The Gathering
Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 5:33 PM As birthdays go, 50 felt significant. The half way point (I fully intend to live to a ripe old age!). It demanded to be marked in a special way.
And so, on Sunday, a group of wonderful women gathered at Dixon Hill. They bore witness as I washed away the past….
….stood with me as I chopped into tiny pieces grief I no longer want to carry, allowing the stream to bear it away…..
….and joined me in scattering petals of remembrance on the water.
As we walked back to the house, a rainbow appeared in the sky.
I shared with these amazing friends the struggles and the triumphs of my first 50 years. They shared with me what they most love about me.
Together, we looked to the future, decorating prayer flags and inviting all manner of good things into my life.
There were presents and a blessing. And then a feast. Oh, and cake, of course.
Finally, as dusk fell, we released great lanterns into the night sky to ride high with the moon, watching till they became specks on the horizon. A rainbow lantern of hope for me….
And white lanterns of peace for everyone else….
Seriously, the best birthday EVER.
Second picture courtesy of Dawn Rollins
Second from last picture by me
All the rest courtesy of Hannah Nunn
Reader Comments (8)
Thank you for sharing your wonderfully special day with us. The celebration just feels like it suited you to the T. I love all the pictures. The prayer flags look especially intriguing and pretty to me - I wish I could read each one of them.
BTW, what kind of cake was it? Too bad I couldn't get a taste of it!
Here is to the next half century!
It was a fruit cake - much maligned in the States but, thankfully, not here! Actually, this was a wheat-free, dairy-free, sugar-free fruit cake....but tasted fabulous for all that! :)
You're right - I've never acquired a taste for fruitcakes. Glad it's wheat-free, dairy-free, sugar-free! As I said, everything was just perfect for you.
xoxo
so lovely and so fitting. I love who you are. xo
Thank you, Heather. It was extremely special. xx
What a lovely post summing up a wonderful day. I love Dawns picture of us all by the stream. Thanks for inviting me to be part of your special special 50 year old day x
'Twas a joy to have you there, Hannah. Thanks for my beautiful lamp and for taking such great pictures! xx
Oh, you had a round birthday! What lovely photos of your special day. Love all you did and how you celebrated fifty years of living. I turned 55 on April 23. Our birthdays must be close! May your next fifty be fully blessed. You are dear!