On the Wings of Isis

Here's a link to the BlogSpot post with my contribution!

https://thegirlgod.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-love-of-isis-restores-by-hazel.html?m=1

5 to 10 Years and Poof!

Just some observations about groups.  This blog is my direct observation of covens, businesses, and nonprofits.   They all start out with the best of intentions.  A person or small group decides to gather regularly to celebrate,  worship, or provide a service.   People see the fun and good and flock to the organization.   Things grow rapidly.  This is where the fall begins.   The combination of growth without structure to keep the growth sustainable, short attention spans,  and greed seem to be the three factors that end the group.

Greed is a nasty thing.   From the local level where you see members disputing with class leaders whether or not fees for classes were paid or services rendered as agreed upon to the national level where the charleton comes in as a manager/fundraiser who promises growth to help others.  Recent examples include a charity that provided assistance to people injured as a result of service to their country and a political figure who established a charitable organization after leaving office.   Both organizations initially did wonderful things that greatly helped people.   They built reputations that couldn't be questioned.   Their good names brought more donors and volunteers.  Then those of questionable character arrive.  The result?  Injured veterans are without medical care and housing for those with injuries that can't heal are no longer being built.  Haiti is still without infrastructure to provide a better quality of life for their people. 

What about when greed isn't involved?  Growth of events and groups requires growth of people to maintain enjoyable events and provide quality services.   Here's where things get complicated.   People with young children and elderly/frail parents literally don't have enough hours in the day to earn a living,  show up for events, and provide care.    What happens when growth brings in so many people with diverse interests and needs?   It's impossible to be all things to all people.    Does ego raise it's ugly head to stop growth?  Is it wrong to say I built this and it continues along the path of my original vision?  I don't think that is wrong because your creation is your creation.   The original need will exist for others so maintain your original container.  It's beautiful when people realize that the original plan is valid yet needs to be modified to serve even more people.   I'm a big believer in honoring the succession of teachers.   Honoring the succession of teachers is a Dianic belief that recognizes that a person or a group has brought you much needed transformation and their wisdom is still valid even though it is time for you to learn from new teachers.  

All of this goes back to a theme that has been with me for about a year.   The theme is to look around you to see what is needed to improve the quality of life around you.   Is it more celebrations?  Is it more service?  If you are a carpenter and your neighbor is disabled and you build a ramp you have just provided an increase in the quality of life.   Maybe celebrations will increase because the neighbor with the physical limitations is someone who enjoys grilling.   Now you have provided a way back to enjoyment that could very well be also a path to a good community meal to children in single parent homes without extended family.   See how good deeds are like dominos?

I understand that all of this requires the ability to recognize and the desire to act as well as ability to act.  Then you get into whether or not someone is willing to accept help do it as often as possible.   Please continue to teach, build, and help those around you!  Local efforts create global solutions just like the ripples of the small pebble thrown into the pond.   Be a catalyst that contributes towards hate and division going poof in five to ten years.

Blessings on your journey!

Copyright January 2020

Reflections at the Autumn Equinox

This is a time of balance.   We balance that which brings us pain with that which brings us joy.   Keep in mind that the Earth only experienced balance two days a year at the Autumn and Spring Equinox.   We can't expect perfection in our balance.   We hover or float near the empowering and happy or challenging and stressful.   I wish to reflect to you that there is much stress in the community about the lack of balance.    Our greatest challenge is to recognize that failure,  mistakes,  and sometimes the why didn't we see that coming are all part of what moves us along our path.    Sometimes, through our own actions or inactions we have to f@#k something up beyond all chance of repair so that we can recognize where we truly are standing.   Once we have dusted off and determined where we are we then show up to our tribe.   Your tribe are the people who accept you for what you are,  where you are with compassion.   It's possible you walk among multiple tribes.  You are a part of a blood family,  a chosen family,  a religious family,  a work family,  a hobby family etc.  You belong in each of these houses.   Your home, your spirit family are the ones from each of these houses that hold a special place in your heart.   Remind your tribe they have a place at your home during troubled times.   I'm not suggesting that we take on each other's work just reminding that it is important to say I accept you in your broken,  troubled,  and confused space during troubled times.  It's okay to hold someone's hand as you travel along your Path.

