It's been ages since my last full blog, but I had to take some time out to talk about our recent roadtrip and family retreat in New York. With the various things I'm always involved with (readings, courses, missing persons, personal appearances, radio shows, media interviews, etc) I generally have to block out time in my schedule a year or more in advance in order to have a retreat, or as some say, a vacation. I do not consider my retreats to be vacations, as I prefer the term retreat, as the latter gives one time to focus and reflect on the present, while also putting some attention towards the future.
Those of who you faithfully follow me on Twitter and on Facebook got to read some of our exciting roadtrip tweets and updates from our journey to visit our family in the Catskill Mountains of New York.
By now, many of you are noticing that I've been using the words 'we', 'us' and 'our' alot over the last year. When I say those beautiful words, I'm referring to my soulmate and loving partner of nearly four years, Dannii. I do not often talk about my personal life because that aspect of my life is private from my public life and is of no one's business or concern. Some people love to talk and air out their dirty laundry to their neighbors and will talk to anyone about anything given they have an audience, well that is not me, never has been, never will be. However, this is me being more honest and open with all of you who continue to show me your endless love, support and friendship, plus I'm at a great (and very happy) part of my life right now where I do not mind sharing more!
Between the both of our hectic schedules, this was the first time Dannii and I were able to work it out so that we could both go to visit my family in New York together. This meant an awful lot to me on so many precious levels. Though my mother and grandmother had talked to Dannii on the phone numerous times, this would be the first actual 'meeting' they would have together. Naturally, everything went wonderfully, and it was nearly a week of wonderful time spent together in my Grandmother's house with just me, Dannii, my mother and Grandmother. Shiner was also with us for the journey, and I would not have had it any other way. He enjoyed spending some time with Sissy, our family shih-tzu of nearly 12 years. Sissy is having major health crisis and is likely not long for the world, and Shiner could sense that and often became very protective and fatherly of our dear ailing Sissy. That made me so proud of my little man Shiner, he's always there to help all of us out when we need him, and has the unconditional love to back it up!
Mom and I got to spend some great time together, including going to the fresh market about a half hour away where we got some fresh produce for some delicious meals that we all participated in cooking together as a family, and eating together as a family. The family that eats together, stays together, I'm just convinced that's true! Mom and I also went shopping and got lots of great goodies to put in my memory box. Mom and Dannii went shopping and spent a lovely day together. We all had alot of loving and precious time spent together. It was a magical time for all of us, it truly was! It's been no secret that my Mother and I have had a challenging relationship, but her visit to me in October 2010 was very healing and it allowed us to grow much closer than we'd ever been before. Our mother/son relationship is in a much better place now, and this recent visit only added more glow to it. Even though my Mother and I used to disagree almost all the time on almost everything, I still loved her and wished her the best. Now, she is much more supportive and understands me alot more than before, and me her! She's the greatest mother I could ever ask for, and I love her for always!
My Grandmother made us so many lovely things! A cherry cheesecake, a chocolate cake, an Easter cake, strawberry rhubarb, cinnamon rolls, etc EVERYTHING HOMEMADE!! Dannii made us all an awesome roast dinner with roast beef and all the trimmings! Yum! My Grandmother made us scalloped potatoes with ham, homemade pepperoni pizza, corned beef with cabbage and potatoes. Hungry yet? :) The list continues and goes on and on. It was all down home and just right! For that one week, I felt as though I was living inside a Crackel Barrel!! :)
On to my Grandmother. I have some news to share, though it's not the best news, we are all still hopeful. About five weeks ago, my Grandmother was diagnosed with dementia. The news crushed me, but I expected it as she has went down hill alot over the last year. I had hoped things would improve, but they hadn't, so I suggested that my mother communicate more with my Grandmother's doctor to see what the issue was. I had felt it was either dementia or alzheimers, but felt proper medical attention should be called to duty to evaluate it further. While it's anyone's guess how long my Grandmother's mind and brain will continue to function, it's my strongest hope that she'll do all the right things needed in order to help improve this process as much as she can. While some memories she is no longer able to recount, she is 82 years old and it's perfectly alright to me that a few memories have escaped her. It touched my heart repeatedly to hear her recount various stories of my late Grandfather, of which she remembers memories from the first time they met, worrying and wondering if he'd come back from two World Wars alright, their early years and later years. Of all her memories that remain fully intact, I'm glad she has not lost those involving my grandfather and their 62+ year love affair. After my Grandfather's December 25, 2008 passing, my Grandmother has never quite been the same, and my Guides have told me that this most recent visit will likely be one of (if not THEE) last times I'll see her in her element during this lifetime. My Grandfather is waiting to welcome my Grandmother into the beautiful heavenly gates, and I know it's only a matter of time. I knew well in advance just how important this trip would mean to me on a variety of levels and subjects, and that proved to be true exactly as I had felt it would be. For the time that we were there, my Grandmother laughed more than she had in the last few years combined, and it was good to see her laugh and smile, as she had been through so much, yet still has God's loving light and energies that flow through her body and Spirit and out through her eyes. This is also a gift that now shines brightly through my Mother as well.
Dannii and I got to visit the official site of the 1969 music festival, WOODSTOCK, in Bethel, NY. What an amazing place, and the energy was very active there. If you have a chance to visit the site, sit on one of the benches near the Woodstock monument, close your eyes and begin to meditate, and you'll also be transcended back in time! A magical place with a great museum! Check it out!
A special thank you to my dear friend (and longtime family friend of over 50+ years) Rita. It was so good to see her, and I was moved by Spirit to provide her with a valuable message from her late son. Then just minutes later, her son on The Other Side sent her validation via her cell phone!! I love Rita and it was so great to see her again! You are lookin' great, girl!! xxx Also, a big warm hug to my darling Aunt Germaine who dropped by for a quick chat. Despite all of the horrendous tragedies that she has had to face in this lifetime, including numerous family losses and struggles, she remains a body of strength and faith. Her connection with God is of the highest caliber. I love her! My Grandparents have always surrounded themselves with very good people (with an occasional hiccup)and I am proud to come from such a long line of lightworkers, healers, gifted and gracious people.
I dedicate my life work to all of those before me within my family and those in Spirit who have helped set the bar, pave the way and left the light on for me!
With Love & Blessings,
Christopher
