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Pondering with Wise Oak

Light filtering through its branches, Wise Oak is full and green even as crunchy hints of autumn litter the ground below. “I wonder, Wise Oak, how do you stand with such elegance while on the brink of so much loss?” The tips of Wise Oak sparkle and dance as the wind blows through. Wise Oak […]

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Fullness of Life

“What’s on your mind these days?” A friend asked. “Nothing really,” I initially thought. Well…there has been a lot. This spring, I participated in my first Native American drumming circle in Oklahoma and plunged into Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas. I visited my daughter in LA, facilitated a retreat in Racine, and cheered on the

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A Wave Grabbed Me

According to the Internet, the temperature for the Irish Sea near Wicklow, Ireland is 46 degrees today. It’s hard to believe that it was just a few weeks ago that I ventured into these waters. Afterward, a friend asked, “are you mentally unstable?” Another worried that I’d get pneumonia. Others simply wondered, “why?” Why? Good

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On the Darkest Day

On the darkest daythe candle continuesto lure metowards its orange glow. Top of jar blackened by rising smokeremaining interiorcaked in waxexcept for a small circlea window to its soul. I catch glimpsesof the dancing flameas it shows offits alivenessand I wonder:Is this flamealive in me? Happy winter solstice! Bridget Copyright (c) 2023, Bridget Purdome, ThePearlDivers.com.

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The Light Within

As the days grow shorter, I love the return of the holiday lights. It’s only mid-November, and I’ve already participated in several early displays: ZooLights in Lincoln Park, the Great Tree in the Walnut Room, and the City of Chicago’s 110th Tree Lighting. Each was a beautiful, joy-filled outing with great companionship. These holiday light

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Open Spaces

I’m raking brown oak leaves on an early fall day watching the green yard emerge from below scattered with acorns and welcoming the open spaces. Used to working hard and staying busy,I’m tempted to yell to the old oak“Bring it on! Release more leaves!I can handle a heavier load!” The yard gently stops me inviting

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“Woo!”

I started my daily “woo” practice in anticipation of a long road trip with my 28-year-old. I knew that Ciaran was already fatigued from driving from Vancouver to Chicago, that they were feeling the stress of a big move and a new job, and that they may not appreciate my early morning enthusiasm. I was

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This.

As I say good-byeto the small, wooded condowith its speckled fawnsand golf cart traffic,moments of solitude and loud family gatheringsI’m keenly awareof my Dad’s Spiritclanging through the wind chimes. As I walk the lake pathone last timeI begin to realizewhy I’m here. This.This lapping lake.This pale blue sky.This sense of onenesswith it all.This deep knowing

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