture or piece of artwork that symbolises something meaningful about Pip, but it will make a difference to me to know that she's in our home symbolically, if not in person. I like the idea of a place to curl up and read or listen to music while I sit and work on other projects. Hmm so many ideas, I would love to see what other people have come up with also. Sounds like another afternoon on Pinterest gathering ideas! :) 

Friday, 16 September 2011

Deep peace in my heart

Today I had to go to a work thing. It was far away, I was feeling very fragile because I'd had an emotional day yesterday and the topic of the day was not a pleasant one. I was bracing myself for a difficult day ahead.

After driving for a long time, I got there, settled in and the day began. In Australia, we formally begin events with a "Welcome to Country" where usually recognition of the traditional custodians of the land is formally made. Traditionally this is done by an Aboriginal elder, but usually it is respectfully made by a representative of the people leading an event. A verbal message such as, "I acknowledge that this meeting is being held on the traditional lands of the [insert local Indigenous group's name] people" is said and the message usually goes on to respectfully acknowledge elders past and present, who are the custodians of the land on which we stand and meet today.

It's also necessary (and respectful) for the speaker who immediately follows the welcome to country to provide a response. The person leading the day's event was an Irish lady and she responded with the Gaelic blessing. It wasn't new to me, actually I'd first heard it many years ago and loved it then. But today, it was almost as if each word and each phrase became tangible and burrowed it's way into my heart. It felt like magic in the air and the words brought tears to my eyes.

I knew right then and there that I'd found the missing element that I had to add to Pip's quilt (which I didn't even know I was missing). I spent some time researching the Gaelic blessing and found a few different versions of it. In the end, I decided to go with a mish mash of several different versions.

I can't say why this blessing affected me so much. As she was reciting each phrase, it was almost as if I could feel each element reaching out and wrapping it's peace around my heart. I love how it's focused on the energies of nature and is so lovely and gentle. Plus hubby is 1/5th Irish and every bit of Irish counts, right?

This is the version of the Gaelic Blessing I decided on for Pip's quilt.


The Gaelic Blessing: Deep Peace  


Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the sleeping stones to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Deep peace of the light of the world to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you
Deep peace to you


I love the thought of sending my girl deep peace, but when this quilt is completed and I'm able to wrap myself up in it, I know it will also bring my heart deep peace.

Thank you so much Universe and Irish lady for bringing my heart your deep peace, just when I needed it.