where beauty lives

on death and rebirth in reverence for my ancestors

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The inspiration to share these words came to me on October 31, Samhain, and that feels so right for several reasons.

This cross quarter day falls between the autumnal equinox and winter solstice. Samhain is a Gaelic word meaning "summer's end” and it marks a time when all has been gathered in, and all that remains is to release and surrender to the end of the cycle. There is death before rebirth can take place — before the cycle begins again from this dark, mysterious, and fertile void.

It’s believed by some that the “veil” between the physical and spiritual is at its thinnest during this time, and I’m reflecting now about my ancestors who have passed on (especially my grandparents who used to live on the land that we call Forest & Flowers Retreat, and that I call home).

I recently announced the opening of the new space we’ve created at Forest & Flowers Retreat called the Garden Room, for hosting petite weddings, celebrations, and other events in harmony with nature.

The truth is, when Forest & Flowers Retreat first came into form, I never thought we would host events quite like this. The inspiration came to us in spring of 2022 and we’ve been moving with it in preparation ever since.

I’ve received many comments and replies noting how beautiful the space is, and beauty has so much meaning to Forest & Flowers Retreat that I found myself reflecting and wanting to share more on it here.

A couple years ago on one of my walks around this land after both my grandparents had passed on, I was receiving a message from Spirit about beauty — about it being the essence of Forest & Flowers Retreat. I remember looking down at the ground in that moment and seeing a feather (a wink of presence and confirmation).

Got it. Yes. Beauty.

Beauty lives here.

Gram and Pappy (as I, and many others called them) were so connected to beauty… in all the things painted and creations built, in the home they designed and decorated, in their seeking for sanctuary in the beauty of this place, and in their perspective and gratitude amidst challenging life experiences. All of it was filled with beauty, and I felt and witnessed this beauty.

I once heard Zach Bush say, “Love is the vibration of witnessing beauty.”

And I wonder… if my desire to cultivate beauty at Forest & Flowers Retreat is my way of continuing to resonate with this endless cycle of love, that does not end with death.

I wonder if the responsibility I feel to honor my ancestors with what I co-create here is my way of stewarding the gift with the reciprocity and love I can offer in return.

I’m reminded of a story in the book “Braiding Sweetgrass” about maple trees, in which the Maori people would make beautiful sculptures that they carried long distances into the forest and left there as a gift to the trees.

I think of how I’ve been guided to plant flowers, as a gift. To cultivate beauty. To offer an experience with beauty.

My connection with nature has expanded my awareness of beauty and Spirit. Having reverence for death and rebirth in the cycle of life has connected me to my grandparents in a different way, as I feel the love and support of the ones who came before me — who made the way for me, us, and all of this, to be here now.

So in honor of my ancestors, in gratitude for the guidance, and in reverence for all the season and cycles… May beauty and love live here. May all be so blessed to notice and feel this too.

Thank you for reading.

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