This is a precious little story about a wish that came true that I had barely even spoken – at least in the standard language of wishes.
Unfortunately, my mom passed away in December of 2021. I was very blessed to spend her last days by her side. She passed away peacefully on a Wednesday. With the help of my family, we packed up her few belongings and returned home the next day. It wasn't long after that I was speaking with a close friend. I said, "I don't know if it's these Covid times in which we live or if it's a function of the way our society has evolved, but this is a very solitary experience! I remember my childhood when someone passed away, the neighbors came by with casseroles; family members gathered and consoled each other; there were wakes, viewings, and other kinds of opportunities to be among people for comfort and community. But right now, there is none of that.”
Of course, there were emails, phone calls, and video chats. Friends and family were wonderfully supportive. But the absence of physical connection was notable.
About two days went by before my friend appeared at my door with a large shopping bag. From it, she extracted a soft fuzzy blanket to take the place of the missing hugs. (She gave a really good one too before she left.) There was also a jar of the most delicious homemade chicken soup I've ever tasted – a brilliant replacement for a casserole. She also gave me a canister of comforting tea and a packet of flying wish paper. Within a short space of time, I was sitting around the table with some of my dear ones, firing up our flying wishes. What a fun and wonderful remembrance of my mom!
Now, since I am one of the Wish Mavens, it seems only natural that flying wish paper should become part of our repertoire and that is exactly what has happened. Recently, we were at Fairview Lake YMCA Camp talking at their “Women’s Wellness Weekend” about how to make your wishes come true. Everyone got their flying wish paper and set their wishes afloat on a snowy day in March.
You can find videos of flying wish paper in the usual places, but we decided to make one of our own. It was a joy to be able to do this with our friend and publisher, Lisa Hodorovych. You can check it out here.
Do you have to set your wish on fire to make it come true? No. But it sure is a lot of fun!
By way of closing, I would like to say that since the time when my dear friend came to my comfort with her wonderful bag of gifts, I have started a new tradition and have already made up one such bag for another friend who has lost a loved one. For as long as I can, I will honor my friend’s compassion and generosity by delivering a similar bag to anyone I know who is bereaved. And believe me, every single bag will contain flying wish paper.
Before we finish for the week, we are super excited to announce…OUR JOURNAL IS ALMOST READY FOR YOU! We hope you love it as much as we do! Wishes~Abundance~Gratitude:A Journal Based on "Your Path to a Fulfilling Life" by Margaret A. Herrick and Barbara J. Dickinson will be available on Amazon in a matter of days!
Next week, our post will be about what our Focusing practice teaches us about blocks to action and how this relates to wishing.
Until then,
Peace and All Good,
Barbara and Margie
The Wish Mavens
Photo Credit
The photo featured in this post was taken by (and is copyrighted by) Barbara J. Dickinson.