“You may enrich the world in a million different ways.  And you may enrich the world, simply, with your presence.”   Hrishikesh Agnihotri

The summer is a magical time. There is no place it is more enchanting than in Chicago.

As the “school’s in session” signs go up, school supplies are purchased and everyone is planning their final trip or family barbeque let’s take a moment to reflect on this summer.

As always, there were a vast number of moments and memories to recall that are now a part of both our personal and collective experiences.  Whether it be the pride and inspiration of the Olympic Games in Rio, or the despair in reaction to violence and strife  here in our own city and across the globe. These are just the beginning of the energies that have swirled around us throughout these past three months of this season of “fun in the sun”.

We have traveled, and gained new insights through a greater amount of time in nature, be it our Lake Michigan, the North Woods of Wisconsin or our favorite hiking trail.  We have spent more leisure time with family and friends. And most importantly, we have spent some quality time in silence, meditation and prayer as our schedules have relaxed a little. Hopefully, we have  allowed ourselves time to relax, rejuvenate and perhaps refocus some aspects of our life goals or priorities.

When I reflect on summer for me personally, the word “presence” seems to stand out in my mind.  I am winding down this summer with an expanded view of what it means to be “present” both for myself and for the people in my life.

My first grandson Caleb had his first birthday in June. He, like my three granddaughters brings me so much joy,  Just to be in their “ presence” brings joy to my heart. Last summer my family had a traumatic situation that affected all of us deeply for several weeks. I had a smiling angelic photo of Caleb that I had by my kitchen sink that I looked at several times a day.

I began to realize the comfort that I was experiencing just by gazing at his photo. He was my “healing angel”, and is such a precious gift to our family.

In July I went to Ohio to attend the weddings of two of my nieces. Weddings are a beautiful time of romantic new beginnings. As my family gathered to be a “presence” to these celebrations, I was put in touch with the loss of my own marriage and other significant losses for my family among the festivities. When I went to the grocery today, I picked out a beautiful bouquet of white roses. I was not really certain as to why I chose them at first. Today is my wedding anniversary and I realized that my spirit was encouraging me to remember the wonderful memories and experiences that I am grateful to have had as a wife and partner.

My dear friend Cheryl’s father made his transition this summer. His death was unexpected to his family. A loved one’s loss, perhaps more than any life experience ,calls on us to bring comfort and be a loving “presence” to those that mourn.  My mother attended his funeral service with me and she said something that I have thought about several times since that day.  Her remark was,  “I did not know him, but I like him.” In hearing all of the tributes and stories about his life, his amazing gifts of “presence” to others, she could see he was a man that she would have admired if she would have known him in life.

As we journey through life, we experience powerful beginnings and endings. We also experience the journey between.  Our “presence” to ourselves and others has a tremendous impact on how we experience our lives.  Being present, helps us to create loving relationships and a peaceful umbrella for each of our life journeys, even in the face of storms and adversity.

“The path to enlightenment is when you allow presence, love and gratitude to overlap your ego.” Matthew Donnelly