Sacred in the Ordinary

Intention, I call upon you as a force to help guide me to discovering a Luna Moth this summer.  (Summer – June 2016)

“Ladies and gentlemen that was Ralph Stanley bringing you some of the most euphoric bluegrass music in town!”  My mom and I were driving through the hills of New Hampshire as the fresh air grazed our arms, the sun brightened the hazel color of our eyes, and Ralph’s music trickled out of the speakers into our ears.  We listened to Ralph Stanley as if he was an old relative of ours that we had always joyously spent time with at summer parties out east!  “Sadly, Ralph Stanley passed away yesterday folks.  We are celebrating his music today in honor of the the bluegrass legacy he has left behind.”  My sunglasses covered the salty tears cascading down my face as I mourned the loss of a talented old fellow I never knew.  It was as if he was giving us a show from heaven to welcome my mom back to her homeland.

I decided to embark on this brief journey out east with my parents to visit the state my mother was born in, spend time with long lost relatives, and hike the Mount Monadnock region with my angelic mother.  It will always be such a memorable journey because it was one I truly cherished before my mother’s passing last year.

That afternoon while hiking, we were lucky to find Yellow Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies, Chipmunks, Snakes, and a “never ending hiking trail” that we gave up on once we realized there was no overlook at the end……because we never reached the end.  “Kate, maybe we should turn around.   It’s getting late and these mosquitoes are eating us up alive.  God Dammit.”  I begrudgingly agreed to head back to the car aggravated that we didn’t finish the hike and because I never saw a Luna Moth.

Long story short, while on this trip, I spent quality time with my parents in the local town and the woods, conducted a haunted model show in a graveyard with my cousin, found a portly caterpillar larvae in the ground and discovered the power of intention.

Towards the end of our vacation we decided to engage in a nice hike along a river.  I never ceased to ponder the magical Luna Moth festooned in tropical green coloring and fairy-esque tails.  My mom and I took some pictures along the river as my dad used a long walking stick to guide his steps like some kind of yogi.  We drank the wild air, grazed the crisp water with our fingers and toes, smiled, laughed, chatted, and exercised.

To my wide eyed amazement, I used the park bathroom before departing to the car and as I shut the door, I noticed a bright green organism hanging like a holiday ornament.  I screamed to my mother that I had discovered a Luna Moth!  She took a bunch of pictures for me as this was such a pivotal moment.  She snapped that camera while he was on the door, my hand, and near my face.  Sherry had me pose as if I was Kate Moss – wilderness style.

My intention for that summer actually did manifest itself and I still firmly believe in stating your intentions to the Universe.  In retrospect, I also realize that finding the Luna Moth was about the entire experience.  Ralph Stanley, my dad and his walking stick, sunshine, fresh air, healthy trees, hiking, my cousin and that graveyard, and my beautiful angelic mother.  I’m so grateful for all of these details of life.

(Sharen Angel Hatfield – Mother – Passed away March 2019) 

Ralph Stanley sings:  “Now that your gone I’m so alone.  I can’t seem to hold back my tears.”