Copyright September 2018

Rising During Descent

I've discovered that being a Priestess when the Goddesses of Discord and Chaos dance isn't for the faint of heart.   We support others during their time in crisis.    When the day comes that you realize every skill that you have artfully mastered is an ineffective tool in your war chest and always will be how do you continue?

I'm entering a portion of my Path that is overgrown with the razor sharp thorns of dementia.   This area of my Path can't be shaped up with pruning shears and a string trimmer.   I will make this journey with one I love.   I have to find a way to hold a hand that I will never want to let go as it gradually slips away. There is no other choice.

How does this coping thing work?  Do I let others know the available light for us is waning?  Will my attempts to keep my charge in the best possible place put others in the worst possible place for them?  Does she feel the love and comfort I send?  How do I know if my decisions are what is best?  How do I keep the light shining even though it can't be seen?  How do I share the descent with others and not cause them pain?  How do I know when it's time to step back and say I must rest for now so others can add their footprints to the Path?  Will others who have walked this Path be brought back to darkness if I seek their guidance and wisdom? 

I have no answers but I do have Sisters who have walked this Path,  Sisters who are walking this Path and those I love that I desperately want to protect from the pain.    It's going to take the whole community to help me through this one.  This area of my Path is so foreign to me.    I'm not familiar with being the one who needs help.  I'm one of the community who provides the help.    I am blessed with a support system that has always been a source of love,  support,  and compassion for so many.     During my journey on this Path one of the lessons I must learn is how to receive so that I can continue to give.

Tonight as Florida is in the grips of an ecological crisis,  California is in flames, Americans are looking for reasons to hate other Americans because "they" aren't "us" so surely they must be an enemy,  and appearance is valued above genuine my prayer is that my Mother will always feel and recognize the love and admiration we all have for her.

Goddess Bless!

I'm Baaaack!!!!

So after a lengthy pause in my writing I have decided to put fingers to the keyboard and step out of the shadows and back onto the public Path.     Don't interpret shadows as a bad place for me because I have strong nocturnal leanings.    I was reminded yesterday about the importance of making an influence on just one person for the better.     An important part of the Dianic Tradition is that we learn from each other.   I'm not claiming to be a source of infallible knowledge.    I will probably misstep my entire way back into the arms of the Goddess but that's okay because we are on this journey together and we are going to have a good time!   It's good to re-emerge stronger,  wiser,  and refocused.    May my musings inspire you or at least give you something to smile at as the journey continues.....

A New Day, A Full Moon, & Reminders

This day is done and the Moon is a little over twenty four hours from being full.    It's amazing how much a gentle reminder can bring inspiration in the face of exhaustion.   My body is full much like the growing Moon.   Physical ailments are reminding me sacred self care is in order.   When I get busy helping others I forget to help myself.    Seeing a picture of Lindsey reminded me of a number she gave me.    In her final hours she was quietly reaching out.   Later this evening a dear friend of the family commented on the amount of strength women have especially when faced with disaster.   The new problem solvers will soon be here.   It is a new day.  Command and Control.... I have returned to the Path... I bring every ounce my life force... The Priestess rises!!!!

Peace and the Priestess

So I am settling in learning another form of counseling.   Today's message is Peace.   The guidance for the card remindes us to focus on the fact that only love is real.   Powerful message in that it speaks to a way of life.   Make no mistake about it, in times of need this Priestess will pick up a weapon and fight.   There are so many opportunities to learn and grow by helping others.   My new counseling tools are reminding me of the gentle aspect of the healing process.   I am reminded that better outcomes are born from acts of love.  The recent 1000 Year Flood that brought destruction on a large portion of my beautiful and much loved South Carolina also brought much love and peace.  Our people picked up themselves and extended a hand to their neighbors.   As I go forward on my path I strive to be prepared, strong, and a reflection of love.   Goddess blessings on your journey along your own path!

Living & Loving

My faith tells me that I am a record keeper and one who continues the traditions by teaching.  I have noticed than when I offer condolences, congratulations, or blessings via social media I tend to type Live instead of Love.   The light bulb went on for me.  Goddess is reminding us we must continue to Live and be vibrant.  It is through our Living that we share and grow our Love.  

