Early one morning this past week, just before sunrise, my mom and I sat together in meditation – our hot steaming mugs of cacao warming our hands and hearts.

She turned and grinned at me and said, “I don’t think the number of my birthday is that important. So please quit telling people I just turned 95, okay?”

I got it that she thought I was reducing her to a number...

So I explained to her what I meant when I share her age.

“Mom, so few people make it this far in their years, still feeling so alive and full of joy. So, when people see you, or see a photo of you, they are amazed. That’s why I share your age – you are inspiration for many.”

She fell into silent contemplation for a while, and then she shared,

“Early in my life, I learned to accept and love life in all its beauty and tragedy.

I let love and goodness flow in and through me.

I learned to release and forgive hurts and grievances - what I no longer needed.

This way of being left me with a whole lot of easy space to receive and give love in my life. And people seemed to be drawn to me as I naturally let it flow,”

She reached out her left arm and hand as though she was receiving a gift.

Then she outstretched her right arm and hand as though to let go.

Signifying the flow that moves through her all the time. In one side and flowing out the other. Incoming and sharing of love and compassion. With a constant outflowing of grievances and pain – she simply lets it go.

We also gave her a birthday celebration this past week, in which many of her friends shared gratitudes and blessings for her presence in their lives – all the ways she has made a positive difference for each of them.

The theme was clear – they all felt deeply loved and seen by her, for who they are at a soul level.

They shared how she listened to them without judgment.

They shared how much her friendship meant to them.

They all spoke to her indominable spirit and playfulness. Her ability to delight in even the smallest, simplest things in her world – the beauty of a flower, a hummingbird at the feeder, the first star in a dusk sky. She drinks it all in and revels in it.

When I was younger, I discounted this behavior on her part.

However, now I understand it for what it is – an important portal to her sense of oneness with all of life.

She holds a simple but vital key to unlocking a profound love of life.

I need to point out that she has had deep losses and pain in this lifetime, too. She has buried a son and her beloved husband. She has survived multiple health challenges – some of them very painful at the time.

And yet, through it all, she always reached to love each moment, as best she could at the time.

And the effect on her and those around her is this radiance that moves through her and is shared with others – in laughter, in quiet joy and compassion.

She has been a deep inspiration for me in my life and my work.

Much of what I have shared with all of you, has come from her lineage.

We often speak to lineage trauma – but today I want to offer another view.

Who are the lineage holders in your life who are committed to the energy of love and compassion?

Are you someone who is a lineage holder for others?

Do you model self-care that keeps you full and able to radiate love to those in your world consistently?

Are you committed to your own healing so that your inner channel gets clearer and deeper with each day – so that those around you sense and feel it – bringing them more easily to their own soul knowing.

I dedicate this month’s article to you, Mom...and may you shine on for many more years to come.

My sister Deb and Mom at her celebration...

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