To my Friends, You Warriors of Love, You Defenders of Light:
My stepdad, a Defender and Protector of those he loved, died last week. And as I write these words I have to be honest. I’m not sure where this lunar love note will go and how well crafted it will be.
So I ask of you your kindness and your patience in allowing me to write a personal reflection with an Aries bent under the bright spotlight of this Harvest Full Moon (September 24, 8:52 pm MST).
“What do you love about writing?” he asked.
From my stepdad’s hospital bed, this question for me would be his last before he took his final breath 36 hours later (September 17th at 5:25 am).
A man of few words even in the most talkative of times, a lump formed in my throat as I sensed how little time we had to discuss matters such as these, the cancer in its most aggressive form rapidly attacking his lungs.
I wiped away tears as I moved my body to the side of his bed.
I told him about my love of inspiring in others the desire to dream a big, beautiful life and to unlock the keys to living those dreams in learning the love language of the Moon and the archetypes found in our birth charts.
“Huh,” he replied with some satisfaction.
We chatted a minute more about how strongly I believe we can be the Heroes and the Heroines of our own Love Story based on a higher vision and a grander plan than what many of us believed we ever could.
Secretly, I was hoping he’d hear what I was saying and decide at that moment, he would commit to writing his own miraculous story where the Hero pulls through, heals the cancer and lives a long, happy life.
But some part of him and some part of me knew better.
On this Full Moon, through the big, fat tears I’m crying, I’m contemplating the pain I have about his physical absence, but I’m also thinking about my life purpose in light of the Warrior I saw in him who shaped the Warrior I see in me.
My stepdad had a hard life in many ways, but he was a Fighter–not a Fighter who used his fists or even his words. He was kinder than that.
He had regrets and hurts and secrets and dark times like many of us do but instead of hurting others in the harmful ways some Fighters do, much of the pain remained inside–but not all of it. He was a Lover too.
A Fighter and Lover as well, I learned later in life that I had to transform the pain or it would eat away at me too. I wanted to become a Warrior for Love and show others a way through a tragic childhood, a horrible breakup, an unfulfilling career, a series of heartbreaks.
To do this, I had to lay down a long time ago the weapons that harm–guilt, shame, sarcasm, dishonesty, control, isolation, unforgiveness, anger, self-deprecation, self-loathing–the list has been long.
Sometimes I become stuck in emotional quicksand and often I invoke one or more of the archetypes from the Aries clan to blow me sky high, leaving the role of the Victim far behind, free once again of the traps that make me think I can’t live my most beautiful Love Story I know I’m living to tell.
I look to see where I’m hiding out or seeking safety in old strategies rather than taking conscious action led by that higher vision.
I see now how this resilient part of me was formed in part under my stepdad’s care and loving attention.
For the first three years of our relationship, my stepdad nurtured the Athlete in me, sweetly encouraging me to reach for the seemingly impossible, ultra-secret dreams I had to compete at world-class levels in sports.
To this end, he bought me an expensive tennis racket (money which should’ve been spent on bills) and endured hours of a rude twelve-year-old ingrate who pretended to hate playing with him. He devoted hours spotting me in our unfinished basement as I ran full-speed across our wooden floors to dangerously hurl myself in the air attempting to land a backflip like I saw Olympic gymnasts do.
I thanked him a few weeks ago for the tennis racket and the gymnastic coaching, neither of these heroic, stepdad acts he remembered.
World-class Athlete. The Perfect Girl. Top Grades. Prince Charming. Happily Ever After.
A girl could dream and I did, despite many of those fantasies evaporating as they came up against my own limitations, physical and otherwise. The rules, expectations, and boundaries of others’ making also held me at bay, some designed to keep me safe and secure until I was ready to create my own.
But I never stopped dreaming, the Athlete in me taking shape in the form of the qualities I was developing–the passion, the discipline, the focus, the resilience, the commitment and the love of the Game (of Life).
I believe my last conversation with my stepdad about my writing was such a sweet gift because in him asking that question, he took me back to that place of the Innocent when I was a little girl frantically reaching for his outstretched hand as I hurled myself in the air so he made sure I would land on my feet.
And so on this Aries Full Moon, I promise to my poppa (this name I was given for him in a ceremony I did earlier this year), I will write the words in the language I love.
Thank you for loving me enough to hold the space for my dreams–even the ones I’d forgotten and the ones that were never going to come true in the way I had innocently imagined.