My choice of employment puts me in continuous contact with the worst our society has to offer.   I share this with you because at times, I become a spirit that wishes to withdraw from others instead of interacting with others.  This is where the Goddess is teaching me on so many levels.  She is reminding me of my sacred duty to continue to share her ways with those who wish to learn.  She is reminding me of the importance of celebration. 

This learning to remember to celebrate is another step I take along my Path.  I celebrate and by doing so teach others of Her traditions.  Teaching and learning best occur through doing something.   This Priestess is in the process of learning and completing the circle with the upcoming celebration of the Lammas.  Hope to share the loaves and blessings with you as I continue to walk the Path of a Dianic Priestess....

Adornment

I like pretty sparkly things.  Gifts from the Goddess.  My personal altars have crystals upon them.  My yard has flowers and shrubs.   They adorn Mother Nature.   Crystals, flowers, shells, and gemstones are what I choose to adorn my body and Temple.
I see a disturbing trend where women feel the need to surgically altar their appearance in the name of adornment.  Although I fully support an adult's right to the mutilzation of their choice, something is terribly wrong here.   Why do some feel they are less of a person based on the shape of their nose and lips or the size of their breasts and stomachs?
I pray for a time when women value and view themselves as Goddesses.  They is beauty in each of us.  Take a few minutes to recognize the beauty of the individuality of your Sisters.

Blessings

©

Grandmother Spider

Consider the connectedness of us all.  In 2004 a group called The Foundry and the Spring recorded a Goddess chant titled 81 Goddesses.   This group also produced a set of beads that had 81 stone beads, one for each Goddess and a large Goddess bead in silver.   The Goddess bead was matched to stones that best represented Her attributes.  Corn Maiden with Aventurine stones called to me. 

I had used the internet to find a local shop to purchase Pagan wares.  I was led to a shop run by Ginger.   My home soon resembled Ginger's shop.  Here I purchased my first Goddess Statue, many candles, oils, herbs, books, and 81 Goddesses prayer beads and cd. 

The internet intoduced me to something called Yahoo Groups.   It was there that I found a group belonging to Z Budapest who haf written a book I purchased in the mid 1990's called The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries.  This group helped guide and shape my understanding of Women's Spirituality.  I had found a home. 

Amy had found a home in Z's group, too.  Amy began to experience difficulties and asked for help both spiritually and mundanely.  Amy was in South Carolina.   I was in South Carolina.   Financially I was in a good place and willing to help Amy.   The only problem was I was unable to travel to the coast.   Mary was in the group and worked with a Pagan foodbank in the area where Amy lived. 

I contacted Mary and gave her Amy's information.   Mary provided me with an address to send a check to help replenish the supplies.  Mary and I began to correspond outside of the group.  I knew right away that she was a good person.  I liked Mary.  She didn't seem to be put off by my profession.  Even though we hadn't met in person, I knew from the phone conversations and email correspondene that I had a Sister in Goddess Spirituality right here in South Carolina. 

Flash forward to February 2013.  My much treasured and beloved Grandmother had crossed the veil the month before. Back pain had me physically in a bad place.  My Grandmother's departure and concern over a situation involving another loved one had left me emotionally drained.   Mary was singing with a group at an interfaith event at Newberry College.  I went thinking this would bring some light to my dark days. 

Indeed there was light in Newberry for me.  It was here that I met Mary in person, though very briefly.   I also met in person Holli who has been a tremendous asset to promoting Interfaith tolerance and understanding.   Holli was a friend of Mary's and I knew of her work in the Columbia area. Holli had introduced me to an interfaith women's group that met once a month. 

My demanding work schedule has resulted in me not attending meetings for several years.  In those few meeting I had the priveledge to attend a meeting at the local Ba'hai center.  Those ladies are some of the most sincerely welcoming people I have ever met. I also met a lady named Sister Nancy.   Sister Nancy is a Sister both figuratively and literally.  She is a Nun in the Catholic faith.  I spoke with my Mother and told her how much I enjoyed Sister Nancy's presentation on the many ways our faiths bring love and compassion.   Momma was already familliar with Sister Nancy.   She had been present when my Grandfather crossed the veil at the hospital where she worked almost a decade before.  The connections the Goddess gives us are everywhere. 

