By Debra Basham, on January 22, 2026 Today is my birthday. If you are willing, you may wish to reflect on my birthday post from 2018 about “Corpse Prayer” at https://scs-matters.com/YellowBrickRoad/corpse-prayer/ My birthday posts are not always maudlin, but today I post with a warning: Not For the Faint of Heart.
After having become vigilant about weight back in the Twiggy super thin model days, I maintained 137 pounds for decades. Then after getting up to 147 the winter of 2023 I was able to be stable at 130. This past summer my weight started going down. I had my doctor do some tests along with my annual exam, but nothing showed up and I left for Florida at 125. Still wondering what my birthday ritual would be, yesterday morning early when I weighed myself I tipped the scales below 120, and anxiety set in.
I used a drawing/coloring/writing tool a colleague taught me a few years back and wrote:
Weight/Wait
All these years, wanting to be thin. Now nervous as the scales show just below 120 pounds. Is something wrong? Am I sick? Will I die?
Of course, we all do. But what am I waiting for? Is it possible to go before your time? Can the mystery be seen by the heart?
The story began long, long ago in 1992 shortly after my dad died. I have a published version of it called Where Moon Go? available for 99 cents, but the gist is that I asked God if my dad was okay where he was. I meant was he in heaven or hell, but I said, “I don’t want you to tell me what you think I want to know, I want to know what’s real.”
Things started happening. As I was driving, the moon would be hidden behind a cloud or a building and I would hear, “It looks like I’m gone, but I am still here.” When I realized this was the answer to my question about my dad, my world view shifted! You don’t have to agree with my experience — always ask your own questions to get to what is real. And that is part of this year’s birthday ritual which began with a text chain that led to my reading Jeremiah 33:3 with my sister and daughter and niece (published in Sacred Stories ).
I did an AI search asking the question, “Do the worlds’ religions think time of death is preordained?” Some interesting stuff there!
As I read through answers from Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, I begin to pray, “I want to know what’s real about human death, and I don’t want you to tell me what you think I want to know. I want to know what’s real.”
One of my persistent thoughts about a rise in human consciousness and a shift from 3rd density to 5th density is, “What could/would/will human life be like on earth with no fear of death?”
The one-year anniversary of the death of our older sister, Johnnie Sue, is coming up on January 31. That was some of the text chain that led to all of this. She died with no fear of death. So did my friend, Linda Higbee. Both of them lived with a lot of need to control and anxiety, but both of them passed with peace, praise God!
For those who did not go back and read the 2018 birthday blog, here is the “Corpse Prayer” again.
Corpse Prayer
Be not afraid.
I give thanks to god who created all things good.
In christ, all things hold together.
I am not entitled to life without death.
I embrace sacred life.
I embrace sacred death.
I embrace the growing and crumbling in between.
Smile at yourself in the silence…
~ Jarem Sawatsky
I wrote into my journal, “I want to know what’s real about human life on earth without fear of death….”
That afternoon, through myriad emotions, I shared all of this with my sister, Janis, telling her I realize the way to know is to LIVE life without fear of death.
By Debra Basham, on January 18, 2026 The truth about living in Lazy Days is that there is not enough time…. Of course, that is not true but it is how it feels.
The days start early. What fills the moments? Thoughts of all those we love. Thoughts of you. Family in Tennessee. Family and friends in Michigan. Family and friends in Florida. Family and friends in Texas…. you get the point.
One of the great joys of this Lazy Days season is that John is riding bike with me!!! His longest distance to date is 15 miles, and almost every day 10 miles. At his appointment Friday in Naples, the young cardiologist who diagnosed the need for a quadruple by-pass surgery 4 years ago here in Fort Myers said that is the best stress test he could have!
Many moments are filled with memories of what has been and thoughts of what is to come. I cook and clean and shop and puzzle, although the one I am working on now has been way to slow for my taste. It reminded me of the all-H (if you are a puzzler you know what that means) of Mount Rushmore with almost no shade or shape variation Linda Higbee did. A VERY good puzzler, she persevered to completion counting it a good day if she got three pieces in.
Yesterday, on the birthday of my sister (Janis) and my Florida meditation teacher (Sheilana) a precious and unusual friend completed his transition in Michigan. Ron was one of the most unique individuals in my life. Ron was a healer. He (and I) believe he (and the Lord) spared my life more than once. A genetic disorder left him blind and for the last six months a heart condition had him bed-bound under hospice care. Grateful beyond words that his wish to stay in his own home was granted, he spent most of his time alone, with caregiving for just a few hours each day.