And I promise on this Aries Full Moon until I see you again in both our pure loving forms to remain the Fool for Love, the Player of the Game, and a Warrior of Love and of Light.
Love Jenn
by Heart Light Digital
26 thoughts on “Full Moon in Aries: Love You to the Moon and Back”
Beautiful.
Thank you for remembering this way.
Thank you and love you, sister. xoxo
So sorry for your loss beautiful soul. It sounds like you had exactly the lasting memory with him prior to him leaving though and that is so important. I’m glad you had that gift.
Take care of your heart and thank you for your commitment to our journey.
Heather
Oh Heather, thank you for letting me in, your sweet words of comfort and acknowledging the gifts I’ve been given. Blessings to you.
My heartfelt condolences Jen. These are such loving memories you have shared with us. Thank you. You are in my prayers.
Thank you so much, Anne. Your prayers and your condolences mean so much. xo
Oh sweetheart… you are so precious to all who have the privilege of knowing you.
Thank you, Deb and the feelings are mutual. xo
Poignant and heartfelt. Thank you for sharing these moving words. Sending you and your family love and light at this time.
Thank you, Mridula, for the love, the light and your generosity of spirit. I’ve felt at a loss for words these last couple of weeks so I’m happy (relieved as well) that I found some yesterday. The writing felt healing and comforting–a way to connect with my stepdad if that makes sense. Sending you lots of love.
It may take a while for you to realize this, but you gave him a gift that day when you explained your love of writing. I am not a parent but I learned from my mother while caring for her that their one true hope before they leave this world is to know that their children love themselves and can find fulfillment in the lives they lead. Your father (I am not referring to him as your stepdad because it just seems like the right word to use) was able to pass on with peace in his heart because he heard his daughter’s words, her passion. That is the greatest gift you could have given him. Your words are a gift to us as well. Thank you for allowing us to share space with you in such an intimate, life-changing moment.
Tracy, thank you for writing these words and using the word “father.” It does feel right. I think about you and your mom and what you two might have shared while you were taking care of her. During the two weeks that I was at the hospital with him and my family, he would ask me questions about how Love Matters is growing. I realized at one point in answering that I was giving him joy and comfort in telling him about all the things that have been going on and letting him know I was going to be okay if he did die.
I don’t know you personally, Tracy, but I can feel your compassion and kindness. Every time you comment, I’m grateful and feel like I’ve received a gift myself. Thank you for being here.
Thank you Jenn. Reading this, I feel ripples of love. Sending hearts and hugs to you. 🙂
Thank you, Vaish. You are a sensitive soul and I’m so grateful you are in my life. xo
So beautiful Jenn. Mom and I sat here reading your lunar love note in tears and laughter. Hearing and seeing the story and memories unfold through your writing. Your deeply honest, personal and loving experiences shared with all, particularly with us your family is deeply moving. Your gift of writing and sharing of yourself is what maybe what your “poppa” was wanting to hear from you. Love you Jenny xoxo
Thank you for this, Jacquie and Momma. I was a little nervous for some reason, wondering what you might think or feel. We will see you and hug you tomorrow. Love you both. xoxo
You did a darn good job with this one Jenn.
What a wonderfully sweet and touching moment you shared with us; gives me a lump in my throat.
Thanks for sharing.
L/B/B xo
ET. Love you and your blinks. xo
Very sweet and very tender sweetheart. I’m always amazed at the power of a question and your willingness to explore and share what you’ve found.
Thank you, my love. You have taught me a lot in that department ever since we first met. Love you. xoxo
What a beautiful last conversation with your “poppa”. You’ve done him proud Jenn. Don’t forget that.xxxxxxx
Thank you lovely friend. Love you. Xoxo
I’m so happy you spent this precious time with your father. What a beautiful gift you have in finding the words to express yourself and your emotions so gently, authentically and lovingly. I feel blessed by your words and the conversation it sparked in the comments.
I just love your light lady. Bless you and your beautiful heart.
Wendy, thank you so much for all these beautiful words and sentiments you just gifted to me!! I’m touched and am holding them close–believe me. xo
Thank you for your loving tribute to your Poppa. You made him feel so warm and loved when you thanked him for helping you live out your dreams. The fact that he didn’t even remember means that this only felt natural to him, of course, he was going to help you grow, no matter the cost. What an amazing man! Sending you and your family much love and peace.
Jessica, you gave me chills here. The word “natural” just so perfectly describes how he loved and supported all of us who were in his life. Thank you so much for gifting me with this precious understanding and thank you for being here!! Much love to you.