On April 26^th. 2002, I came home from work to the most wonderful happening. My son in law Ron, was out in the woods south of the house building me a labyrinth for my birthday. It ended up taking two or three days of very hard work, but it turned out so wonderful I don’t know how I would ever be able to move away from this place, just because I would have to leave it here. Ron has told me he will build me one wherever I move to, so not to worry.         

           It was built around a tree that Frank had to cut down, as it was dying, and was so big he was afraid it would fall and hit the house. We both hated to do it, and left about a four foot stump, just so we could plant something on it, or honor it in some way. Ron used this tree stump for the heart of the labyrinth. There was another small tree growing in the fourth pathway, that is where I hang wind chimes, and it turns into a wonderful umbrella to shade one in the summer when it is so hot.         

             Ron took his old pick up and walked up and down the country road and the banks of the creek to find the perfect rocks. I am sure he asked permission of every one of them before he removed them from their former resting place. I think he must have convinced them they were going to a place of sacred ground and what an honor it would be to be part of this endeavor. And they in turn must have sensed his wonderful energy and decided to go with him.         

            The following month was May and we celebrated our first Wesak festival at the labyrinth, and have continued to do so every year. A crystal bowl full of water is set out at the heart and left out all night; to be blessed by the Buddha and Christ as they come close to earth on this night. This is holy water that I bottle and then distribute to family.  New and full moon ceremonies are also celebrated at the labyrinth. Often there is no one else here, but I always go out and have my own meditation.         

            At first I practiced a regular labyrinth meditation, entering with my problems or challenges and taking them to the heart and leaving them there. But I found eventually that I didn’t want to take any negative thoughts or feelings anywhere around this healing place. So I started doing a walking meditation that blessed mother earth with every footstep I placed on her, and allowed my positive love and energy to flow into her as I walked the circuits. And I realized I would be given solutions to my problems anyway, or else I just turned them over to the universe.           I have had some amazing experiences while doing this meditation. Of course there is the nature connection that is so intense, you feel the rain falling in a mist around you and the wind blowing through the trees and leaves shimmering in the sunlight and/or moonlight, but also feelings of angelic presence. There is nothing like walking the labyrinth on a full moon night.          

          The fact that it is outside and goes through the cycles of the seasons, makes it seem much more alive than if it were an alter or table on the inside of the house. In the fall and winter the leaves fall from all the trees encircling the labyrinth and cover it with a thick blanket. I feel like this is a resting time.  I try to leave them out there through most of the winter and clean them out in the spring before the new grass starts to grow. Then when that starts, for a period of time there is a green cushion of weeds to walk on and for insects to make their homes in, and anthills etc. The deer often walk through here at night also. There is a glorious burst of life and growth at this time in brilliant green. There are five redbud trees that are growing along one side of the labyrinth. Every year it seems there is another one.  By mid summer the ground is usually getting pretty bare again. And in the fall she dresses up in her full glory with all the fall colors. And a blanket of snow turns it into a winter wonderland.          This labyrinth has become so special that I usually do most of my spiritual rituals there, from prayers and novenas to any meditation or moon celebration that I am going to do. If and when I ever do leave this place I feel it will remain sacred ground for all who come later.    

  Lela