The Bliss Mistress Guide: An Early Snow

As I am typing these words, I am gazing out my window and watching an unusual, but not unexpected meteorological phenomenon...snow in October in Pennsylvania. Having lived in the Philadelphia area for most of my life (except for 2 years in sunny South Florida, where it actually got into the 40's one Christmas Day), I have commented that if you don't like the weather in these parts...wait a few minutes. Forecasters have been predicting this little blip on what otherwise could be an autumnal, crisp day. Instead, it is chilly with huge chunky flakes billowing down. Am I ever glad that I now drive a Jeep!

And yesterday, I bought rainbow hued fingerless gloves to celebrate the change of seasons and in anticipation of this early snowfall.

For weeks, my lawn has been carpeted with iridescent scarlet and orange leaves that had clung to sprawling branches, until the internal signal came to jump ship and spiral downward. I view this turn of events as I do most things in my life these days, when things don't go as expected...par for the course and nothing about which to get upset. Taught these attitudes by my wise parents, with what I called “Moishisms” (my dad's name was Moish) and “Momisms” (which sounds better than Selma-isms...my mom's name was Selma), I face them as gracefully as possible.

When 'life handed me lemons'. my father would say “If that's the worst thing that ever happens to you, you'll be o.k.” and my mother would offer, in what I call her 'Que Sera Sera' attitude “What will be, will be.” Mind you, their statements were not meant to indicate passive acceptance, but rather an attitude that indicated that I could make better choices and take positive action if I came from a grounded place, rather than a worrying, woe is me place. That being said, my father was a consummate worrier, thinking that it was a statement of love. I reminded him at times that 'worry is a waste of imagination.'

It is Halloween weekend. A year ago, I was in the brilliant sunshine in Ft. Lauderdale, sitting with my mother, as she prepared to make her journey into what was beyond imagination. Little did I know, that it would be the last time I would hold her hand, sing with her, be with her hug to hug. We made up trick or treat bags for three of her her neighbor kids, ranging in age from 5-16 as they came into her condo, walking past the hospital bed that was set up in the living room, which they had been accustomed to seeing on previous visits. As eager to be with their surrogate grandmother as to receive the sweet treats, my heart swelled with gratitude that she (and my father when he was living, until 2008) had lovingly influenced another generation with their sense of fun and playfulness. She was snuggled into the recliner chair, fleece blanket across her lap, as they approached her, showing off their costumes. Laughter and lighthearted conversation ensued as we spoke about Halloweens past, including the time when she had sewn pumpkin costumes for herself, my father, my sister and me for a family party we held at our South Jersey home.

Less than a month later, the woman who had raised me with love and laughter, had taken off her own corporeal costume and moved to merge with Spirit. No tears at the moment, as I write this, only a sense of peace that she is at such a party, thrown by the celestial celebration coordinator...for her there is definitely chocolate...all treats and no tricks.

I have come to appreciate that my parents raised me to be able to live without them, endowing me with skills to keep on keepin' on, being prepared for all eventualities, learned resilience and strength, confident that I could handle whatever came my way, donning my winter gear when needed, even when the need for them may be unexpected.

Edie Weinstein (a.k.a Bliss Mistress) is a journalist, motivational speaker, interfaith minister, social worker, PR Goddess and the delighted author of The Bliss Mistress Guide To Transforming the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary. She also writes a daily blog for Beliefnet. http://features.beliefnet.com/blissblog Her website is www.liveinjoy.org