family

Finding Balance Between Work and Play

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For those of you who may be wondering, Mercury is on track (as of this writing) to go “direct” as of August 2nd. So welcome to August, and farewell to Mercury in retrograde.

Of course, August is the month when so many Leo’s like to spread their wings! For August is the time when most people want to, and actually do, take advantage of just playing and enjoying it all.

I’m sure many of you know this but just in case — Americans work much harder than their contemporaries in other countries. For instance, European workers routinely get six weeks off from work while most Americans don’t get anywhere near that.

Now, don’t get me wrong! Working is good for the soul. But somewhere I recall God saying that, “I love when the children work, but I really love when they know how to play!”

On another note, I am so often reminded of conversations with many of you who are devoted to those in hospice care. Whether you do this as a professional, or because you have a passion to give, your work is greatly appreciated.

As hospice workers know, when men are getting ready to cross over, their last words are often “I wish I had worked less and spent more time with my family.” For women it’s usually, “I wish I had pursued more of my dreams.”

Now that pattern in some ways has changed. But still, let’s face it, women are the main caretakers in the world. If you doubt this, check to see who is working not only in hospices, but also schools, hospitals, and just about any caretaking place.

On a personal note: I have been taking care of my 91-year old mother, and I can tell you, when I’ve needed help, it has been mostly women who have contributed.

Now, I’m going to take a little bit of my own advice and go out and smell the flowers.

But before I sign off, a HUGE thanks especially to those who have attended my recent events. I look forward to reconnecting once again in the Fall when I return to Chicago, Michigan, Florida (Tampa, Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale) and of course Roanoke, Virginia. And don’t forget to join me for my Blog Talk Radio show on Monday, August 5, where my guest will be author Keith Leon S.

Have fun, and Happy August.

Wisdom Can Be Found in Nature

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It’s August! For many, myself included, a favorite month!

“Summertime, and the living is easy,” as the song goes. A good time to unwind and enjoy life a bit more, feel young again while perhaps participating in those summer activities we did as children, maybe along with our loved ones who have made their transition. They are around, and want to see you enjoy yourself! Indeed, our DP’s often have had a hand in showing us the beauty of Nature.

Maybe you came from a family of fisher-people. If so, perhaps you shared meals over a campfire under the sky that your mom just caught with lures your grandfather made. Or perhaps your uncle was an avid bird watcher, and could whistle their sounds, or do a crow caw. Remember the joy, and enjoy Nature again.

I might also remind those of you who say that your are city people, that Teddy Roosevelt was raised in NYC, and was very sickly. So his father took him to the Adirondack Mountains every summer, which is where he learned his love of Nature. The result? Well, check out all Teddy did regarding the National Park System, which earned him the title, “The Conservation President.”

I would encourage anyone with children to get them to put down their I-gadgets (iPhone, iPad, etc. ) and let the kids experience an incredible day or week in Nature. Take a walk through the woods, or go for a quiet canoe or sailboat ride, or just sit down and view the sunrise, sunset, and stars. And of course, if you can, visit the oceans, lakes and ponds. To me, Nature is God’s church and temple.

I know that with many of you, I’m just preaching to the choir. But keep in mind that it is Mother Earth that feeds us, something we should never take for granted. Rather, love, cherish, and honor the hand that feeds you!

Over the weekend, I had the privilege of working with a quite amazing family. There were three children, a boy and two girls, and two adults, a man and a woman. I had assumed that the two adults present were the children’s parents, but, as they say, never assume. During the session, the brother of the man I thought was the father came through from the Other Side and it turned out that he was the biological father of these beautiful children. It was the brother and his wife who were raising them..

From the Other Side, the father communicated that he felt so honored by how well-behaved his children were, and he gave an unbelievable heartfelt hug to this brother and sister-in-law for taking on such a huge responsibility.

As I have often said, biology is only one part of being a parent. In this case, it was the brother and his wife who had worked so tirelessly and unselfishly while taking on the responsibility of caring for someone else’s children.