Now we are in March 2015.  Mary invited me to Kirtan and suggested we ride together.  During the trip we were discussing her jewelry making and I learned she was involved in the 81 Goddesses project.   My jaw dropped in amazement at the connectedness.   I could see the many threads that Goddess spun and attached from so long ago.   

Tonight I sit and wonder, will one of us be needing the gift that Goddess gave each of us as our area of specialty and theme.  Perhaps She introduced us because our skill sets are complimentary and we are meant to be mirrors that reflect those in need of our individual gifts to each other.  Maybe we are just two really cool people with simillar beliefs and likes.  Either way, I strongly feel the Goddess at work.

Whether you call her Grandmother Spider, Araidne, or the Fates one thing is certain, She is present and working in and through our lives for the benefit and betterment of us.  Our challenge is to hear Her soft voice call.  I listen as I continue along my Path......

©March 2015

Solstice Approaches

The Wheel of the Year prepares to turn, with it the light will return.  Recent times have been dark and troubled for many who welcome the warmth and clarity of the light as it returns and grows.  Tarot wisdom from Temple in the Timbers today reminds us to celebrate our gentle pleasures.   These are the very sparks of life that keep us going.  During dark times this spark is especially important.  If you have no spark it is important to generate a spark somehow to share with those in need.  By doing so you will create a ripple effect for the betterment of all who surround you.  Generate and sparkle will be my personal motto as I move towards the Solstice and choose a point of focus for my individual light.   As always, it will be about and centered around Love......

©December 2013

I Offer Thanks to the Goddess

So much has happened since I last posted.   I don't know where to start.  I am at a complete loss for words so all I can say is "Thank You" to the Goddess.   There have been Loved Ones who have crossed the veil.   I thank Her for what they added to my life and hope that I was able to add to theirs in a positive way.   There have been Loved Ones who have had tremendous set backs with their personal health.   Tonight, Helen sits at the veil after having come through so much.   Will she stay on this side with us?   I thank Her for bringing Helen and Gary into my life.   They are such a blessing to so many.   There are Loved Ones who are in desparate need of work but can't find any.   I thank Her for bringing those sweet souls into my life.   They have reminded me that even though times are rough people do find a way to be kind.   My BeLoved Grandmother is one of the Loved Ones who has had multiple health complications.   I thank Her for allowing me to know such Love for 43 years and for tomorrow when Granny will be visiting.   My body, still too much of a good thing continues to improve.  The amount of space I occupy decreases yet I know my energy does not and that I am a blessing to others.   I thank Her for my continued improvement and ask that I continue to be a source of comfort and happiness to others.    Through out the many ups and downs my own Mother, she who birthed me has been a source of strength and compassion.   I thank Her for providing me with a Mom who is gentle yet an Amazon.    I am thankful.   I left this rose as a token of Thanks for Blessings given and those yet to come.   The next morning the first of my recent roses was open.   It was the Joseph's Coat Rose, the colors almost identical to the one I left as a token of my Thanks.  I took this as a sign that my words were heard and that She thinks I am on the right Path, even though at times I don't know where it is leading.   In the coming days I will celebrate with my local Sisters and I will take counsel from a Sister who lives far away.   I treasure them all, Sisters and not so Sisters alike.   In saying Thanks, I have realized that it is truly all about the Love.   The message the Goddess has for me is don't be shy about coming in, the water is still fine.   My story continues.......

©April 2012

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December 2009 issue of Goddess Magazine!   <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" style="width:420px;height:272px" id="cfef4a46-51f9-5b56-9591-1c3b9ade0694" ><param name="movie" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf?mode=mini&amp;shareMenuEnabled=false&amp;printButtonEnabled=false&amp;shareButtonEnabled=false&amp;searchButtonEnabled=false&amp;backgroundColor=%23222222&amp;documentId=091203183638-fff39f165961454192d7ebc07f066b90" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" wmode="transparent" style="width:420px;height:272px" flashvars="mode=mini&amp;shareMenuEnabled=false&amp;printButtonEnabled=false&amp;shareButtonEnabled=false&amp;searchButtonEnabled=false&amp;backgroundColor=%23222222&amp;documentId=091203183638-fff39f165961454192d7ebc07f066b90" /></object>