Ron was filled with faith and conversations with him (sometimes MANY conversations each day or night) often began with him singing in spirit. We called it the HARP.
Then he would pray for anyone I was praying for.
He would often ask me to pray for folks he was praying for.
And, including during our last conversation on Wednesday, he would ask me if I thought his wish to get stronger and be able to get out of bed so he could do the Lord’s work would be granted. Over these past few weeks the way I was guided to answer was to tell him the truth – he was doing the Lord’s work. He was loving and praying for people faithfully whether he was in bed or not.
Today my heart is full as I follow Ron’s lead and pray for so many.
As my eyes are leaking….
By Debra Basham, on January 1, 2026 I have since an adolescent been enamored with New Years. Stacey was likely conceived on New Years Eve in 1965. Not ever a party-goer, and almost always in bed asleep before midnight, the theme — the GOD-GIVEN gift of new beginnings — deeply resonates with my soul.
When you see that every moment is fresh,
every moment is new,
every moment is changing,
every moment is arising — that’s reality.
~ The Daily Tejaniya
This year John and I went to the theater (less than 10 minutes away) to view the film Song Sung Blue. We had seen the trailer when we went to view Wicked For Good last week. I thought it was about Neil Diamond, but when Linda and Larry drove down from Blue House in Punta Gorda and picked us up at 6:15 pm she told me as we were parking the car that it was not. We were home by 10 but in between we were affected by the story of Wisconsin’s own Claire “Thunder” Sardinia and Mike “Lightning” Sardina, who performed together from 1989 until Mike’s death in 2006. One of their most memorable performances was at Summerfest in 1995, where they opened for Pearl Jam and sang “Forever in Blue Jeans” with Eddie Vedder. The film was excellent. Amazing performances by Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, with powerful acting by everyone.
This morning I listened to an interview with Claire Sardina following the opening of the film. A few of the words from that interview have been woven into my New Year meditation for 2026.
When asked if she thinks Mike would like the film, Claire responded, “He would love it. He does love it. He watches over me. He guides me….”
She reflected on the skills she learned from being with Mike, saying, “He was the overall entertainer — a true entertainer — there for the people (not for yourself).”
Claire heard Hugh Jackman say in one of his interviews, “We believe that if it wasn’t for Mike, this whole thing wouldn’t be happening. Because Mike was a dreamer.”
Her infectious positivity is highly influenced by Mike’s, “Attitude is everything. He was always saying ‘This, too, shall pass’ and I think it came from AA. That along with ‘You can do this’ were Mike’s favorite sayings.”
Claire said,”I pray a lot….” and she is still performing!
In their publicity Mike made a point of clarifying he was not a Neil Diamond impersonator. Claire helped him find the words to say what he felt, “I am an interpreter of the music of Neil Diamond.”
I imagine Mike telling you to be your best you in every moment. Every moment is an opportunity to be an interpreter of the highest expression of your holy self.
May your New Year be filled with inner peace, compassion, and joy in the present moment. May you love and be loved and know that you ARE love…. May the words of the childhood song “Jesus loves me” fill your heart and soul to overflowing. May all beings come to the end of suffering. May 2026 be a healthy and Happy New Year!
By Debra Basham, on December 28, 2025 Christmas Day was enjoyed at Blue House with Linda and Larry and homeowners, Jim and Mary. Everything was delicious and when you are not with your beloved family it means so much to be with friends who are family in every sense except blood. John was grateful our five dollar (11 pound) turkey did not look like a capon. Larry marinated it and it was beautiful, moist, delicious — and we came home with enough white meat and plans for a pot pie made and enjoyed today!
Friday John and I rode bikes on an 11-mile adventure from Lazy Days Village in North Fort Myers. It takes heads-up riding to stay safe here because of traffic, and whatever you do that demands your full attention is an excellent spiritual practice of mindfulness and concentration. It has been said that the goal of 2026 is INTENTION and ATTENTION. We had lots of both. As we crossed the last of the major intersections, this one at Tamiami Trail and Littleton Road, John said, “Well, we survived.”
At that exact moment, I saw a butterfly and thought of Doug’s mom, Gail, who visits us with wings and heard, “We all survived.”
If you aren’t new to Yellow Brick Road you are familiar with this idea. The metaphor that makes the most sense with experience is recognizing the difference between a car and a driver: The driver still exists after leaving the car.
