The Realm of Illusion

My story:

Divination conducted before my first trip to Brasil

stated

that all new realms were illusion and that

was to enter the realm because good things were coming. It also said that there would be major change in

my thinking and living and that it would not be in ways that seemed apparent. Moreover, I would be

moving

through this stage quickly and would be cutting

away and

leaving things behind. I was to

trust what I could

not see.

Our Story, Brasil 2003:

What do you do when your soul recognizes the soul it has missed for centuries?

You

honor

your soul's quest at the risk of losing friends and appearing stupid. You open to Spirit and your

destiny

and shed

the skin you thought was too tight anyway.

You open to love and joy so profound that

one

recognizes when

you return home.

Story, 2006:

Approximately 6,000 miles separate us. Some days, it feels like that simply because the

longing to be close is so deep. But, when we consider that we have reunited after several centuries and

many continents, we move through it. Most days, however, the thread that connects us weaves laughter into

our lives and opens a window for each of us to see and feel the world of the other. We are

more intimate

friends today than when we started.

In a very "African" way, our elders gave formal permission (via phone and translations) for our re-union. The

gifts have been exchanged, the food shared, the dancing done. Each day, a new sister-in-law welcomes me

into the family, or I welcome her. Each day, a young niece sends her love to me, or writes me precious little

girl letters that I never wrote and never dreamed I would receive.

Each day, I am blessed to love and be loved.

Fall 2006:

It has been eight months since we last saw each other. As the days shorten, our conversations

lengthen and deepen as we continue to plan for the future. This process tests our patience, but also gives us

so many opportunities to deepen our communication skills. Things I continue to learn: love is not enough. The

adult human idea of love assumes reciprocity and sameness. Living with the spiritual nature of love has

helped us to support each other in the destiny we need to accomplish. Selfishly and in accordance with our

ancestors and orisas. At times, we discuss how our lives continue to progress forward - even as we want

them to slow down so we don't pass each other. These desire is based in fear of being left behind. The truth

is we need our lives to progress, to build internally and externally the tools and experiences that will help us

experience each other fully when we are together. So we continue to encourage each other to do what needs

to be done so we can meet each other in our most powerful forms. These past eight months have been a

blessing to us both and we wait joyfully when we can see each other face to face. After several centuries, a

few more months is a blink, a breath.