6 Ahau - Hello & Goodbye in One Breath

My Dad & I at Granville Island

Visiting and spending time with family and friends over the last month has been a roller coaster of sorts.  The ups and downs of emotions, the unexpected turns of fate, the thrill of the ride in itself, all have been part of this recent journey.

I’ve connected with many friends over this trip, some it’s been on a physical level – seeing them regularly as if I was still an everyday part of the community.  Some it has been a day’s visit with intentions of spending more time together but busy lives just don’t coincide.  Some have been emotional overwhelm, the lessons of growth become evident in us all.  Some it has been a brief hello filled with smiles and hugs and a continued happiness of sharing a simple moment.  Some it just didn’t happen with this visit, beyond connection of the heart. Some were filled with the comfort and ease of old friendships that go beyond any time line. Some have been random encounters of re-meeting, there are no accidents.  Some have been fun-filled events and creative get-togethers filled with laughter and ideas.  Some we have literally crossed roads and bumped into each other, guided by fate to say hello.

11 - Artist Collective  Reunion Brunch

And then the familiar time spent with family. Kids grow up; parents grow old and time stands still in many forms. Words of love and pain are spoken, memories and photographs are shared, tears of sadness and joy abound and we all continue to grow.

"life is a gift - open it every day."
25th Annual Granville Island Art Garbage Can Contest

I walk down the same streets and drive on the same roads, yet everything looks different.  A creative boost from the colours of autumn is seen all around, something I don’t think I have ever appreciated or enjoyed as much as I do now.  It’s the old yet new, it is the same but different.  There is such a sense of life, death and re-birth at this time of the year. 

The Gift of Light

Now as I prepare to leave all this familiar part of my life once again, I feel a spark of creative energy.  A renewal of my spirit to go forward and breathe deeply builds with each hello and goodbye that crosses my path. A new sense of what my purpose is, has been restored and the colours of my life have become more apparent.  With each smile a warmth fills my soul. 

Thank you to all I cross paths with on this journey.

Creative inspiration comes from where we seek it; seek to find it in everything!

In Lak’ech

Sunshine & Soulshine,

Joanna C. Cooke   ‘OJO’