Oh Deer...

Earlier this year I wrote a post about an experience I had with a family of deer and today, I again had an experience with a family of deer. This morning I went to someones house to walk their dog and when I pulled up to the top of the driveway there to my right was a family of deer. A mother, father and three children. One of the baby deer had a hurt leg. But none of them ran and I continued down the driveway really slow then got out of the car and just quietly talked with them. It seemed like forever but I'm sure it was only a few minutes, then they all just wandered off, but the mother deer keep watch and I felt we connected mother to mother as I wished her healing for her child who was hurt. I know this may sound crazy but I'm always looking up the meaning of animals that find there way into my life. This past year I had a family of tree frogs living outside of my house. In the twenty two years I've been here, I've never had tree frogs visit, much less stay. Just yesterday I was taking a moment to read a book I'm trying to finish and a squirrel  jumped on the table outside my window and just hung out for awhile to chat.

Here is some of what I found when I looked up the meaning of seeing deer...

By observing the ways in which deer behave, it is possible to see what amazing qualities - or powers - they possess. From the deer we can learn that the gift of gentleness and caring can help us overcome and put aside many testing situations. Only love, both for ourselves and for others, helps us understand the true meaning of wholeness.

If a deer crosses your path, this may show you that you are a very compassionate, gentle and loving person. If you don't have these qualities, then consider if you have a problem that needs addressing. Are you facing a challenge in your life, whether with a fellow human being or a delicate situation? If you are feeling negative emotions such as anger, try letting go. Think about whether a gentler and more loving approach can sort the issue out. It may be necessary to speak the truth, this is best done with kindness and from the heart, this will generally give a better result.

Deer teaches us how powerful it is to be of gentle demeanor, to exert keen observation and sensitivity. Deer's are in tune with nature and all it comprises. They are sacred carriers of peace and show those with this power animal how to open their hearts and love unconditionally. 

Deer has entered your life to help you walk the path of love with full consciousness and awareness, to know that love sometimes requires caring and protection, not only in how we love others, but also in how we love ourselves. 

Deer teaches us to be gentle, to touch the hearts and minds of wounded beings who are in our lives. Don't push people to change, rather gently nudge them in right direction, with the love that comes from deer. Love and accept people as they are. The balance of true power lays in love and compassion. 
 

Silver Lining...

"Reflect on a time when your pain or perceived problem turned out to be the beginning of a whole new possibility for yourself, perhaps even a blessing in disguise."

My father decided when I was 15 after a horrible fight with my mother that he no longer wanted to participate in our ( my sister and I) lives. He left and went off to marry another lady who had two daughters just like he left behind. He came back once but my mother told him if he wasn't going to pay child support he should leave and he did. I did not see him again until I was married and a mother but that visit didn't go well. We parted ways never to speak again until his death. 

I distinctly remember the day I realized my father leaving was a silver lining in my life. I was driving down to Charlotte, I was about 30 years old then ( I'm 54 now) and the light bulb moment hit me. He was an active alcoholic and had he stayed, things could have been SO much worse. So many of those abandonment issues drifted away that day. I still am grateful today that it happened that way it did. And right before he died I was given one last chance to mend a broken connection. His family called me and he was not able to speak at this point, but they said he wanted to "talk to me." I of course talked, since he could not and I let him know it was all okay and that I loved him very much. He died after they hung up the phone. His unfinished business on this earth was done. 

My father not being in my life ( as crazy as it was without him) I'm not sure I could have handled the situation with him the way he was. I felt my spirit was spared a lot of things I will never know the full extent of. Today I only feel forgiveness and love for my father. He did the best he knew how with what he had. So what seemed like abandonment from my father now only feels like love.

A friend's perspective on her silver lining... http://gentlegull.blogspot.com/2014/08/seeing-silver-lining.html

Family...

"Family... We may not have it all together, but together we have it all."

At times I get caught up in labels of what constitutes a family - mother, father, children, pets, and I forget just because we don't look like the perfect picture we are still very much a family. I consider my friends part of my family too. The more the merrier!

Side of the road...

When I pulled up to a stop light today, there was a man standing there with a sign that he was homeless and needed money. My thought has always been to give him some without judgement. Does it really matter what he choose to use it for. But as I gave him the money I thought later - he is someone's son, maybe someone's father, he's a man with a story, a past and hopefully a future. I left him with loving thoughts to make the choices that are right for his life.

A Father...

~Happy Father's Day~

Just because my father was not able to be a father for his own personal reasons and my children's father doesn't mean I can't wish all the other, giving, loving, fathers and father figures who are present in their children's lives the Happiest Fathers day possible. I can either be bitter and wonder "why me" ( which I have) or accept the way it is in my life. As I've gotten older I understand they did the best that could with the knowledge they had and I can love them for who they are and not the image of what I think they should be.