“Good morning, it is so good to see you!”
This greeting, from someone who has not seen me for many years.
“You remember who I am!” I exclaim.
“Of course I do, my dear, welcome!”
Sliding back into my chair in the dining hall for my pre-workshop breakfast, I gaze at the colorful quilt hanging on the wall, handmade by one of my garden goddess sisters, Christiane Meunier. It greets me with vibrant patterns and images of visitors working in the vegetable gardens. Visitors…from homeless shelters in Philadelphia.
I shift my gaze out the window to the grounds beyond the stone terrace. Framing the pond on the far side of the property is a hedgerow of Leyland Cypress trees, donated by members and friends planting memorial trees in honor of a loved one. One of these trees was planted by another of my garden goddess sisters, Nancy Anderson, in honor of her parents.
Today I am here for a caregiver’s respite day. Other times I have taken art and spirituality workshops, Conversations That Matter series workshops, and spent weekends in the old Victorian home on the hill at women’s retreats. Once our group of women spent the day here celebrating a milestone birthday.
I recorded my experience of this respite day, Thursday, January 18, 2018, in my journal.
I am forever trying to persuade my friends (and Mother) to accompany me to experience its beauty and nourishment. And for the fellowship. This past Sunday, Mom and I finally did manage to visit together. Although she is in Ohio, we took an historic tour of the Victorian home and had tea with the group via ZOOM, due to COVID-19. I never would have imagined this would be how Mom and I would visit together.
Cranaleith Spiritual Center is my home away from home. Nestled in a northeast Philadelphia neighborhood, its roots are based in strong, activist women, most notably women from the suffragette movement in the 1920’s. Run by the Sisters of Mercy, it has expanded over the years to serve the community at large in myriad ways.
Their mission statement is so important to me, and I see how every decision made honors it:
“Inviting those at the center of need and those at the center of influence to reflection, reverent dialogue and meaningful partnerships.”
From their website:
Cranaleith, a Gaelic word meaning “sanctuary of trees,” is situated on 10 acres of wooded grounds. This sacred space provides inspiration and rejuvenation to many. We encourage you to explore this holy and natural oasis and pay particular attention to these features which invite you to reflect, pray, rest and heal.