March 2010 issue of Goddess Ma<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" style="width:420px;height:272px" id="8cbafded-686f-5c31-798a-206479821aa9" ><param name="movie" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf?mode=mini&amp;shareMenuEnabled=false&amp;shareButtonEnabled=false&amp;searchButtonEnabled=false&amp;backgroundColor=%23222222&amp;documentId=100301211747-9873d9ded1cd4e35beecbd3cc30acdd4" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" wmode="transparent" style="width:420px;height:272px" flashvars="mode=mini&amp;shareMenuEnabled=false&amp;shareButtonEnabled=false&amp;searchButtonEnabled=false&amp;backgroundColor=%23222222&amp;documentId=100301211747-9873d9ded1cd4e35beecbd3cc30acdd4" /></object>gazine!  

August 2010 issue of Goddess Magazine!   <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" style="width:420px;height:272px" id="b4120b80-ea2f-c796-8391-a5457323ef08" ><param name="movie" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf?mode=mini&amp;shareMenuEnabled=false&amp;printButtonEnabled=false&amp;shareButtonEnabled=false&amp;searchButtonEnabled=false&amp;backgroundColor=%23222222&amp;documentId=100804221722-d33ed2cf2f3b49a290fe8e1c9bb788c0" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" wmode="transparent" style="width:420px;height:272px" flashvars="mode=mini&amp;shareMenuEnabled=false&amp;printButtonEnabled=false&amp;shareButtonEnabled=false&amp;searchButtonEnabled=false&amp;backgroundColor=%23222222&amp;documentId=100804221722-d33ed2cf2f3b49a290fe8e1c9bb788c0" /></object>

April 2010 issue of Goddess Magazine!    <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" style="width:420px;height:272px" id="ec5e42ee-6de1-a0ca-ae92-2a3dea2cabdd" ><param name="movie" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf?mode=mini&amp;shareMenuEnabled=false&amp;shareButtonEnabled=false&amp;searchButtonEnabled=false&amp;backgroundColor=%23222222&amp;documentId=100329023508-119e6bf0c9a842458e23023991b73bdc" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" wmode="transparent" style="width:420px;height:272px" flashvars="mode=mini&amp;shareMenuEnabled=false&amp;shareButtonEnabled=false&amp;searchButtonEnabled=false&amp;backgroundColor=%23222222&amp;documentId=100329023508-119e6bf0c9a842458e23023991b73bdc" /></object>

The Daylight Project: I am a Witch

It's All About the Love

A new calander year has come and with it new adventures and challenges.    I consulted the Tarot for a guide to the year to come and the message for me was "Surround yourself with those and that which you Love" and "Continue your formal Priestess training."   A much BeLoved one often reminds me of the importance of relaxation and feeling good.    Ok, I get it, all work and no play makes for a burned out Priestess.   I have committed to making this year a focus on me.

I am reviving my community Pagan life with my Temple in the Timbers page on Facebook.   Being more active with practicing my rituals makes me happy and gives me a sense of inner peace.   Between this blog and Facebook my rituals and practices will be documented for those who may wish to use them as a guide.   I am thinking of the future, the Grandchildren.   If I document my Path as I walk it they will have it for reference if they want it.  

I leave you now with this photo of some of those that I Love and cherish, afterall, It's All About the Love!!

©January 2012

My Duty, My Sister, and How Near Disaster Became a Living Example of Dianic Beliefs

When the phone rings a few minutes after midnight the news that comes is rarely good.   The caller was my supervisor advising me that one of the people I supervise and her child had been involved in a bad accident.   He was on the way to the hospital and I told him that I would get a shower and be on the way.   I quickly showered and made my way to the hospital which was right at an hours drive if there was no traffic.

I drove through the night, I noticed the Moon and how beautiful and large she was shining a golden orange with only half of her visible.   It occurred to me that we are in the waning phase and she would go new again in less than a week.   Yet Lady Luna was so big and so beautiful I knew that it was a message from the Goddess.   She was giving me strength and comfort to safely make a long drive at the end of what had been a long and emotionally draining day.   This was my reminder that We are Her Daughters and She gives us strength and comfort to do what must be done.

