I can't stop lingering at this image of my friend. Its is from a video she sent me this morning through text. I took a screen capture and sent it to her and wrote "look at you...". I wanted her to see the peace in her breath, in this moment when she paused, closed her eyes, inhaled slowly, exhaled slowly and allowed a tender hush between her and my witness of her.
I loved so much this gift and the mirror this holy wholly moment was for me, that I asked her if she felt comfortable with me sharing it here with all of you. This was her response...
"Yes. Use it because it is intimate and there is no reason to avoid the intimate giving. All that matters is intimate. And all that matters makes us free".
I am ever so grateful for the gentle souls that are surrounding me and my boys these days. For my friends and family members that understand how difficult it is for me to talk on the phone, not only because of Cedar's sensitivity to frequencies and how they make him melt down but also my own sensitivity of balancing being on the phone with noise around me and how it hurts my head too and its hard to be present. They know it won't always be like this as we work with Cedar through therapy but even if it was, I feel their acceptance, unconditional love and embracing of our needs. I love the videos and texts, emails and voice memos from my loves that are sent my way...to stay connected and close, without expectation. I love the patience with needing to set up phone dates when I am alone, parked in front of the sea or even the grocery store...just me and them, without distraction. Just writing this brings me to tears because of the love and honoring this brings into our life.
And then there are moments like this and this image of Janae (above) and how sometimes when words are not enough and its hard to not be close in the physical, that even through a video, she can allow herself pause and gaze, slow breath and connection to the love that we feel for each other. And the fact that its enough for her? Well, that feels so safe and free and is a gentle guide towards opening myself up and trusting deeper.