"There is no freedom without awe"~Heschel

Please stop by SkyWatch Friday to view amazing sky photos from around the world.

Sometimes, buried deep in the dark and cold earth of winter it is hard to fully feel the abundant blessings in our lives. We are wrapped up tight in our own inner depths, growing beneath the surface in ways that may not be clear even to ourselves. With spring's arrival, emergence, begins. We push ourselves up out of the rain softened earth, stretching toward the heavens, experiencing freedom anew.


I love this! My sweet rabbi and friend Jon Spira-Savett sent it out with several other Heschel quotes to congregants today in the midst of Pesach and in preparation for Shabbat.

"There is no freedom without awe. We must cultivate many moments of silence to bring about one moment of expression." ~ Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel


And of course freedom looks different to us at different times in our lives. But it feels every bit as expansive in our hearts, no matter what. All of todays photos were taken the morning we arrived in PA. Gordon took me for a walk...and I did walk with my cane for quite a while (for me), but we had my chair too so I could be out and enjoy the sunshine longer.



As Gordon and I made our way through my parent's nearly silent neighborhood, taking in the astounding beauty of the budding and blossoming branches Yirah (Awe) was what we experienced. I hope these photos express that well enough for you to feel it too.

Gathered 'round the Seder table were my Mother and Father, my brother Owen and sister-in-law MaryLou, two of their daughters-Sarah and Becca (Rachel was away at college but made a skype appearance), my sister Amy and my brother-in-law Eric, their two kids-Reggie and Willie, my Aunt Sallie and Uncle Norm, my cousin Sharon and her husband Jerry and daughter Elizabeth, my cousin Joe and his wife Heather and their little ones-Alex and Zoe, my cousin Bill and his daughter Sydelle (all the way from California!), my husband Gordon, me and our daughters Belin and Rosewillow. My sister Pam lives down in Atlanta, GA and could not attend. Also at our table were all of our loved ones who are no longer physically present...Nana Reggie, Aunt BeBe, Aunt Rosie, Uncle Phil, Uncle Jody, Aunt Gloria, cousin Wendy-we felt your love as we sang dayenu and passed the antique lemon dish and tea bags and tasted Nana's sponge cake.

Last year I was unable to be in the car long enough to tolerate the 6.5 hour ride down to PA...so being with everyone this year felt like another kind of freedom!

I am continuing with my metta practice and thoroughly enjoying Sylvia's enriching teachings...they are a perfect complement to Pesach. What could be more freeing than opening our hearts to others and ourselves with kindness and compassion?

May all beings feel safe.
May all beings feel happy.
May all beings feel strong.
May all beings live with ease.

And to all my Christian friends celebrating Easter this weekend, I wish for you as much joy and love as I experienced gathered with my family this past weekend. May we all feel renewal and spiritual awakenings at this time.