Today, 16 December, is my Mother’s 101st birthday. She died in 1995, and I always remember her on her birthday, which is also Canterbury’s true anniversary day.
In past years I’ve gone to church to honour her, but the building that housed the Liberal Catholic Church is gone and I’ve been unable to trace what’s happened to that tiny congregation. I might have gone to Christ Church Cathedral or St Luke’s, but they are also gone. My mother was a spiritual woman, and I decided the best way to honour and remember her today would be to walk the St Luke’s Labyrinth, and this is what I did.
The labyrinth now has more planting around it, and I love the way it takes you on a journey. You have only to follow the path – no need to weigh up alternatives or make decisions. It’s a walk that involves the heart, rather than the head. There are many twists and turns, with the occasional broad sweep of a half circle. Walking it alone in warm sunlight I felt grounded and in touch with the universe of which my Mother is part.
“Walking the labyrinth was the way
that I remembered her today.”
I love labyrinths! and what a perfect way to commemorate your mother, by joining her in the large spaces of the spirit.
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This is lovely, thank you Ruth. Today is my daughter’s birthday too. I went to the beach this morning to contemplate the place my mother and daughter both have in my life (I have chosen not to inflict my terrible cold on either of them today).
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Fantail, contemplation is easier when you’re in nature, isn’t it? I hope your cold will soon be over so you can enjoy social times.
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I love your sentence about simply following the path set out, no need for decisions or alternatives……..I love labyrinths too and wish I had one much closer to my home.
What a special way to remember your Mum, Ruth.
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What a lovely post. I will have to hunt out that labyrinth to take the children to have a go.
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OG, sorry there isn’t a lbyrinth near you. Maybe you’ll come to Christchurch………..
Ness,, it’s easy to find, on the corner of Kilmore and Manchester Streets. Probably best on a weekend when there’s less demolition activity.
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That is a wonderful way to remember your mother Ruth. Labyrinths are wonderful. I esepcially like the way I can walk one slowly and and come out the other end clear. There is one 2 doors down from where we will be staying at Xmas made of grass that I have walked several times and will do so when I am up there next week.
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Carol, that sounds a wonderful grounding thing to be doing while on holiday. Enjoy!
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What a special way to be with your mother on her birthday. I enjoyed my visit to St Luke’s labyrinth but I simply looked at it; didn’t have time to walk it.
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Gallivanta, thanks for visiting and taking time to leave a comment. I hope next time you’re in town you’ll have time to walk the labyrinth. The plantings around it are getting more attractive as they grow.
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