It was also wonderful that all three children had been visited by their dad and knew the particular way he had visited each of them. They knew that their biological dad was with them in Spirit, doing what he could to take care of them. A great session! (During the session, for whatever reason, the identity of the children’s mother, or her whereabouts, never came up.)

Let me note that I’m doing a fundraiser on September 7th in Connecticut for a cause near and dear to me: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. If you can make it, hope to see you there!

Enjoy the rest of August.

Love Is A Constant Force

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Happy June! Where flowers are blooming, couples in love are getting married, high school seniors are attending proms, college students (some graduating!) are taking a breather, and also, of course, last but not least {drum roll, please} Father’s Day arrives on June 17th . And a few days thereafter, we have the Vernal Equinox on June 21st , officially signaling the beginning of Summer. Whew!

I make sure my schedule always is aware of the many happenings that occur in June. For one thing, my mother is a June baby, and I will never forget when I was a teenager, I wanted to give her a surprise birthday party. Well, so many folks were just plain busy. But for the few that did come, I made a cake and instead of putting in baking powder, I added baking soda! Mistakes happen in life.

No matter who we are, or what our status or place is in life, no one is exempt from making mistakes. On the other hand, life’s moments can bring such incredible joy, and provide missing pieces to a puzzle. For example, we can become so connected to someone that he or she is in our hearts every minute of every day, and the thought of them brings us true happiness. Wonderful things like this seem to happen especially in June.

May was not too shabby either. While watching parts of Harry and Megan’s Royal wedding last month, the wedding of the year for sure, I noticed that love was being radiated, and everyone felt it. The connection between these two was quite obvious. Also, their trials and tribulations were similar. Harry’s mother – Princess Diana – is deceased and Megan’s father, while still alive, was not physically present at the wedding. Sad. I can tell you for sure that in connecting with loved ones here and in Spirit, during precious moments like weddings, people want their mothers and fathers to be present. Wonderful that Prince Charles could be there.

Historically speaking, what a VERY different wedding this was! Here we have Prince Harry marrying a successful bi-racial American actress, who is the type of woman his mother Princess Diana said he would marry (according to letters Princess Diana wrote to her son before her death): Someone who is smart, independent, and his equal. (Nevertheless, we know the Queen still had to approve of the marriage.) These are two young Royal people who can make a difference in the modern world. What a couple! And who doesn’t love to see some Love in the news these days?

I know so many people who met and married and knew in their gut that their mothers and/or fathers in Spirit had lent them a helping hand meeting and marrying their spouse. I have no doubt that Princess Diana had finally made this happen for her young son, when he was ready.

As for Megan, well it seems she too was ready to change her life radically, but again loves does that, does it not?

Love is and will always be the most constant force or energy you will have in your life. Love can give you strength you never had, enduring you through times you never thought you could get through. Just as a father often has to do. So this coming Father’s Day, let’s pay a special tribute to all the fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers, and father figures here in the physical and on the Other Side.

Looking forward to seeing many of you at my upcoming events and small groups in Chicago, Detroit, Albany, Baltimore, and a few locations in MA!

Don’t forget to enjoy the Summer Solstice! Kick up your feet and feel the Love!

Honoring a Mother’s Love

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Welcome to the merry month of May, in which we celebrate Mother’s Day! In my work, the busiest times of the year are when my office phone rings non-stop around Christmas and Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day is a hallmark “holiday” that can and does bring up every possible emotion – from intense love to intense anger and everything in between, depending on who you are and what your situation is. Of course if your mother has passed, then even more emotions may rise to the surface. And as I have noticed, losing a mother for many can be painful even twenty-years later.

I recently did a session with three sisters who had just lost their mom. They all lived together. To say the session was intense would be a gross understatement. These three sisters shared the task of caring for their mother who had Alzheimer’s disease. Each of them did their best. One acted a nurse, another handled all the finances, another took care of the household chores. In order to care for their mom, the three sisters needed to take out a reverse mortgage so their mom could stay in the house. These three sisters also gave every penny they had to take care of their mother because they promised their dad that they would never put Mom in a nursing home.

