Featured Story: Earthfire’s Mission in Action by Pat Hager
Pat Hager used his experience at Earthfire retreat as a stepping stone for volunteering in his area, helping preserve wildlife corridors. Read more
We were never a close family.
Mother’s pathological narcissism demanded our full attention. Dad, though an inspiration, was shackled with alcoholism.
My older sister and I survived an unnerving childhood…and we harbored deep wounds.
Yet… I could always make her laugh… sometimes get her to the beach… she loved horses and I would bounce along beside her on a ride….but as the years went by she became more and more “distant”… not returning phone calls and writing the same “formula” thank you notes for Christmas and birthday gifts. I had just about given up on our sibling relationship when Earthfire’s magic gave us another chance.
This past year, in lieu of traditional Christmas gifts, I “gave” eight friends “a share” of a “shade” tree for Earthfire Institute….a beautiful, tall, Amur maple.
I also included the most recent Eart
hfire newsletter in the Christmas card.
Within a few weeks I knew by the envelope that the dutiful thank you note had arrived but the contents amazed me…..
“Hi Judith….Many thanks for the gift to the Earthfire Institute. I am so pleased- especially because you are directly involved in the project. Their mission statement is inspiring…and a yurt…how wonderfully appropriate and with so many uses. I love that Blue bell approves, too…and Cucumber-what can one say-a great story with a good news ending.”
So much excitement! I was stunned, excited, grateful.
Touched by the animals, and the hope that Earthfire embodies, my sister came out of her “shell”. We are communicating again and of course I will send her a membership for her up coming birthday.
Healing comes in many forms…and reminds us that the “connections” are never really broken…… -Judith Austin
Read more Earthfire Stories
For Apricot by Constance Perenyi
There are parts of me I miss, terribly. At an early age, I understood my relationship with animals. With unapologetic certainty, I knew we were kin, that our lives were entwined, our destinies connected. I spent hours in a tree> Read more
A Small Exchange with a Grizzly by Caitlin Sullivan
Caitlin and retreat leader Polly Klein, returning to the yurt. (c) Hershel Klein In August, I was honored to be invited with 10 other students to a retreat at the Earthfire. We were brought there by our Reiki teacher and animal> Read more
Touched By Nature by Dennis McMahon
The following story is a good reminder that you can have an Earthfire experience anytime anywhere. If you just go out into nature, be it in a city park, a favorite trail by your house, or a trip into the> Read more
Answering the Call of Windwalker the Cougar
This year will be my second visit to Earthfire Institute, and while there are many good friends there, I am especially looking forward to spending more time with Windwalker the cougar. Windwalker has a powerful presence and a great heart that> Read more
The Bun Learns to Hop. . . Again by Pam Sourelis
By the time I was able to make the trip to Minneapolis to work with the Bun, his movement had been impaired for just over a year. His human companions, Mia and Paul, were not sure what had happened, but> Read more
Curley the Starling by Cathy Mayton
Last year I found a starling chick that had fallen out of the nest. At first I thought about letting nature take its course, then I decided to try and save the baby. I fed it game bird starter mixed> Read more
Close Encounter by John de Jardin
While many who have attended summer programs at Clear Sky can attest to their considerable rewards, I once had the chance to spend a substantial period of time at the centre during its “off-season.” In the winter of 06/07 there> Read more
Thank You, Sydney by Pam Sourelis
A few days ago, I watched a video from Earthfire Institute of a woman doing a healing on a wolf, Apricot, who was suffering from inflammation of the spinal cord. The video is deeply moving. You can view it here. Watching the> Read more
Ray of Light Hears My Call By Margaux Skalecki
Ray of Light is my boy kittie family member. He found me one day 5 years ago when I went to donate towels etc, to the shelter at the MSPCA. I had been there many a times and I also> Read more
Video: The Great Listening, poem by Lyn Dalebout
A beautiful poem narrated by the peerless Norman Bailey, about listening to things that cannot be heard through our ears but through our hearts. The animals, without thinking they are always listening and we are linked by the great listening> Read more
Earthfire’s Mission in Action by Pat Hager
Thanks Judith for sharing your story. I’m deeply touched by it. It also gives me hope with my siblings. My father is diagnosed with both narcissism & he was an abusive cronic alcoholic & now on a dry drunk. My mother had MS. My relationship’s with my 3 sisters are estranged, but I am close to my older brother. I would love to do this with 1 sister in particular. I can see this as a beautiful way to connect both with each other & be touched by Animal Magic.
May your life be filled with love,
PegasusAnn
Comment by PegasusAnn — October 21, 2010 @ 9:37 am