Spring Revelry: Rebirth, Rejuvenation and Reflection

The above photo of the needlepoint kneeler was taken in a small monastery on the Scottish isle of Iona - established in AD 563 by St. Columba. My husband and I travelled there on our way to Iceland, and what we thought would be a short jaunt turned out to be one of the highlights of that journey. The island seems to exude a peace and call for reflection like no place else I have ever been. And, of course, I am not alone - since its origin, the Monastery has been a place of refuge and reflection for thousands upon thousands of pilgrims.

The spiritual presence is also found in the natural beauty of the island, much of it in the Scottish national land trust. The legendary qualities of the Iona Marble, quarried on the island, may be mythical but I keep a small stone on my writing desk and feel a calm by merely looking at it. The stone is believed to possess healing powers - both physical and spiritual. At this time in history we need such talismans. We need a connection to calm and a detachment from chaos. Human beings have always sought retreat as a necessary aspect of spiritual/emotional calm.

On Sunday we are hosting a very large gathering of friends for an Easter brunch. Always a fun event, and always a gamble to see if the weather gods are kind enough to spare us from a snowfall. Really. One of the common responses in RSVPs was a mention of needing a reprieve from distress, and a gathering of friends will always do the trick. Happy to oblige! And so, aside from the quiet of escape we also need the balance of friendship and kindness. As the buds gently begin to emerge we once again brave forward into this uncertain world and cling to the hope that peace and justice will prevail.