During the session, while connecting to their mom, I listened to the sisters’ describing their emotions and thoughts of devastation and loss. They also wondered whether they had done enough. Now, I can tell you of so many . . . many . . . sessions I’ve experienced where devotion to a mother was the predominant theme, but the devotion of these three sisters clearly placed them in the Top Ten!

The sisters felt such a powerful devotion because their mother had provided them with a wonderful life, and they felt that caring for her when she was ill during the last phase of her life, was the least they could do in return.

A twist on this story involved the fact that there was a fourth sister, who had bluntly stated that she had dealt with Dad, so she would not deal with Mom. The fourth sister also made it very clear that she had her own family (two of the other sisters also had children), a “rich” life, and that she wasn’t going to put her life on hold to help take care of Mom.

The three sisters just couldn’t understand the fourth sister’s not caring. They kept asking me how the fourth sister could do this, noting that it was clear that she had the financial (but maybe not emotional) means to at least pitch-in, in some way.

It was not my role as a medium to understand and judge all that may have transpired among these four sisters. But clearly, there were three out of four sisters who bonded together in every way they could, in honor of and respect for their mother.

This situation was unique because usually the mom sessions involve one sibling holding much of the family together, and acting a guiding force. This session is also an example of what I had indicated previously, that there is a litany of emotions that can arise when a mother dies, within yourself and family members. One thing is for sure, the three sisters will have a bond together for the rest of their lives, given their common devotion and sacrifices made for their mom.

I just couldn’t resist sharing this story during the Month of Mother’s Day. Hope you enjoyed it.

On another note, I don’t want any of the “guys” to feel left out of my Mother’s Day tribute, because I’ve met many devoted sons who have honored their mom by taking care of her during the toughest of times.

Oh, and before I forget, especially during the month of Mother’s Day, let us never fail to thank Mother Earth, the caregiver to us all!

It is my hope that, whatever your personal journey is with your mother, or mother figure who cared for you during your life, send her Love, flowers, notes, and/or whatever she would prefer, and whatever else strikes you, along with a heartfelt Thanks for all your mom provided you! If your mom is on the Other Side, thank her for all she did, and wish her a Happy Mother’s Day – she will hear you, I promise.

So, with that, let’s bring on Spring, Spring, Spring, to celebrate all life!

Love, Faith, and Lessons of the Soul

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Happy Month of Love!

If you live in parts of the country where the weather is cold, you will welcome all the warmth of love coming your way in February! For, we know it’s all about Love, Love, Love, as recited so poetically by Lin-Manuel Miranda who was the winner of eleven Tony Awards for “Hamilton” (I still can’t get a ticket), and of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize. He also has two Oscar nominations for Best Animated Picture and Best Song for “How Far I’ll Go.” To be honest, for me it couldn’t be better said. He is a very “in-tune” man who has expressed the message of “Love, Love, Love,” over and over again, throughout all his work.

For most of my adult life, I have repeatedly heard from loved ones in spirit, as well as from those still here in the physical, how much Love means. The deep intense feeling we experience when we suffer the loss of someone close to us, and how their passing impacts our lives, has to do with the fact that we loved that person.

I realize that we all have to sometimes work hard to keep the faith through Love, and make it replace fear. Not always easy, but necessary for one’s soul growth.

Many of you have written to me about the current state of affairs on a spiritual basis. Firstly, I’m with Lin-Manuel, Love, Love, Love. It couldn’t be more important in these moments of tension and fear to keep Love as a focus. Again, I know how difficult that may be, but I am and will always be a firm believer that Love will always win out in the long run. We may not always see the results we desire, but please believe me, Love is what God, spirit, and soul learning is all about.

Most of you know by know now that I honor and have the greatest respect for Mother Earth. She who feeds us, shelters us, and offers escape via trails to follow; oceans, rivers, and lakes in which to swim; mountains to climb, etc., etc. In sum, it is Mother Earth who allows us to exist. She has a whole world to take care of, and she does it, tirelessly tending for us. Mother Earth is the ultimate nurturer and the example for women to follow as caretakers.

