reciprocity ~ great thanks

it has been one month and a day since i was
mesmerized and sliced into..
the titanium hip placed expertly into the thigh
so bone and titanium can reciprocate and flourish..
where each can share their gifts of essence..
bone and element atomic # 22
it is astonishing to think that something
so ..so...so..what? could even happen..
reciprocity

reciprocity..
from the latin
reciprocus
moving backward and forward

the bone and titanium must grow together..
weave and merge..
integrate and unite..
meld and weld..
yoga..bringing two together..
heaven and earth
bone and element

astounding!

the most important thing each of us can know
is our unique gift and how to use it in the world.
individuality is cherished and nurtured, because, 
in order for the whole to flourish,
each of us has to be strong in who we are and
carry our gifts with conviction, so they can be shared by others...
in reciprocity, we fill our spirits...
                    ~ braiding sweetgrass

it has been over two months that the mendicant letter
and post went out to beloved friends and students..
my heart has expanded to the size of the galaxy
and i am happy to say my wee bank account has also flourished..
i am not accustomed to much money
so having a tiny pot of gold sparkles my cells a bit
and i trust  that i may manage it wisely and generously..

some alms has been spent on:
thank you cards
stamps
postage
car insurance
dentist bill
long johns 2 pair
soft spacious pants
movies!
candles and more candles
donations to:
community action skagit
wolf hollow
elephant sanctuary
quiet light nuns
enso house
anacortes family center
yoga behind bars

food, gas, holiday gifts
for my great nephews
shampoo
christmas lights for the hummingbirds
to sit upon and warm their toes..
sugar and more sugar for the same wee gems

i still have alms left!

i am humbled and honored and privileged
to know the generosity of each of you
who have dropped your gifts into my bowl..
singing the praises of what true community
looks like, feels like..
that i am a recipient of such community
weakens my knees ..
quite simply, i do not know what i can say
to let you know how tender and open
this has made me..


in the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying
to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives.
in the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender
before the miraculous scope of human generosity
and to just keep saying thank you,  forever and sincerely,
for as long as we have voices.
                 ~ elizabeth gilbert

and this :
from a friend whose son sent generous dana
to the mendicant alms bowl..
when she admired that, he wrote ~

got to put your money where your intentions are.
besides, if we don't help support the people who do good things, who will?
it's not like society is generally awarding a comfortable lifestyle for teachers.
the world has enough bankers and lawyers, we need to fund some frickin' poets!

priceless gifts
an empty day without events.
and that is why
it grew immense
as space. and suddenly
happiness of being
entered me.

i heard
in my heartbeat
the birth of time
and each instant of life
one after the other
came rushing in
like priceless gifts.
     ~ anna swir