SHINE … By the Spirit™ with Tonya M. Evans

Reflections on a 103 year life well lived!

© 2012 Tonya M. Evans

July 27, 2012

Today is the birthday of my Grandmother, Celeste Jones Borden, a/k/a Nana!! This is the first birthday since her transition from this life back on March 30th of this year. So I spent a great deal of time this morning and over the last week, actually, reflecting on her life and her intensely bright SHINE.

And the memories have been all sweet, no bitter (as Oprah says).

I’ve written several times about the indomitable spirit, fortitude, strength, intelligence, humor and wit of my Nana. I am so grateful to possess so much of her in me and learned so much about how to live life well from my Nana.

Here are some recent posts about those lessons and reflections in the recent past:

• SHINE: Guided By The Spirit — Make Room for Living and Gather Lessons Like Flowers
• SHINE: Joy By The Spirit — Room to Grieve

On these benchmark moments of life (dates of birth and transition) as well as the big-ticket holidays (Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas) we often reflect on loved ones who have transitioned on from this life. Every time I think of or dream of my Nana (like today) the memories and reveries are always so beautiful and truly bring me joy.

Yes, I certainly do miss her physical presence. But after getting past the initial grief of accepting she left us in the physical realm, I was filled with the precious reality that hers was a life so very well lived. Then all I could do was to celebrate in gratitude and then, despite my human imperfections, resolve to emulate her divine example.

And she’s still with me. (more…)

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