Mary:

According to the path I seem to be on either by verbal direction or readings or even stumble on, I am very inclined to believe that the knowledge is inside of ourselves. We can spend a lifetime in some

enormous cathedral listen to the pipe organs playing outstanding music or quietly listening our own footsteps as the echo through the arches and watch this light

stream though the incredible stained glass and walk away feeling somewhat refreshed. We can do the same in a church we select, we can do the same in the music of the trees as they dance in a summer breeze or show off their snowed in glory on a winter's day. All those images and sounds and memories can be recalled and delight us once again. Yet even as we are being thrilled by the spirit behind it all why

does it stir us. I think that happens for what is stored in us from the very start or

beginning, if you will, of our Soul's growth. Yes I do believe in reincarnation and I believe in the growth/expansion of

the Soul as we work closer to the perfection of those that have shown us a way. They may not be as well known as Jesus, but they have had a way of teaching us how to love ourselves and how important that is before we can begin to love another. I have had more that 2 events of relatives that were close to me dying a rather long and drawn out ending. My oldest

sister and my dad all in the same year. My

dad was very tough as I watched a brilliant man who forgot 100 times more math than I ever learned be struck down by dementia. While he was able to talk and do some things for himself we would talk, when that part of his brain started to erode than I would talk or read to him until I could see his eyes glaze over. After that we would let the conversation go in the

direction it wanted to, guided by His Soul working with Mine and both having been created from the same source. There was some kind of point where the two Souls would meet with an understanding that nothing had to be said. Dad couldn't and I didn't want to interrupt the sacred part of that time. He would open his eyes toward

the end, but no recognition of anyone would come to his face until the last day. I was

fortunate to be there when the body became empty and the room became filled with love. People can say what they want about this occurrence and anything they feel, but

I know what I felt and I know others in the room that knew exactly the same thing. I knew that my mother, my wife, my youngest sister and her husband all felt the tangible departure and the goodbyes that were said. What more can I say except it was the same way with my oldest sister and both of them "evolved" the same way, at home, in their bed and surrounded by

comfortable things and comfortable people. I felt privileged to have been there, very

privileged. Mary I don't know exactly if this is where you were going, I didn't know where I was going when I started writing on a feelings level. I do know that my life is enriched by these experiences and ones like it that other

people have had. Some more than this and

some less. Am I glad my dad died this way,

no I would rather him to be alive, but none

of us make it unless we die and are literally born again. So now I wonder at every child that is in my family of a certain age...could this be one and then it hits me, I don't need to know.

I walk this journey each day of my life,being in connection with the natural world helps me by granting me the peace and quiet to do so.

We are all works in progress, toward discovering the resilient spirit within, then, learning to transform our inner light and peaceful energy, and send it outward to all.

I work on this daily; and agree with chancemo; that nature is one of the most healing, nurturing, freeing forces that we've been so kindly given.