I arrived at the hospital a little after 1:00 am.   Parking at the emergency room which is the only trauma center was available quite away from the buildings entrance.   This place that saves lives is in the middle of a place where life is hard and crime is rampant.   I began my walk to the entrance thinking this is not a good place for a lengthy stroll in the day time and the cover of night only added to my need to take a deep breath and make that walk with confidence knowing I had a mission and a duty to perform and my Sister and her Daughter were in there and they would need more than medical care.

After the fifteen to twenty minute delay at the desk while I was identified and cleared to go back I finally got to the waiting room.   In addition to a few of her family, my supervisor and his supervisor were there.   They are both caring and compassionate individuals but Duty required that they be there.  By no means do I intend to diminish either ones caring and compassion by saying they were obligated by Duty but this is important to know because this is where things take a different turn for me.   As her supervisor my Duty at that time was to respond and offer assistance to her and any family there and then share the appropriate information with those others I supervise.  

I look down at my clothing, I am wearing my comfy sneakers, jeans, and a decent top.   By looking at me you see no indication of a uniform.   The call of Duty had alerted me to a need of my Sister.   I came because she had two daughters, one who is twelve the other one in her early twenties who a Mother to a one year old Daughter.   If the twelve year old was the Daughter in the accident then the older Daughter was going to need someone to help with the toddler.   If the older Daughter had been the one in the accident then there was going to be a traumatised twelve year old there who would need someone.   My Duty was to my Sister, to take any action necessary to insure the best possible care of whoever was not injured.

Sure there was other family there but her current husband was just ahead of them in his truck when the crash occurred.   He had witnessed a wife and daughter entrapped in a crumpled twisted pile of metal cry in pain and fear as Law Enforcement and EMS personnel sprang into action.   He was primarily with my Sister and then up to check on the Daughter who was on another floor being prepped for surgery.   She was in great pain and fearful for her Mother who she could not see due to the immediate urgency of their individual medical needs.   My Sister's parents were there primarily with the Daughter.   They had hurried to the scene of the accident, the Father hearing details of the Emergency workers conversation over the radio, himself a longtime responder to such accidents, knowing the situation for his child and grandchild was horrific.   He and the Mother waited primarily with their Grandchild each one occasionally coming to check on their Daughter and relay information about the Grandchild to her.   Another family member who is a Sister/Mother to my Sister was there and remained with in the room with my Sister to attend to her personal needs while the emergency room staff tended to other patients.

I sat in the waiting room holding my Sister's granddaughter.   She was sleeping on my shoulder.   I gently rocked her to keep her from waking.    The little one would have been scared and would have cried loudly as small children do when they find themselves in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people.  The only help I could offer my Sister at this point was caring for her Grandchild.   I stayed here like this for about an hour until her husband came back and said she would want to see me but we couldn't take the baby back into the treatment room.   I left the little one in the care of another relative who had arrived and went to see my Sister.   As I entered my Sister's room her eyes turned toward me.   Her body was still immobilized as her condition had yet to be fully determined.   I knew that my Sister was always concerned about dying and nobody telling her that was the case when people were nice to her so I made a rude comment to her about this being a ridiculous length to go to in order to get out of a little work and then I insulted the professionalism and customer service of the person working the registration desk.   Before leaving to go back to the waiting area I told her she needed to give a class on customer service and charm to the person working the desk and that was a direct order.   She tried to smile and said she was only worried about her Daughter.    I told her that we had just learned that she was in surgery and that she was only expected to need one operation to repair the damaged hip and that there were no internal injuries as had been the concern from early.   It was now that I saw some relief wash over her.  She had been told this before but now was able to process the information.   I reassured her that I would remain and care for her Grandchild until someone arrived to take the child to her own home, and then make sure her older daughter who was not in the vehicle wreck but had fainted upon seeing her younger Sister and Mom had recovered to the point of being able to function, and the twelve year was at a point in her care that we knew she would heal during her surgery.  

