Grampa’s leaf
Grampa’s Leaf
Elizabeth Ryba ©2009
Embracing the moment of realization that everything is as it is truly meant to be; my Spirit drfited among the tree tops of the Lilydale wood thinking of Grampa.
The trees always bring my Grandfather’s Spirit to mind. I have no memories of words spoken by this austere man. It remains the memory of a simple time; holding his hand walking under the willow trees, feeling its tendrils as my own. I often felt that even in spirit, he remains with me – perhaps to balance the absence, perhaps because that is the way it just is…
And then it struck me! Literally… An earth bound maple leaf careened into the middle of my forehead. Still in the midst of reeling my soul back in to assess the situation, my daughter scooped up the crimson catapult and proudly stated, “Mom, this is for you – it’s your leaf.” We regained our composure to hear the last medium called to the stump. He stated the presence of a grandfather in Spirit with him. He and I met eyes and knew the spirit he had announced was coming for me. The medium nodded and said, the spirit’s name was George and he was a man of nature. I replied to give Grampa’s energy affirmation that I knew it was him. The medium then provided a myriad of details further bringing my Grandfather’s spirit forth.
However, there was an urgent message that was also to be relayed. The medium stated that my Grandfather was insistent that I, “Go to the trees.” He said that I would know what that meant. The message further included a commanding concern that I was to get myself into a real state of balance and by going to the trees I would realize this. He said I must attend to it immediately; there was no time to waste. This urgency was frightening. The medium said, “Your Grandfather says that you are the messenger and in finding that you are this messenger you will also find your own roots, like the roots of all the majestic trees surrounding us here.”
The medium paused and enjoyed a silent dialogue for a moment. He then remarked, “the trees” and stated that he had asked for the leaves to bring him Spirit. To this, my daughter proudly jumped up with “Grampa’s leaf”, announcing what had happened just moments ago. As others in the audience gasped and applauded, the medium simply nodded his head and extended an open hand towards me, reminding me hat I am “the messenger.”
That moment remains an ever-present catalyst propelling me on this journey of emergence. I go to the trees often and feel their stillness and peace as I stand at their edge; but yet find that I am still unable to walk through the woods without an unyielding sense of unrest and anticipation.
I have since begun to learn of my roots, and share messages. I reached out to distant family members and shared this story with them; they were jubilant about my Grandfather’s appearance and eagerly shared many family stories of him and his trees. And, as the Universe would have it, and abundance of synchronicities have ensued. Upon hearing this story my Aunt thought to send along a copy of a remarkable pen and ink that he had done when he was a student in art school.
It is a black and white of two willow trees…