"Friendship" ~ Writers Island

This week's prompt from Writers Island
comes just as I touch back down at home...

As much as I love traveling...
I am so happy to be here
in this place of heart for awhile...

You see...
I am a very wealthy woman...
For I have many friends,
and they are gems beyond measure,
precious jewels,
silver and gold,
and some of you...
are the fire,
the alchemy,
that brings these relationships together...

Some of you live close by,
and I can pop into your home
for a cup of tea, a meal,
or into your arms for
a good cry, or a good laugh...

Some of you...
I have never met...
Only words and images have forged a bond
that weaves our similarities and differences
and has brought a whole new meaning
to the many facets of friendship
that are now integral parts of my life...

And some of you,
I only see once a year,
or every three years,
or wherever we find ourselves
on the labyrinth path...

I wish I had more pictures from this past weekend
International Labyrinth Society Gathering
in Kansas at Unity Village to share with you...

but my time was filled with giving
and attending workshops,
drumming, dancing, and walking labyrinths,
talking, feasting,
playing,
laughing,
being with great loss,
and deepening my own sense of being and connection
with all that is
and I just forgot
to pull my camera out of my bag
to capture it all...

So here are a few images
to help anchor these words
of how I treasure the friendships that grace my life...

Thank you dear friends
for all that you give to me,
and receive from me...
Sometimes it is only a word in a passing moment,
a breath of air that comes and goes...
and other times
it is the beat that sustains my heart for lifetime...

Kathy running towards me in Toby's Prairie Labyrinth...

Separated by locked glass doors on the airport shuttle,
Carol and I desperately try to find a way to hug
each other through the looking glass...

So that we can find...

reaching hands from the heart
to build labyrinths together...

Kathy and Robert and Beauty...

Debi and Mary Pat and gems of the heart...

Teacher Joan with building blocks to find the way home...

Trust...

and vulnerability...

and the smile and love of angels...

hands...

of brightly colored laughter...

dancing women and men...

hugging along the path...

images captured in my heart...

a feast for the soul...

and for dreams of chocolate,
pajama parties, and the gift of friendship
within the veil of the mystery of life...

© Friendship for Writers Island 2007

Next post... back to France

Comments

[Carolyn Hewitt]

Thanks for sharing your pictures, especially the prairie labyrinth. I missed that this year but will be sure to take advantage of "after" gathering events next time. LOVE you writing, so heartfelt and beautiful.

[Princess Haiku]

I enjoyed your labyrinth posting as I like walking them. I have a few labyrinth posts on my own blog if you would like to view a few in California. One of them, "The Volcanic Witch Project" is pretty spectacular. It takes a two mile hike into a wilderness area to get to it though so I only go once a year. BTW I found you via ascender's link and glad that I did.

[eb]

what a beautiful path I follow when I come to visit you here - truly a labyrinth to the heart of loveliness and deep soul purpose - thank you for all that you share and inspire here Lea - beautiful!

xox - eb.

[tongue in cheek]

These photos that take us to the center, that show the way, that spell happiness.
Lovely.
Wonderful.
your tales encourage.

[tinker]

The photos are lovely, but how much lovelier still it must have been to be in the moment, experiencing it all with your friends...
thank you for sharing some of it with us all.
Though I'm late with this wish - I am so behind - it's good to see you again. Welcome back.

[Donna O.]

Hey, welcome home~ Absoulutely beautiful writing, Lea. For me, one of your best along with the photos. I know you took the time to explain the labyrinth world to me but my head still spins. Or is that the idea??
D.
PS- You look great on Ulla's blog- love the new do- darker, right?? Very pretty.

[AnnieElf]

What a happy and joy filled time you had. I can feel it down to my tippy toes.

[stephanie]

Lea,
Your words are so rich and soulful...I feel lucky indeed to feel part of your circle...

x...x
stephanie

[Alice]

What an inspiring post. All of the labyrinth's that you shared look so inspiring and uplifting. Wonderful eye candy for the soul.

[karen cole]

What an incredible trip! It's the people isn't it? What a wonderful way to share. I LOVE the small labyrinths!!!

[rochambeau]

Your Labyrinth has introduced you to such lovely people Lea!
And YES you are a wealthy woman indeed!!

Welcome home, there is NO place like home!!!
xox

[Whirling Dervish]

Hi Lea,

It's strange to see myself referred to as a "labyrinth fan"- I've never thought of it in that way, but I am a seeker and am happy to have found your page. Actually, you found us- thanks for posting on the blog so I could find your site. I recently moved across the country and have only visited two of the local labyrinths here. I wish I knew of a community.

It's nice to "make your acquaintance"

WD

[Lisa S. Oceandreamer]

Lea this is a beautiful post....full of heart and soul. I wanted to be right there dancing, drumming, laughing creating et al.And ending with a champagne pajama party talking over the extraordinary events of the day!
XOXO

[UL]

Lea, this is so beautiful, what a wonderful way of depicting something so precious. I learnt something new today, about Labyrinths, never knew of its existence. I am off to read up more, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Miss Maddie's]

Isn't it wonderful to think that a path can take you on so many journeys, much like life itself.It is endearing to see that others have a similar calling and that a labyrinth can evolve anywhere.Thankyou dear Lea for sharing your story and for following your labyrinth back home.I think this Bloglandia we travel is a giant path that brings us to each other and for that I am grateful. Susan

[Mélanie]

You are a GEM !! This week end looks so fantastic! Thank you for sharing these moments with us through the bloglandia world !!

[gautami]

One beautiful post. Great poem, great pictures.

[Mad Kane]

That was delightful!

[Jo]

Sometimes it is only a word in a passing moment,
a breath of air that comes and goes...
and other times
it is the beat that sustains my heart

The above is perfect. I enjoyed reading this very much. I'm glad you had a great time.

[marja]

Wow what a great tribute to your friends. you are and they are blessed with
these friendships.What a lovely photo's Have a wonderful day.

[Herb]

Lovely post. True friends are indeed priceless.

[Pinkie Denise]

Thank you Lea for sharing the
pictures within imprinted on the tablets of the heart, bringing them to the light to
be shared with all, so beautiful and powerful, somehow I can feel the energy and love seeping through the little paths and crevices, just amazingly beautiful, thank you for sharing with me
Pinkie Denise

[prats]

**dreams of chocolate,
pajama parties, and the gift of friendship**
May they all be fulfilled...it was lovely reading and looking at these wonderful pictures

[Rambler]

Lea,

Thank you dear friends
for all that you give to me,
and receive from me...

This really caught my attention.. Its not just taking and giving...
the feeling of being recieved makes us more happy.. and am sure when we recieve too our friends become happy.

nice thought.

[Tumblewords]

A lovely seminar, it appears! There's something special about sharing in real time that which brightens one's heart. I enjoyed reading and seeing the pictures! Thank you!