Iona Part Two

I finally feel at peace in this Island. Moving away from the hostel was the best decision we made.
Last night I was able to call my mom and see how things are at home. She slipped a little while getting out of her chair. My dad fixed the floor in the bathroom so there is no longer a step there for her to trip on. She also told me that my Aunt Juana who has battling cancer is not doing very well. I feel she is slipping from this world and entering the next phase...
After finding out the news I asked Patrick if he would accompany me to the Nunnery just up the road from our new home. We were able to find the altar in the dark, after stepping on a few snails - oops, and I set my torch to the red LED light in lieu of a candle. I sang Gabhim Molta Bridghe and Patrick found the words to speak for my aunt that I could not find... He said the all the right things and offered up a prayer for her safe journey into the next world.
I wondered in that place why I was so saddened by my aunts departure. I have known for some time that she was on the way out of this world but until now, on this island, I had not fully understood the depth of my love and attachment to this amazing woman. Prior to leaving for Ireland the first time I decided to bring the elements back to my aunt. I found Brigids flame in Kildare, a rock from Glencolumcille, sand from the Silver Strand beach and a feather my friend Gen found for me on one of our walks. I drove our friend Kendra home and in rush hour traffic made my way to my aunts house in Troutdale Oregon. I offered up to her the four elements and told her of my journeys to Ireland. How I had held her in my heart. How I had said many prayers for her while we trekked across the country side visiting holy sites and ancient stones. But until now I did not understand why.
In my earlier blog I mentioned that I found the Goddess here in this very masculine place. Aside the Abbey is a ruined nunnery that legend states once belonged to the Sisters of Brigid. It was here that Brigid's flame keepers and the ancients kept her flame lit. Then in the midst of my sorrow I turned to Patrick and I said my aunt gifted me with the Goddess... When I entered massage school she sent me a necklace of the Goddess - Venus of Willendorf - a 10,000 year old representation of a Goddess. Once when I lost my necklace - which I wore around my neck always, I had it tattooed on my back. I began to cry... Patrick held me in this place of old, where the spirits of the nuns sleep in the black earth. After singing a praise song we heard something sit on the bench beside us and we both felt something very ancient enter the area with us.
The last time I physically saw my aunt was when I brought her the four elements of Ireland. Patrick said, now she is offering up the fifth element to the universe.
My love for you has no bounds and even though you are about to leave this world for the next I know you always walk beside me as the Goddess does. I love you Juana... Thank you for setting me on this path for giving me the most amazing gift that I will carry with me until I join you... Slan abhaile agus granim thu Aunt Juana... My teacher, my friend, and the most amazingly strong woman I know... After you depart, your physical presence in this world will be sorely missed...