🎶Sunrise, Sunrise... Looks like morning in your eyes.🎶
I found myself needing a break from everyone on Friday. I took the day to get out to nature, letting my feet carry me off to somewhere I'd never been, a distant meadow that let me lay back and listen to the dry grass shifting in the breeze, the sound of a nearby stream churlishly gurgling over the rocks that forced its course, as the sunlight streamed down to warm me through the jacket I wore and the cap that covered my face. It made me think of the times of napping on the college green in Western Washington all those years ago, and that brought a smile to my lips and nurturing, loving energy flowing from the memories that were drifting up from the depths of my heart and soul. Finally, I felt relaxed. And then my curiosity was piqued by something landing on my arm. Though it was cold - too cold for them in this region to actually still be flitting around - there was a physical manifestation of my damselfly, wings flitting as she lifted to dance and then fell back to be sustained and revitalized by the warmth of my body.
The hydrangea that had been brought in were near the sprinklers that would mist them occasionally. I thought that might be a good spot for this little lady, in the greenhouse that my brother sun tends regularly.
🎶Sunrise
Sunrise
Couldn't tempt us if it tried
Cuz the afternoon's already come and gone🎶
I took the little lady with me, letting her ride in the breast pocket of my shirt, protected from the wind, and I could feel her flitting there as she struggled to be free and then the tiny prick of her claws gripping the cloth and just barely touching my skin beneath. It was a magical moment, something cherished, and once I got her to the Duo'loung greenhouse, I left her there and spoke with Dave's wife about it. She smiled as she listened and made coffee for the two of us; as we conversed, she found herself marveling at my beliefs being so much akin to Dave's Taoist leanings and said she would be sure to let him know about the damselfly. She loved the moment shared and even got a chuckle at the way I related animals and nature to the people I knew, more like a Medicine Man within her own Native tribal community might do.
I didn't say anything at that time, merely thanked her and walked back to the space shared for the moment with the BH, stopping along the way to pick up something Joy had for me. It was a shirt, a nice one that matched the color of the dress she would be wearing on Saturday to the holiday dinner we were doing.
The Argent Sun symbolizes the teacher who offers gentle lessons to the student who is mindful but can sting and burn when not heeded or respected.
She also had me try on my new Fu (Tai Chi uniform) which needs some adjustment, but I am loving the design she embroidered upon the left breast. She looked elegantly lovely in her dress when I saw her later that evening, and I let her know how much I appreciate her and her aesthetic sense, how she's always looked out for me and that I appreciate that more than words can say. Her smile and tender hug was all she needed to express in return.
Aranya looked astoundingly beautiful in the evening gown she'd chosen to wear for the function, and when she picked me up, I was able to get a nice photo of her at the former aunt's place, just after closing the dogs into their kennels for the time I'd be away. Having been out with them not even an hour earlier I was fine with leaving them for several hours that we'd be gone, and it was late enough that when I returned, they were both so sound asleep they remained in their pens for the night and I was able to sleep well enough on the sofa instead of the rock-hard mattress of the bed that's seen far too long a time since needing replacement.
We went to the party, and nearly everyone was already there, of those able and planning to attend. Dave and Geanna had a beautiful table set, and there were a number of dishes and sauces for the Korean barbeque along with a number of sides that reminded me of celebrations with Aha Tae and other family members when I was just a boy. The spiced beef and curry duck breast were SO GOOD to my palate I nearly cried. Dave did a marvelous job on them, and the grilled mackerel too, and Geanna had made up some amazing, wonderful sauces to go with it all, as well. As Rahni remained on my right through much of the time we were there, Namfi (being her shy self) was continually on my left and spoke very softly, giving a demure smile whenever complemented; it was almost too many people for her, and there were a couple of times she got to retreat (and I joined her during those times, myself) to settle the nerves and refocus with as much stimulation from color, lighting and noise as there was. But it was pleasant, and we both noted that, too.
Toward the end of the evening, Chaulie stopped in to deliver an announcement for all in attendance, that he was turning over the running of the local mặt trời sắc sảo group, and there were other notations made that Hoai had gotten arranged with the order, too. So, there was a shift of power that occurred, and we all discussed that for a few hours, too. I passed along my title of Silver Sun to JD, at that time, too; and he was surprised but also honored. I know he'll be able to handle it well, and that made his adopted father (Dave) very happy to see how much it made his boy brighten and straighten a bit more as we finished the evening with dessert and coffee (or tea). Juon had also been there, and gave me some sacred tobacco and sweet grass, we discussed a little bit of tribal stuff, which got Geanna even more intrigued by this vicious street kid she's only heard a little bit about. And after that, we all wished Bryce a fond farewell as he was preparing to head out (he left this morning) to live closer to relatives who are all in Ohio now; the kiss Joy planted on him left practically everyone speechless, including him, but he was beaming afterward.
Having wrapped up the evening with the others, we made certain people were safe and well, checking in via text or on Discord as they got home, since we soon discovered why Lorie, Eric and Ian hadn't joined us was because they were in a nasty car accident that left Lorie with a broken leg and Ian having to go through emergency surgery. Thankfully they will be alright, but that was very upsetting and subdued each of us after the fine evening. To calm the nerves a bit, Rahni and I talked, danced and shared a couple of cups of green tea before she slipped off to her home again and wished me pleasant dreams once she was there to keep me from worrying about her. While I did spend some time with my former aunt yesterday, it wasn't all that pleasant, she's crowing about the political climate and showing that old deep-seated intolerance that's permeated into her soul by a family that is steeped in elitism and bigotry, so I am backing off there and will be spending more of my time with Namfi and Rahni, as well as Joy while she's here. Changes are happening, and there are more to come, healing is on the horizon, too, and it'll be interesting to see just where I am as we enter the new year.