Author: Ki McGraw

Today, we gather together to celebrate my dad’s life. This spontaneous party will take place at his favorite Mexican Restaurant and falls on tax day which he is finally free from. Old friends will join family and raise a toast in his honor.

We couldn’t plan this in advance, as we have been attending to mom‘s process and adapting to her needs. She is ready to wear the sombrero and be surrounded by support and love. I’ll wear his watch and one of his 6 ascots, accessorizing my black dress with his finery.

How would you like your life celebrated? Can you let your will be known? Ki to Happiness aligns her will with Divine Will in celebrating life daily.

During this trip of memorializing my dad, I’ve seen a few of his surviving old friends. We shared memories and stories as we caught up on the years that have passed. Soft wet eyes and deeply held hugs continue our bonds.

Reconnecting required reaching in to the soul beyond the grey hair, wrinkles and debilitation. There, in the soul, no time has passed. Evolution has softened the hard edges and broadened the capacity for love as forgiveness has replaced any grievances.

What grievances are you ready to have replaced by forgiveness? Are you willing to reach in to the soul in order to reconnect there? Ki to Happiness reconnects from soul to soul.

After our joyous family outing yesterday, we heard about a friend’s bad news. The disease process that had been in remission has returned with a vengeance. Likely, there’s not much time left for her.

In yoga practice, we learned to transfer our identity from our body and mind to our spirit and soul. The contents of our consciousness as we transition contributes to what becomes of our energy. Physicists concur that energy continues, having never been born it also never dies.

Can you practice identifying with your spirit and soul? What would you like to see your energy become? Ki to Happiness identifies with peace and sees energy becoming free from fear, pain and suffering.

Since my dad‘s death, my mom has cleared out much of his personal effects. Clothing, toiletries, medication and old files she’s sorted, donated, recycled or pitched. In doing so, she found letters he never sent.

Without disclosing their private contents, I share with you the awareness that whatever any of us leaves behind may be discovered by someone else. Whether intentional or not, we are still learning about his opinions and attitudes. This deepens our relationship with him through what has been revealed.

What letters would you like to write and not send? If discovered, what effect would they have? Ki to Happiness encourages writing letters that may reveal our truths even if we choose not to send them.

One of the few items I have inherited from my dad is his watch. It’s on my left wrist now. It’s an old analog that lights up.

It also feels like he’s watching us. I feel him in the little bird that comes to our window by the table as we eat. I sense he’s ok and happy we are here with Mom.

Can you feel the presence of those who have gone before? Do you have objects that once belonged to your loved ones? Ki to Happiness feels dad is watching, wearing his watch like a charm of connection.

To memorialize dad‘s life, my mom, brother, and I walked the property here where he lived for the last 50 years. We paused at specific locations and remembered significant events. We cracked open confetti filled Easter eggs and spread their colorful and biodegradable bits along with our memories.

The celebration fit mom’s needs. It’s been 10 weeks since he passed away. Perfect weather and perfect timing combined to make it a most memorable Easter, honoring dad.

What memories would you like to spread? How would you like to be remembered? Ki to Happiness spreads memories of joy and cooperation as she’d like to be remembered.

Easter time is the time for eggs and the time for eggs is Easter time. This little childhood ditty, my dad used to enjoy reciting every year. Today, in his honor, we will spread some confetti from colored eggs in his honor as his ashes remain intact it the urn.

A small bird with a yellow underbelly came to our window as we gathered yesterday. Dad always loved his property and spent the last of his days looking out the windows to the magnificent wildlife. I felt it was a little greeting from him, checking on us as we spend time with mom.

How will you celebrate Easter? What kind of greetings are you open to as indications of resurrection? Ki to Happiness sees the signs of spring all around us, and hears the bird songs reassuring us of renewal and energy’s continuance.

Growing up in St. Louis was all about the Mississippi River and the Arch. Today we drive past the Arch by one of our old residences and over the river. My brother and I will recall the many times we have made this journey as we head up to our mom’s for the first time since dad passed away.

He won’t be there to greet me and tell me how good I look, or complement me on my attire. I won’t bring him the special treats of macaroons. Mom will receive us as we celebrate his life, and show us her resilience.

How is your resilience? Are you able to celebrate those who have passed? Ki to Happiness becomes more resilient as she celebrates the best of those who’ve passed.

As I landed in my hometown, the air welcomed me. St. Louis has changed, at least as much as I have in the 50 years since I lived here. Yet somehow it stirs familiarity and nostalgia in my soul.

I won’t be here long as I am passing through to my dad‘s memorial in East Central Illinois, I’m gathering up my memories of him and our years here to take with me as my brother and I prepare to drive tomorrow. The scents of Spring blossoms and sights of young green leaves stir the birdsongs in my heart of family and friends together again.

What is your relationship with your hometown? What stirs the birdsongs in your heart? Ki to Happiness breathes deeply and remembers dad, our hometown and the many times we’ve smiled.

This day of holy week honors the way in which betrayal proceeded resurrection in the story of Easter. In the early years of my awakening, I would often feel a heaviness, depression, futility, and sadness on this day. I no longer do as I recognize breakdown has its role in order for breakthrough to occur.

I have always been a champion of the potential for breakthrough to occur without breakdown. I have wanted choice to be enough for breakthrough and change to occur. I have come to accept that I’m not in charge of these things, so I accept both choice and breakdown as valid ways to usher in the necessary changes in life, toward identification with the One.

Have you been successful choosing breakthrough? How have breakdowns led to breakthroughs on your path? Ki to Happiness honors all the ways that promote evolution of consciousness.