Cathy S. Martin

In Preparation for my Birth day

In gratitude for all that I have received in my lifetime of 62 years: My family, friends, animals, my profession, my music, my church-St.Paul UMC, my spiritual community, all of my travels, the GOC, the Earth Tribe, Being a Citizen of Mother Earth.  The gift of living on Ft. Phantom Lake and everyday seeing the sunrise and the sunset on the water- being part of the Sailing Association.

I have traveled across the US, starting my life on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico- at Ramey AFB. I have lived in Oklahoma, California, Ohio, Massachusetts, Arizona, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and now Texas.   I have skied the top of mountains on the East and West Coast, rode the waves at Wild Wood, NJ, sailed around the Caribbean ,Virgin Islands, hiked mountains in New England, Sailed the Intercoastal waterway from the Chesapeake Bay to North Carolina.  I have participated in Sweat Lodges,  have been to the Grand canyon, deep inside the Carlsbad Cave, sang, danced and traveled to Peru and the top of Machu Picchu.

My life is such a wonderful adventure- oh the people I have met, and joined with along the way  Thank you Great Spirit for all that I have received and have been able to share  with others

Moving from maiden to mother to now grandmother, embracing my 62 years on our Mother Earth.

Thank you  for all who have joined with me.  In love and gratitude.  Grandmother CatSue 

Gazing over the water

Enjoying the beauty of the moment

the stillness of the water

cloud formations  touching the heavens

Moving in and out from being present

in the beauty

and being pulled inside to the

mundane- the tasks of daily living

and the impact of 26 years of 

collecting

Letting go- box by box

bag by bag

treasures that can be used

 and items that can be discarded- their usefulness past prime

paintings from the past tucked away on a tall shelf 

now mildewed with time- released into the pile of trash

Where did the time go?

How did I get to this point in my life?

Accumulation for years now saying I have more than enough

it's time to let go!

A new day

A new start

Soaking in the Rays

of the Sun

While I dive under

to feel the presence

of all that is

the water that sustains 

the life of all

Swimming Creatures

Floating on a wave

As the Breeze gently moves me

to new beginning

New Yearnings

new depths

Acceptance

Love without attachment

Sense of Joy, Peace

Freedom fills my core

Contentment

Being in the Moment

I am, You are, we are all

Connected

In this web of life

Birds sing

trees moving to the Flow

of the Ever changing wind

( Many changes since I last wrote- a beautiful new grand daughter, my daughters beautiful wedding and seeing my family, my son returning from Africa, trip to the Kerrville Folk Festival, Drumming Circles, Gathering of the Circles on top of the mountain in Cloudcroft New Mexico, friends, relationships, sailing, performing on Earth Day, singing, Thank you to all who have joined me on this journey!)

My life has been an adventure! My first view of life was in the tropics of Puerto Rico- palm trees, tourquoise water, whte sands, the sound of the ocean.  Traveling around the world- I have seen many beautiful sites- Sailing in Lake Champlain, skiing in Vermont, Maine, Colorado, Utah, Hiking the mountains in New Hampshire, the sacred sites of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, Peru- Machu Pichu, Sailing the Caribbean Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Canyon De Chelle, Cloudcroft, New Mexico

So many adventures- so much  beauty around the world-and every day I wake up look outside my backyard- Ft. Phantom lake- Beautiful sunsets, changing weather patterns, sailing across the waters, full moon drummings, friends, family, the four leggeds, the winged ones, the crawling ones, mystical, the standing ones, the two leggeds, magical, all encompassing. all students all teachers- 

Life is an adventure- Always live each day in Gratitude!  Thank you for being part of my journey! Letting Go!  

Thank you for my eyes to see the beauty of the world

My arms to reach toward the heavens

My legs to take me where I need to go

My nose to smell the fragrance of the roses

My ears to hear the birds singing 

My mouth to sing forth praise

My hands to touch the soft fur of my loving long haired cat

My heart to feel the drum beat of the universe

    and the connection to all that is

Lessons from my grandson-  Take time to enjoy every moment  , no one is a stranger, enjoy the simple things in life- the sound of a rattle, throwing stones into the water and watching them make a big splash, swing high, jump often, run fast, go for a stroll around the circle, ride your tricycle, keep active, and smile a lot!