Remembering my youth and the experience of going back to school took me bluntly out of the freedom of summer vacation, into the organization of books and classrooms.  Happily, the change of season brought a new fall outfit to my closet and renewed friendships. As years passed, fall brought to me memories of high and low points in my life, all opportunities for personal growth and new insight into myself. New career obligations in my mid twenties found freedom with my horse named Brandy. Fall trail rides, camp fires and country dances filled the weekends that I longed for and special holidays with family, friends and fun.
 
Seasons and certain days on the calendar take us to emotions of joy or pain. I remember the summer of 1966…my first romance and the blistering heat at the lake. There are days I will never forget and when I remember I can feel the tears come up in me….re-living the love or pain.  Every April 25th and March 9th I feel the joy of my daughters’ births.  Each rainy day I will remember my daughter Lindsay as she arrived on a horse and carriage to her wedding ceremony…her beauty took my breath away. Each time I am in an airport I experience my heart again and again as I enjoy the memory of meeting my beloved Bruce and my step-daughter Jessica. Every time I walk in the woods I feel my daughter Lauren’s small hand in mine.  Tears of joy and laughter well up in my heart as I remember and feel my life. 
 
Today I sit with great compassion for the victims of the New Orleans disaster. Memories of great loss will never allow the end of summer to live without painful emotions. As will Sept. 11th re-unite all of us with the devastation and death of loved ones.
 
Many men and women give up so much to help others when there is pain and suffering. Personal courage and inner strength makes a hero.
 
I feel gratitude for every hero and I feel compassion for each person who faces struggle and pain.
 
We are all one in this place of pain and struggle and we are all one in the freedom of our hearts where love is waiting. Take care of your inner emotional world as memories and life’s traumas suddenly cause upset or change. Our own struggles in life may keep us separate from our compassionate heart. When we are constant with our own heart experiences, we can each be available and present with our compassion and courage.