Yesterday, John and I drove up to Arcadia to attend the Heartland -Southwest Florida Bluegrass Association monthly music event with our music friend, Paula. She dances in her chair and helps me feel our beloved Molly from Michigan. Weather was perfect and John won $125 in the 50/50 raffle. A great day!
 Screenshot Thus far, this winter’s seasonal life has been rife with newness. Christmas Eve John and I went to the theater to see Wicked For Good. Only about a dozen people at the 7:45 pm showing, and I confess to dozing off a bit. I had to spend some time reading a really good plot summary on Christmas morning, but during the singing of “For Good” I was wide awake.
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better? I do believe I have been changed for the better. Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.
You’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart….
May the echoes of Christmas sing truth to your heart as you prepare to welcome the New Year.
“For Good” as sung by Ariana Grande (Glinda) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) with the full lyrics below:
FOR GOOD
From “WICKED”
(sung by two people)
I’m limited *just look at me*
I’m limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn’t do
Glinda
Because now it’s up to you *for both
of us*
Now it’s up to you
(Glinda)
I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led to those
Who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well I don’t know if I believe that’s
true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a Sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for
the better?
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
(Elphaba)
It well may be
That we may never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learn from you
You’ll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories
end
I know you have rewritten mine
By being my friend
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind of the sea
Like a seed dropped by a sky bird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for
the better?
But
Because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I’ve done you’ve
blamed me for
But then, I guess
We know there’s blame to share
And none of it seems to matter
anymore
Like a comet pulled from orbit Like a
ship blown from its mooring
As it passes a Sun By a wind of the
sea
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Like a seed dropped by a bird
Halfway through the wood In the
wood
(Both)
Who can say if I’ve been changed for
the better?
I do believe I have been changed for
the better
(Glinda)
And
Because I knew you
(Elphaba)
Because I knew you
(Both)
Because I knew you
I have been changed
For good
By Debra Basham, on December 24, 2025 Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
So here we are it’s Christmas,
The most wonderful time of year,
When our minds turn to our loved ones,
And those we hold most dear,
May the memories and traditions,
That have always played a part,
Make this season special,
Bringing joy into your heart.
I had intended to post this on Facebook, in fact, I thought I had, but we were navigating lengthy internet outages on Sunday and Monday morning. I just now found the unpublished post, so it will launch today’s Merry Christmas and Happy New Year message.
Yesterday a precious Jewish friend sent an email wishing me a Merry Christmas. When I asked Google to search, “What is Christmas to non-Christians?” this was the response: For many, it’s an opportunity to connect with family and friends, enjoy festive traditions, and embrace the warm atmosphere of the season. The appeal of decorations, music, and shared meals transcends religious boundaries, making Christmas a celebration of human connection.
The days leading up to Christmas this year are filled with more raw emotion than any I recall. On Sunday Jane Foster surprised me with a telephone call after her major complications following a 12-hour ileostomy surgery in late September. She has been hospitalized for weeks now. When she was not able to talk on the phone we figured out I could send brief text messages recorded with Voice Memos.
Our beloved Florida friends are still in Canada as they continue to navigate her having been diagnosed in June with glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer.
Yesterday, Stacey’s dear friends made one of life’s toughest decisions and removed life-support for their wife and mother following a severe stroke this past weekend. She passed 8 hours later.
Also, yesterday, John’s cousin posted on Facebook that his beloved wife passed the previous evening.
Tonight, on Christmas Eve 2025, John and I have tickets to attend the 7:45 pm showing of the film Wicked For Good. When I selected our seats online late last evening, we were the only seats purchased for this time and date. My only other “private” showing at a cinema was for Lion King in 1994. It is bittersweet because last year we were with our grand children when we saw Wicked in Smyrna, Tennessee, and then met the rest of the family (including our great-grandson Jackson) for Mexican food afterwards.
Zan Henigan Lombardo is a beloved artist friend here on Pine Island I have mentioned many times over the years because she paints amazingly significant ginormous (30-foot!) water color paintings. She hosted a Flash Mob Art event for her current project “Swimming Towards the Light” this past Saturday. I would have loved to attend but we were going to the magical musical launch for Bonnie Makepeace with Rochelle Morris that day. This morning I saw a video of Zan’s group and this is what I replied: This looks like a visual-version of a group meditation or a concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir — the good stuff is all better en masse!
As all are wished a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, my heart holds the pleasant and the unpleasant life events happening simultaneously. Perhaps the simplest truth may be the same for everyone: It’s ALL better en masse….
