Dear Friends,
We have returned from our trip to Chicago to attend a dear friend’s funeral service. I have reflected on our trip these past few days and realized I was truly
compelled to attend her service. It was as if I was being pushed and pulled all at the same time. Truth…I knew I had to go, and yet I was fearful of going. Why?
I have not been on a plane in 5 years and have always been an anxious traveler.
I believe I am the kind of person who shows up and follows through on a commitment. I committed to my friend’s husband by saying, “I will be there.”

Interesting things happen when you commit to something you are challenged to do. I began to have a health challenge. I felt a painful throbbing in my head that
came and went. I saw my wholistic doctor who looked at me and asked how my teeth were. I said my new crowns are sensitive and I still have a hard time biting down
on them. He said I needed to go back to the dentist to have the crowns filed down so my bite is correct. Because I am not biting correctly, my jaw is out of
alignment and creating the pain. The dentist!? I am terrified of having dental work done and thought I was done with the crowns. As good, and as nice as my dentist is, I still dread going to him.
I had to calm my fears, and go to the dentist. He filed back my crowns so my bite is correct. A couple days later the pain stopped. All this happened one week before our Chicago trip. I even had Steve call the airlines to see if we could get insurance in case we did not go. The airlines said
‘no’ we had to have purchased the insurance at the same time we purchased the tickets.
I remembered my commitment to Bob and my long term commitment to DO what I say I will DO, no matter what.

Challenges are blessings in disguise. On the plane and at the visitation and funeral service, I was deeply grieving.
I love to sing and could not sing the songs, because I was tearfully trying to keep it together. Even though this was a sad time for me,
after the service came many blessings. Both sons of my friend recognized me and one looked at me and said, “Auntie Gail!”
It was what he called me when he was a child. It brought JOY to me and melted my heart.

It was wonderful reconnecting with the family and friends from my past. I loved sharing stories of our crazy antics and memories of the fun we had.
We sat with a friend (I will call him Mike) and his friend ( I will call her Kary) at the lunch reception. We found from our conversation we were
on the same wave link spiritually and metaphysically. We talked about souls, past lives, universal energy and more…. Come to find out both are Reiki
Masters, which I did not know. What a joy and blessing to reconnect with them. We are still texting and emailing! Steve said, because of our table conversation,
he could incorporate a story told by Mike, in the ‘Epilogue’ of his next book. More Joy and Blessings! Needless to say the trip brought bountiful good in the
midst of sadness, to both Steve and me.

What challenge are you facing today? What obstacles are coming up that are trying to keep you from completing your challenge or commitment?
Fear has an ugly way of rising its head. Picture fear as ice and then watch it melt into water where you can easily walk, wade or run through.
Commitment is a choice. You DO have the strength to follow through and discover the joy and blessings once it is completed.

I would like to close with a quote Frannie always used at the end of her emails.
Fran Browne
Reiki Master
“There is a light in this world …a healing spirit much stronger than any darkness we may encounter. We sometimes lose sight of this force.. w
here there is suffering, too much pain. And suddenly the spirit will emerge…through the lives of ordinary people and answer in extraordinary ways.”
Mother Theresa
Remember: Hugs surround you with love.

In Joy and Love,
Abigail and Steve