She sleeps

We embark upon the Dormition fast. The year is coming to an end, she now sleeps...in September, she will be born and the cycle will begin again. The rise and fall of each liturgical year has a great beauty in its tides. Everything is blue for her, such a bittersweet, lovely change. As the leaves prepare for fall and impending frozen winter, she prepares her womb to bring forth something so magnificent, it is amazing how her simple flesh could contain something so full and perfect! How much love she must have in her human heart and soul to be counted worthy of such grace, humility and obedience. She will have her 40 days, which seems to reflect the 40 weeks we have for our own births. He will be born and there will be a baptism in the waters of the Jordan, a presentation in the temple and we will begin to ready ourselves for great lent. It will consume us again as we walk with her to the tomb and death and into new life. Joy and laughter, food and friends, family and closeness...she will be with us as the whole year changes, but will never fade or falter. Ever-present, ever-loving and forever Mother. Summer will begin again and fly away again and here we will sit again. Same hope, same anticipation, same heart only a Mother can hear and understand. Hearts will be saddened, but then will gain strength, she will be born and it will come again. Peace, contemplation, struggle, love and warmth awaits.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
(Luke 1:46-55)

'More honorable than the Cherubim
Beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim,
Thee, who without corruption gavest birth to God, the word
the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify'

May peace unto all who read this and love abound therewith.