I maintained my vigil in the waiting area for another few hours.   All of the situations settled and then my Duty to Duty came back to the top of my priorities.   I made one last offer of help in any manner to her parents and then left to go back and share the information with the people I supervise, my Sister's coworkers.   For those of you reading this who haven't had the chance of meeting this whacky cast of characters I will tell you how Duty lead to Sisterhood.

Our desks are about eight feet apart, we occupy this space for more waking hours than we do with our blood families, my Sister and I.   Our long work days involve us dealing with the worst that society has to offer and some of the silliest that provide needed comic relief to us.  Over the many years we have spent so literally physically close we have developed a bond, a Sisterhood.   We are both females in our early forties who come from the same socio-economic background.   We both have Daughters the same age from relationships we had at the end of high school with males who were ultimately violent with us and inattentive at best to our children.   Later we both lost Sisters, she lost a blood Sister to a horrific medical degenerative condition, me a non-blood Sister that I had grown up with to a grand mal seizure that ended this part of her life when she fell into her pool while seizing, a pain we both still experience at times.   Our Daughters have each made us proud and at times question our abilities as Mothers from the decisions they have made.   They tend to mirror each other what one has done the other is going to be doing soon even though these girls did not grow up together and do not know each other, their similarities are another tie that binds us.   We are both very strong in our Faiths even though she is a Christian and I am Dianic Wiccan we honor the similarity in values of our belief systems which are many and set aside our differences which are pretty much the result of the culture developed in our individual faiths.  We each come from families with a long history of community service along with a few crazy members that make us just shake our heads and laugh to keep from crying.

A few weeks ago my Daughter and her fiance made the decision to lawfully marry so that he could obtain the medical care he desperately needs.   He had lost his job and hence his insurance after their betrothal and had to have legal marriage in order to get him on her insurance and the deadline for that to happen was fast approaching.   The only way to accomplish this for the Lady who agreed to marry them in the time frame necessary was to have it at our place of employment.   A blessing was offered and the legal documents signed.   A small wedding cake was served with soft drink and a small bouquet of my Daughters favorite roses served as the only decoration.  I had asked my Sister and a three others who are Sisters to be the legal witnesses.   My parents and ninety two year old Grandmother attended and even though it was a small and brief service in a most unconventional setting, the blessings and well wishes offered were sincere and it was a remarkable moment.    I sat down at my Sisters desk and thanked her for canceling her Daughters orthodontist appointment so she could be there after the service was over and everyone gone.   We are Amazons, that was done and over in less than thirty minutes, we laughed at our effectiveness in accomplishing whatever mission we had to accomplish.   I told her that I had thought of her in preceding few days and asked how she dealt with the pain of not having her Sister physically present at such an important events for her own Daughter.   She said, "I just do it", she further confided that we were alike in that the magic was just in doing and appreciating the Love in the relationships we have had with those who have crossed the veil and the Love in the relationships we have on this side of the veil.     Her presence for my Daughter that day was a source of comfort for me and her words for me were inspiration and validation that we just need to keep on keeping on.   Last night was my turn to stand for my Sister and her Daughters.  Neither was a grand or elaborate action on either of our parts nobody else would have noticed either one but it was the fabric of our Sisterhood that was woven and strengthened by another yet another link.

These small acts that impact our lives and bring comfort when times are tough are the very essence of the Dianic call to action in the very last line of the Susan B Anthony Coven Number 1 Manifesto which tells us that "Our immediate Goal is to congregate with each other according to our ancient woman-made laws and to remember our past, renew our powers, and affirm our Goddess of the Ten Thousand Names."    Our Sisterhood is what gives us the strength and courage to continue on our Paths, what an excellent reminder of the strength and beauty we possess as Women, we are the life givers, our life blood is the tie that binds humanity.    So fitting, this on the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Z Budapest forming the Susan B and scratching out the tenants of Dianic belief on a napkin.    Her hand reached through time and space forty years into the future and thousands of miles away from the West Coast where she sat on that night, her words helped to mold and guide me which in turn has had an impact on a Sister of another faith and her children.  I am reminded of those soft and comforting words  "We all come from the Goddess and to Her we shall return like a drop of rain flowing to the ocean..........." as my journey along the Path continues.

©December 2011