THE LAND OF LOOK BEHIND reassures a child from long ago

 

In the delightful teaching and healing story of  The Land of Look Behind, by Leisa Robotham-Reid and Gabrielle Eubank-Green, 6-year-old Angela "went to sleep dreaming of the Land of Look Behind and all the favorite toys waiting patiently to be found in that magical place."

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One of my earliest memories is of a red horse that I loved and carried around with me wherever I went.  In the two photos below, I am 21 months old and 2 years old.  My middle sister was born when I was 18 months old.  Sometime between 21 months old and 24 months old, I lost my red horse and was absolutely bewildered and bereft.  It was hard to understand that my red horse was gone.  I can still feel the sadness I felt then.  I was given a panda bear which I bonded with as I had bonded with the lost red horse.  The family photo album below those two photos shows me carrying my beloved panda bear which I carried in most photos at the time my middle sister was 6 months old.  Unfortunately, I also lost that panda bear and am told that I cried and cried unconsolably.  Fortunately, my father understood how much I needed that panda bear and went out and found a second panda bear, which I accepted without question, carried around for years, always careful not to lose him, and I have him to this day.  My mother told me the story about the lost first panda bear when I was in my 40s.

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Now I know where my red horse and my first panda are and can sleep peacefully knowing they are safe there in that magical place.  Thank you so much, Leisa and Gabrielle!

Thank you to 37 Paddington for her part in making this book available to children everywhere!

Inspired by 37 Paddington and Ellamae Simmons

Wide-eyed 
And listening,
I walk.
Intent.
Looking at everything.
Rarely understanding anything.

Hey world:
You are a puzzle.
With no piece in place.
Every day I bring my own puzzle piece
With me
As I walk
As I wait

As I work with friends on a project that will culminate in two exhibits of selected tapestries from one of our friends who wove for 50 years before losing her ability to weave due to cognitive difficulties, the time I usually have for blogging is limited.  Thank you to everyone who responded to my post connected to this year's Memorial Day.  I felt so alone in the year the man I loved served as a helicopter mechanic in Vietnam and felt alone for nearly 20 years after the war ended.  I spent as much time as I could at the ocean -- one place where I did not feel alone.  This year, in large part because of your comments, I know fully that I am not alone, no matter where I am.  You are never far from my thoughts.  I am grateful to belong to this far-flung community of kindred spirits.

A friend who is staying in Laguna Beach, California, with her husband this week emailed me this ocean scene.  It may take several clicks before the video appears:

P.S.  Rosemarie -- Our public library secured a copy of Overcome for me.  I am just a few chapters into the book. The long and eventful life of Ellamae Simmons is an inspiration.  Thank you for making it possible for her story to be told.

"This Land Is Your Land" sung by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

With gratitude to our friend at 37 Paddington who recommended the Netflix documentary, "Knock Down The House."  A friend of mine who subscribes to Netflix had already watched it and was more than happy to watch it a second time with me this morning.  Both of us were moved to tears and gratitude for this documentary.  The above version of "This Land Is Your Land" is sung during the credits.

Here's another version of "This Land Is Your Land," by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings:

One day's work on Mandala #36

After reading 37 Paddington just now, I may call this one "Winter Soldier."

(These photos were taken with my cell phone.  I just figured out how to download photos from my phone).