The Gift of Gathering

Gathering - the definition - "an occasion when people come together as a group".  Yes it is that BUT it is so much more than that. 

I feel the art of gathering has become a bit lost in this busy age we live in.  When I'm at a gathering and I remember all the gifts found within I know I can find the time, I need to find the time.  It matters not if the gathering is around a table of great food, in front of a hearth with knitting needles, at a table full of art supplies or surrounding the bedside of a loved one.  What does matter is that we don't forget the gift of gathering.

I gathered with a group of creative souls this weekend, women who showed up with open hearts, each bearing the gifts of self.  I wrote this poem afterwards so I won't forget and maybe I won't wait so long to gather again.

 
Much love and gratititude to those women and all the women and men I've gathered with before.  May we all remember...
 
The Gifts of Gathering

to see and be seen
to hear and be heard
to hold and be held
to nurish and be nourished
to know and be known
deeper gifts
to tell your story
to see theirs
to speak your truth
to hear theirs
to share your fears
to hold theirs
to show your joy
to nourish theirs
to know and be known

 
Jennifer over at Giggling in the Rain and Kolleen Harrison at Heartwing Sisters have also been writing about gathering  if you'd like to hear their stories.  How have you been gathering lately?  I would love to hear your story as well.

Namaste,
Karen