Here and After

One of the greatest women I have felt so blessed to know- My beautiful grandmother is on her final part of her journey here and we all just love her so much. She is an artist and her creativity and stlye touched all parts of her life, from her art to her clothing to her family. I hope to be able to find my vision one day like she has done her whole life. I remember a dream  she told me of about her husband and son, whom had passed away. She dreamt they were sailing together, and with such peace and light. They both loved to be on the water. A few days ago I lie crying in bed thinking of our Muzzie, as we call her and I thought of her with Gene, my grandfather, and my uncle, Jeff when she leaves us to be reunited in their love, and wrote this (as if the words of my grandfather). My mom asked me to share so…I love you Muzzie Baby.

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The day so beautiful I wept..
 
We are sailing seamlessly across blue-green brilliance, as if floating over a glass sea. Shapes and shadows appearing and reforming the water- reflections of God’s beauty.
 
I glance behind and the water is white, tumbling against itself and off the outboard motor and back into the great expanse of ocean.
 
This day is magnificent. Cool air rushes past my cheeks, body warming in the sun. The air seems to move in and around me, though not to cool or warm- in a word, pleasant.
 
I feeI I could fly- right into the billowed sails of clouds, all tufted and white. The sky glistening blue and eternal, encompassing more than the day but the feeling when nature is so breathtaking it fills your well. Your heart beats softly in calm motion guiding your breath to slow and deepen, joyous flutters in your stomach. A feeling so piercing  you feel love unworldly, as if everyone you have ever loved and everyone you will is surrounding you -hands upon your heart.
 
So caught up in the moment, it takes me a short while to comprehend the extraneous noise coming from behind. When I step through the arbor of my thoughts into the moment present I turn and stare- there she is.
 
“Hi”, she says with an open smile, in her deep elegant voice- paint brush in hand already talking about beauty and gratefulness and all the colors and, oh how she loves all the beautiful landscapes.
 
With that she walks up beside me as I sit and I place my hand on the back of her knee. I glance up and in one graceful motion she sweeps her paintbrush across the sky. Colors of the heavens drip along the skyline- ceruleans, magentas, ochres- all the colors of the rainbow bursting into fireworks of light. I have never seen such magnificence, but of course she does beauty remarkably well. She laughs at my admiration.
 
Again I am transfixed in a dream of beauty and am startled when I feel his strong hand and loving grip upon my shoulder- I turn and beam. He sweeps her up, gleaming smile and asks her to come sit.
 
He places her gently on the bow and they dangle their feet over the side. Water and air dancing against the soles of their feet. It looks so refreshing.
 
I listen for awhile as they talk- her asking about his days, how proud she is of him. She laughs and he hugs her, placing his arm around her small frame and pulling her in tight. Her first born, her learning curve- thick as thieves, her pride and she his queen.
 
They stay that way for awhile. I turn to look water to sky once more. One arm crossed under my chest and one resting with two fingers alongside my temple. Staring beauty in the eye- it wins every time. It moves my soul and I am on my knees- grateful for its abundance.
 
I walk, lingering- looking through the water until my face, blurry and flat, is staring back. I lift my head and turn towards the Captain’s chair. I start the engine and she appears at my side.
 
She looks a bit taken back. I tell her thank you for loving me all this time, you could have shared your heart but instead you saved it for me once more- and I am humbled.
 
Her eyes soften and grow deep. Admiringly she touches my face and sweetly says, “My darling, take me home.”
 
I am, my love, I already am.

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