The Mother of All

This picture was taken last summer when my husband and I went to Mexico. It was our first time out of the country together. Kind of like the honeymoon that we never had. We were only there for a few days but managed to soak up as much of the sights, sounds, and culture as humanly possible. The instant that we arrived the call hit me like a ton of bricks. The sweet, yet herbaceous and salty air beckoned me to the sandy beach. Beautiful bands of blue in different hues stretched out before me with a pulse that was all too familiar. As the water lapped languidly at my feet I heard gentle murmurings. The soothing, yet stern motherly tone that could only be Yemaya, The Mother of All. I bent down to scoop up a handful a water to clean myself and parted my lips to pray. Through the clamor of beach goers I discerned a voice telling me, "not now." I knew that I would need time alone with her.

I woke up each morning at 5 a.m. to marvel at this aspect of Gods creation and bear witness to the birth of a new day. When the air was still, and the sun was just beginning to crest over the horizon I would walk out to the edge of the ocean and just sit. I was surprised at how truly magical it was. The timing and coordination of the sunrise along with the changes of color and sky dimension was like a perfect symphony. While the sky was vamping over its parts the ocean began its own melodic tune. It was better than any dream that I could have imagined. And then, as I sat on what seemed the be the edge of the earth, a conversation began. As my heart space opened so to did my unconscious mind and there we sat mother and daughter in a "conversation" a kin to one that I would have with my natal mother or grandmother. I was honored, humbled and comforted by this dialogue and carry every bit of its memory and responsibility with me everyday.

Cancún, Mexico