My first Thanksgiving without Tomaso revealed a joyful celebration with my Blue Heron Farm now Flavors of Morocco Family. When I arrived at the old homestead, I picked figs and filled the bowl almost to the top.

Tomaso grew the figs, and as I touched each one, I sensed his smiling nod and presence. Our dearly departed loved ones are still here. We just have to slow down enough to receive them.

Will I ever meet Tomaso again? The future is uncertain yet I see him every day in the garden, and the beautiful Pearl we both love, and the trees, flowers, birds, beasts and stones. He is here. He is everywhere.

The hours of the day are not long enough to contain the love we have for all those we remember this holiday season. The long nights need not be cause for fear and trepidation. They stretch out in a yawning embrace of a life well lived.

The 3 AM hour is best spent quietly in meditation, rather than reviewing the to do list or the ways we may have hurt others, or the ways they may have hurt us. As A Course In Miracles says, these thoughts only amplify the ego’s need to make sure we don’t know true happiness.

True happiness is only found in the here and now.

Today I extended the meditation of the vibrant breath and played the harmonium immediately afterwards.

This does not make me a better person.

It does make me happier. JAI Ram Om