West Grandmother

The sun is setting leaving beautiful reflections of pink and peach on the clouds above. An old woman sits beneath the tree on a blanket of russet and amber leaves. As she retreats into darkness she holds her shawl tightly around her against the chill in the air and wraps herself in solitude.

Many times she has railed against the injustices and pain to be found in her life. She has clung desperately to the old until circumstances have forced her through illness or crisis to at last let go. These lessons have not been easy ones. But they have built a great deal of endurance, strength, and courage within her.

She helps us learn to accept our losses and reminds us that life is ever changing. She nurtures us with her understanding that we must honor our need to grieve so that our tears may cleanse and renew us. We learn that beyond these losses lies a deep connection to the universe.