By Debra Basham, on December 20, 2025 It’s still dark as I lie in my bed with words coming through my head. These words have to do with Bonnie Makepeace, singer songwriter, and beloved friend. I’ve written about her music before. Today John and I are driving 150 miles to the home of Norm and Rochelle Morris, in San Antonio, Florida. They authored the book Jingles Promise I have also written about. The book is their story of the loss of their adult son.
Bonnie shares their loss of an adult son.
As does the Mother of Jesus.
Today we are attending a by-invitation-only launch of music by Bonnie and Rochelle. Music that has been birthed within this past year. The admission is a donation of non-perishable foods for the local food pantry. In my heart, it is so significant that Bonnie is bringing this new music through. It’s music I’m savoring, and I think it’s music the world is hungry for — even those who don’t know they are.
You see, the lyrics Bonnie is receiving as downloads are revealing to the world the Christ, not just the man Jesus that is alone worthy of love, but to The Christ, the energy that is the bedrock of what is good in every religion, and in all of life.
Words of religion can end up working as swords, causing an unintentional gap built of labels. These “new” gospel songs create a bridge among all peoples of this world. This music is built on the pillars of love, peace, and clarity. This music is truly transrational. (See Drama Triangle)
This has been a blessed week of music.
We were at a jam on Tuesday night with lots of Christmas songs. Thursday evening, we attended the Christmas concert at Sacred Heart Catholic Church here in Punta Gorda, Florida. We went with Jim and Mary, our landowners of Blue House, where we lived for the last two winters. We love them and we loved the concert last year and this year did not disappoint. The sanctuary seats 1500 people, and Father Jerry herded a dozen or more who were standing in the back of the room up onto the chancel, saying, “These are the best seats in the house.”
I have heard several Christmas songs for the first time. You see, I don’t think Bonnie Makepeace is alone. And, yes, that is her actual (married) name. I think Bonnie is among others writing what is coming through their hearts onto this planet, bringing more love and more light into the world with words we’ve been able to speak (or sing) before. It’s funny how your words change when your heart is truly open. The kindness, the awareness, the love pours forth in words that don’t come from your head. These words come directly from your heart.
I don’t think it’s an accident that today’s concert is happening on December 20th and tomorrow is December 21st. Here we are, poised between the darkest day and the coming of the light. Collectively, humanity is also poised between the darkest day and the coming of the light.
I’m really not looking forward to the drive in Florida’s notorious high season traffic, but I am sooooo looking forward to the music.
I’m looking forward to experiencing it with others that we love: Ed Bennett and Teresa Palmer and her beloved Patrick. We are praying that Ed’s wife, Dee, will be physically well enough to be able to attend today. I know she’ll be there with us in our hearts, along with the sons of Rochelle and Bonnie and Mary….
Obviously we don’t know what the traffic will be like until we have made the trip, and we don’t know what our world is going to encounter as we travel on down the road of these last days of 2025 and into the year 2026 and beyond. We know that these are very chaotic and volatile times (like the traffic in Florida in high season), but, oh, Dear Friends, the trip is worth it.
I’ll be taking all of you with me in my heart today. I hope you love the music. I hope it touches your heart. Do you hear what I hear?
Note* Here are a few of the “new-to-me” Christmas songs from the Sacred Heart concert:
Francesca Battistelli: “Be Born In Me (MARY)”
MercyMe – Joseph’s Lullaby
Amy Grant – Breath Of Heaven (Mary’s Song)
By Debra Basham, on December 8, 2025 For years we have had a hand-held slot machine game on the back of the toilet in our master bathroom. It is incentive for me to take the time to sit and allow body functions to do their thing. While this might seem like too much information for some, the process of allowing time and appreciating the process is a direct result of my having postoperative ileus. POI is a common complication where normal gut movement (peristalsis) temporarily stops after surgery, causing a functional blockage, not a physical one. Symptoms include bloating, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and inability to pass gas or stool, leading to delayed eating. Management focuses on supportive care like IV fluids, nutrition, and sometimes a nasogastric tube. NOTE – This photo is from 2012.
I can testify that a nasogastric tube is not fun…. but even challenging situations produce welcome awareness.
Starting a new game on the slot machine gives you 500 points. YEARS ago, I had the machine up to almost 20,000 when the battery died. Since that time I have been curious whether the machine was programed to end at 20,000 or if the battery life produced the premature end of an endless game.
