The Universe keeps tapping me on the shoulder about the power of love and grace when I forget. And ironically, it keeps tapping around the holidays...
Thursday, December 12, 2024 was a cold dense Venice early morning by any standard. I arrived early on Abbot Kinney to open up the OGT store for a morning shoot in our back zen garden. In a hurry with a number of tasks to do, I briskly walked past a young disheveled woman wearing almost nothing who mumbled something to me as I walked past. I didn't listen. I went around the side gate to open up the back; as I came back to the front, she was standing inside the store trembling. She pointed to a shirt on the rack, and in the softest voice, whispered "How much is the shirt? I have four dollars. They won't let me on the Greyhound bus because I don't have enough clothes on."
Her essence crashed me back to reality. I asked her to wait for a moment, I went in the back, pulled a shirt, and as I handed to her, she melted, looking at me through tears welling in her eyes, asking if I was serious, as she slid the shirt on. I asked her if she would like a golden thread blessing; she nodded. Her eyes widened as the thread tied around her wrist. She once again began to cry. What was shared with me without words was shameful sadness; how many of me had ignored her, had not treated her as a human, a heart with a soul in need of support? How often have I walked past? My friend Roberto brought her something warm to drink; she warmed herself, smiled, walked away, just saying "Bless you."
I cried multiple times that morning. Writing this in this moment, I feel the tears swelling up again. The gift of being on this earth is we get to be human. I hope I will not once again ever forget.
Thank you, Angel. In retrospect, I only wish I would've asked your name.
Follow the Thread if you feel the call to receive another Golden blessing on the tail end of Covid.
