The 25th installment of my #MondayMantra series: I am free
Though it’s one day past Monday, it’s better late than never. I wasn’t going to make a Monday Mantra post this week, but since I have been working on some mantra style art to give to as Christmas gifts, I am utilizing that art for this week’s mantra post.
It seems as if every week this year I have seen someone making a post on social media about losing a loved one. After losing my beloved pets and someone I was very close to (my grandmother, Nani), as well as other grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins that I loved deeply, I have A LOT of empathy for anyone that is dealing with pain associated with death.
The holiday season seems to make old wounds open back up again, so I felt releasing this post now may be something others need.
One thing that helped me through losing my loved ones was writing about it. I have written and written about it, but I was truly able to dig even deeper into what death is to me when writing my first novel this summer. I got the idea after taking what was probably my millionth walk in a very well known cemetery, Cave Hill. The idea hit me so hard that as soon as I got home, I sat down and wrote, and wrote and wrote until I had written almost an entire chapter. About a month later, the rest of the story came to me.
Then, last week, I had an idea for artwork that pairs well with a speech I wrote in my book. The artwork contains butterflies drawn in ink that contain the initials of loved ones (that have passed on) within their wings. I drew them in a way that depicts the feeling that is felt when one’s soul moves on from one’s body.
Simple and free.
I am gifting the art along with the speech I wrote. Those that have received them so far have loved them. (See the testimonials at the bottom of my post) I cried along with the individuals as I explained what the art was.
Today, I will also gift the world with my speech via this space.
I cried many times while writing my novel (like…..hard, deep cries), and through this, true healing occurred. I poured my heart and soul into it and I hope that whoever reads it is helped through my words somehow.
Excerpt:
An excerpt from Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery written by Carolyn J. Braden
December, 2018
Dear Loved One,
I am gifting you with this specific part of the book (to go with my art) because I felt like it was the perfect gift for you. Call it God, my spirit team, or angels; I felt they encouraged me to have you hear it.
Here is the scenario that is happening in the book to help place you there:
Georgia’s beloved grandmother, Rose, passes away unexpectedly. This is the speech that is given by Georgia’s friend, Wyndym, at Rose’s memorial service in Chapter 29, which ends the book, but opens up a portal for many new adventures for Georgia and her new love (and soulmate), Preston.
Book 2, Georgia McMasters in Gatlinash and the Energy Vampires has already begun….. 😊
Love,
Carolyn
“Ladies, gentlemen, friends, family and more.” Wyndym began. “We are gathered here today in memory of Rose Jennefer Loving, also known as mother, friend, grandmother, sister, wife and more. She was a great spirit who loved very deeply. She cared for so many but most especially cared for her granddaughter, Georgia. She encouraged Georgia throughout her life to become the most awesome person she could be. And I know that Georgia has become very much that.” Georgia looked at Preston, and he smiled, winked and squeezed her hand.
Wyndym continued. “We all think that death is the end to life, but that is not so. Death is merely the beginning. The beginning of a freedom we will never know in human form. It’s a freedom so wonderful, and so big and so powerful, that we will rejoice when we all feel it once again. If you take anything with you from this beautiful day, take this one bit of knowledge. You aren’t in control. No matter how much you try and try and try to control life, there is always a much bigger plan in action. You can’t control this bigger plan. The Universe is in control of this plan and we must strive to remember the plan instead of control it.”
“It is time now that we all remember the joys that Rose brought to our lives and it is also time for us to remember the joy we can bring to the world. We must remember who we really are in order to do this, and I can help you remember this. We are brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, friends, cousins, neighbors, parents, grandparents and more. Even though we may call ourselves different titles, we are actually just one being. You know how sometimes you think of someone and all of the sudden they call you? It’s because we are connected. We are all connected in ways that would blow your minds. We are all one. Say this with me please!”
The crowd of Grandma Rose’s friends and family all said in unison “We are all one.” At this moment, Georgia looked up and could see Grandma Rose, Grandpa Felix, Judge Joe, and all the spirits that had helped her with the coyotes. They were all seeming to float in the air, looking down and all smiling.
“Even though we are all one, we all have different paths in life. In our different paths, we each have a purpose, a goal, a dream to fulfill. One thing I know you must do is this: serve out your life purpose. Until you do, your heart will never feel fulfilled. Find that purpose and live it out. If you love art, create art. If you love to help people, help people. If you love animals, take care of them. If you love doing all those things, do them. If you don’t know your life purpose yet, experiment with learning something new every day. Through this, you will find it.”
“Now, I’ll leave you with this message, dear ones and Georgia. You are loved. Rose loved you and it is your duty to carry on this love with you every minute of every single day for the rest of your human life. Love each other. Love each other with every bit of your soul. Tell it to one another. No matter what, you must love because love is all there really is.”
Georgia’s eyes welled up with tears, but none fell down her cheeks. She was more happy in this moment than she had been in a long time, for she knew she would have Grandma Rose, Grandpa Felix, Grandpa Joe, Gabriela and more with her in spirit and in her heart forever. She also had Preston, and he was definitely a dream come true. “I’d like to welcome Georgia McMasters up here with me now.” Georgia heard Wyndym say.
“Me, wait, what?” said Georgia. “It’s okay Georgia. I have another surprise for you.” Belle said while putting her arm around Georgia. Belle guided Georgia up the steps of the rostrum and handed her a white cage filled with butterflies. “Our grounds keeper knew a local lepidopterist that has been raising butterflies for a while now. He gave me these to set free. I thought it’d be a great symbolic way to show the freedom Grandma Rose has now.” Georgia felt her heart swell with joy. “This is awesome Belle! I love butterflies!” “He said just open the cage and they’ll fly out.” said Belle. “Okay. Here it goes.” said Georgia.
Georgia opened the cage and within a second, each and every color of the rainbow worth of butterflies flew out of the cage and into the sunny warm sky. As Georgia watched them fly into the sky, she could almost feel the same freedom they felt. She was anew and free to start her own life. Her own life using her talents to help as many animals and humans as she possibly could. She knew in this moment, life would only keep getting better and better and nothing would ever be the same. “Thank you everyone.” Georgia said while smiling across the crowd of beautiful people. “Thank you.”
Sending my light and love to all who need it!
Backstory on my mantra series:
A mantra is a word, phrase, or sound that is repeated to aid in meditation. You could also compare it to a sort of prayer. I feel my journaling and writing of my mantras is a form of meditation or prayer. It calms me and helps me make better sense of my feelings and all the thoughts swimming around in my mind.
I believe saying or writing something repeatedly, as you already have it, aids one in attaining dreams and goals. If you write something as you already have it, it makes you feel, somehow, as if it is truly happening no matter how drastic or scary it may seem. It's like a trick to help your brain catch up to what your heart desires.
Art Testimonials by Holly and Monica, December 2018