On Thursday, I got the machine up to 19,990!!!! I was ecstatic to know the reality of the playing of this game — downright giddy when I hit the max bet button. The illuminated display went to 19,999 and went no higher. I could place bets and the display would show me wins, but no additional score could or would be added. I waited two full days to manually end that game and start a new one.
In NEXT 3 WEEKS Ignite the 2026 REVOLUTION — 3I/ATLAS Begins a 12,000-Year Reset with Pam Gregory and Emilio Ortiz she is sharing the astrology for these last few weeks of 2025 and into 2026. Watching, I saw and felt the direct correlation to this slot machine game. The past has been filled with wins and losses but, all along there have been operations and rules and processes that have been (and are) at play. Reasons for things exist outside of my knowledge.
I appreciate recognizing a higher expression of ourselves — a more multidimensional, a more living, a more loving being. I appreciate awareness that processes have been in play for thousands of years and this time is scripted for our success. A few statements in the 90 minute talk have stayed central in my mind. They open my heart and they will be with me as we play this new game:
Don’t give life support to what’s dying.
This is fertilizer for your soul.
Turn your focus to what we want to create.
By Debra Basham, on November 27, 2025 Today is “Thanksgiving Day” in the US. The modern holiday was established by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, though the first Thanksgiving is often linked to the 1621 harvest feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.
Today is also the birthday of Eldon John Basham. As I write his name I have the thought, “Don’t ever name your child and call him or her by their middle name.” It makes a mess in the ordinary world.
I am awake before daylight (the likely result of my having once again gone to bed about 2 hours earlier than my ‘normal’ bedtime). Alexa is shuffling songs by Alan Jackson as I start working on a jigsaw puzzle. This one is of The Major Arcana — a collection of 22 Tarot cards that unveil the fundamental archetypes of human existence.
The subject of this puzzle opens up an inner dialog with what I came to call Holy Spirit many years ago as the name “God” dissipated in my thoughts and prayers. If I called out to God, whose God or which God would I be speaking to? YHWH is the Bible’s commonest name for God. Hinduism has the concept of 330 million gods, a symbolic number representing the infinite manifestations of the one supreme, formless reality called Brahman. There are the Greek Gods and the Roman Gods.
To many Native Americans, the Great Spirit is a supreme, all-encompassing force or being that represents the essence of the universe and all living things. It is often viewed as the creator of the world, a life force that is present in nature, and a source of guidance and harmony. The specific name and interpretation can differ between tribes, but the concept emphasizes the interconnectedness of all existence and a universal, divine power. Perhaps my tiny bit of Native American blood (the wonders of modern DNA testing) mingled with my Christian beliefs to influence my heart’s landing on the term Holy Spirit.
On this day I have so much to give thanks for and my heart also carries myriad impressions of the passing of my sister in January, and this past week of our long-time music friend, and the many dear ones navigating complex medical conditions — some at home and some hospitalized.
This brings to mind the true befuddlement of worshiping an “omnipresent god” while noticing or pointing out all of the places god is not. Maybe there are not 330 million gods, but when asking myself how does my heart hold simultaneously all of the grief and relief on this day of thanksgiving, the only answer that seems honest is to say, “How could the heart not?”
I saw this on the Facebook page of Daily Shaman:“If you’re looking for me, follow the stillness where the forest breathes between worlds. I walk the spiral path, where moss remembers and thresholds dream.”
By Debra Basham, on November 24, 2025 This winter John and I are in North Fort Myers. It is an unfamiliar home in a mostly-unfamiliar area. I have, on several occasions after having gone to the grocery store discovered when I was at home starting a meal, realized something I thought I had was something I had had at home in Michigan. Ugh!
Additionally, the past three years we co-housed with Linda and Larry and I thought I had done a fairly good job of bringing the things I had not brought the past several years. But, even with the intention and the planning and the packing every square inch of the van it has been necessary to make MANY trips to the store. Just the navigating is a challenge, but add to that the fact that I don’t love shopping. And this area is very busy. Plus, Thanksgiving is this week.
So, on Saturday morning I decided I was going to Aldi with a long list to make it until after Thursday without having to go again. I don’t use a cart. It is too cumbersome to get around. Especially when the store is busy. I use up to four of my own shopping bags. They were all full when I got to the self checkout.
As I finished scanning my order I looked in the trash for any discarded receipts. I get these for Linda. She uses an app to get money back. I was so excited to spot three!
I managed to get four bags of items into three bags so that I had a free hand to also carry the large take-and-bake pizza to the van. Then I figured out how to get from Aldi to Publix. As I pulled out my credit card I had a distinct feeling that I had no memory of paying for my order at Aldi. I left the store and vacated my parking spot to a waiting shopper-wanna-be and I pulled around the back of the store and drove to the far end of that strip mall behind Aldi.
Stopping the car, I walked to the back and opened the hatch. There were the three “found” receipts, but no receipt for my purchases!
I drove around the building and with a pounding heart I approached a woman running a register, saying I needed to speak to a manager. She said she was part of the management team, asking what I needed. “I was in here a bit ago and went through the self-check lane. When I went to pay for my items at Publix I realized I had not paid for my order. I was on counter number two.”
“I know,” she said. When it was discovered, she had tried to void the sale, and the register had crashed and needed to be rebooted. She called for another manager to come up, and stepped away from her register to update him. They both went to a far aisle to see if they could reactivate the sale before she returned to her check-out lane.
I heard her explain what was going on to another manager that came to help. “That lady realized she had not closed out her purchase and she came back in to pay.”
The lines were to the back of the store by this time….
I kept offering to go bring everything in and scan it all again. He continued to tell me that he did not want me to have to go to that trouble.
Both of these individuals knew my transaction had been $72 and some change. He continued to work on the register before deciding to make a call to corporate and secure permission to just ring up that amount and receive payment.
Overwhelm. Regret for the inconvenience to both of them and the whole store of shoppers. Embarrassment. I tried but failed to hold back the tears.
As he handed me the receipt he stood up, motioned to me with his hand, opened his arms wide before stepping forward to give me a hug, saying, “You are a good person. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”
Less than an hour later I had opportunity to share this story with a friend. As I repeated those precious words that had been spoken to me by that manager, I had a profound sense this assurance was not just for me personally and I was overwhelmed by the sacredness of having been a part of an outplaying for the ONE.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, GOODNESS, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.” ~ Galatians 5: 22 -23
May all beings come to know their intrinsic goodness.
Tears are welling up again two days later as my fingers move over the keys on the keyboard giving words to this holy happening at Aldi….
By Debra Basham, on November 19, 2025 Our niece sent us an unusual door mat as a “housewarming gift” for our seasonal home in Florida. It is a religious-themed retro sunburst that reads: “I Am Blessed Coming In” from one direction, and “I Am Blessed Going Out” from the other direction.
Shortly before the package arrived, I had told John we needed to get a nice rug for the kitchen door since we were unable to use our front door. After Jen’s gift arrived, I loved walking in and out of that kitchen door and feeling the blessing, but after only a couple of trips in or out — although the message was still precious — it bothered me this meaningful mat would quickly become soiled.
I have moved it to the front door to keep it pristine. I am not sure where it will end up!
Initially I was touched so deeply that the Holy Spirit inspired Jen’s gift. She had ordered the gift before my thinking the mat needed to be replaced…. As the message worked more deeply in my heart, however, I saw the bigger picture as it relates to what we call birth (coming in) and death (going out).
“Birth” is more often seen as a blessing. “Death” can sometimes be seen as a blessing when old age, sickness, or pain and suffering are present. We have several very dear ones on this latter path right now. For some, no amount of pain or suffering generates a welcome mat experience of feeling blessed by going out.
Last week John and I stopped over in Zephyrhills to make music with dear friend, Ed Bennett. Rochelle Morris and Bonnie Makepeace were at that jam. We had met Rochelle “Sherpashell” Morris several years ago. She is co-author of Jingles’ Promise, a book about the death of their adult son, written with her husband Norm “Jingles” Morris. It has been a soul connection, meeting them, and we love making music with Rochelle.
We had met Bonnie through Rochelle last year when we were here visiting with Ed and his wife, Dee. The harmony of Bonnie and Rochelle is spectacular. Hearing a couple of Bonnie’s new original songs, and the sharing she and I had afterwards have left a deep yearning in my heart for more. I want to see the lyrics written out. I imagine being able to say, “Alexa” shuffle songs by Bonnie Makepeace and hearing: True love doesn’t fade; true love doesn’t die; here in my heart, Mother’s alive….
Your heart can hear in Bonnie’s new lyrics a transformational world view I pray daily for humanity to experience fully. This world view was expressed precisely in November 17, 2025 podcast with Ky Dickens called The Telepathy Tapes – Our Paranormal Afterlife: Finding Proof of Life After Death. (Shared with me by Claudia.)
We are blessed coming in and going out. And we are blessed going out and coming in.
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