Men too! I have as well in my work experienced many wonderful men who take care of their loved ones – children, wives, mothers, sisters, etc. That is what nurturers do – lend a helping hand, especially during those overwhelming moments.

For Mother Earth, taking care of the land and the waters that support us, is a full-time job. I have for a long time known that trees communicate with each other and like us, have families and communities. Indeed, a well-known scientist studied trees in Nature for a twenty-five year period and learned that the trees actually communicate with each other underground. For example, if a certain type of tree needs a particular nutrient or more sun, the other trees will adjust to make it happen.

So, in response to those emails about fear of what may be coming, whatever it is, let me remind you of my book Everything Happens for a Reason. Love, free will, and lessons of the soul are paramount.

Through our love as nurturers, remember, Mother Earth needs us to do everything we can to help share her burden. Recycling is just but one small example. Each of us needs to do our part to make the world inhabitable for our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. who will inherit the Earth when we transition to the Other Side.

With regard to free will, remember, God helps those who help themselves. We have the free will to do the little things that are the big things that make a difference. This can be as simple and taking cloth bags to the market and not using plastic bags. In some cities, plastic bags come with a price (a hotly debated issue in NYC right now), which is a disincentive to using them. When I worked in Denmark, there were NO bags in the stores, period! The oceans will be very happy if less plastic ends up there.

Lessons of the soul. We don’t die, we continue. More precisely, although nobody here gets out alive, every soul does. And the love in our souls continues after we leave the body.

Still, our bodies are important in our souls’ purpose and for learning. And Earth – a tough but wonderful school – is the stage upon which are bodies perform.

Take care of Mother Earth, and she will better take care of you, now and perhaps in a future lifetime.

As we start the New Year. I look forward to connecting in Love on the journey in which we really are all connected. I’m doing many new events this year in places I haven’t done for awhile, to name a few: Somerset, New Jersey, Baltimore, Rochester, Minneapolis, Chicago, Seattle, and Portland, while returning to many others I love. Visit my calendar for a complete schedule.

Happy Valentines Day, my friends!

Signs, Connections, and Gratitude

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Welcome to the month of giving Thanks!

There is not a day that goes by that I’m not thankful for our ability to connect to the spirit and energy, of Love.

Amazing too is how by just listening to your inner voice, or acting on a hunch or a feeling, we can open our hearts and minds to infinite possibilities. Let me share just one of those kinds of happenings, involving a person I had never met.

I was doing a radio event recently (a relatively rare occurrence nowadays, sadly, given the dynamics of the radio industry), in front of a live audience. Just before I am about to go on, the radio person who sponsored me for the event says that there is a guy in the audience who wasn’t sure but thought I might be dead! Yeah, that’s right. He came to this conclusion because he recently “saw” me with his deceased mom, while he was in the cemetery, and I was in my forties.

Well, this is what I call loaded material, scripted before I even walked out on the stage. I’m of course aware of the difference between receiving messages and interpreting them, so I knew that I had to be on my toes.

I walk out on stage, and, alluding to the story about the guy who said I was dead, I tell everyone that I’m quite sure I’m still alive and well. The guy who said I was dead steps up and sweetly and graciously proceeds to tell me that he took his mother to see me many years ago and that she had just died a month ago. He said that when he was visiting his mom’s grave, I popped into his head. From this, he had drawn the conclusion that I was deceased. He decided to Google me and found out that, on the very next day, I was going to be appearing just down the road from where he lives! I guess he should have realized at that point that I wasn’t dead, but sometimes, logic does not prevail.

It was pretty clear to me that his momma was connecting to him in the graveyard and getting him to come see me, although in a very roundabout way, which is often the case with messages from beyond. I have to say that this was, in some ways, very very funny, and yes, his momma did show up at the event with lots of other family members. And of course there were messages that came through me for him, and were very helpful.

Kids, you can’t make this stuff up! And right before Halloween! I guess that the veil between the two worlds was really rocking!

Now, with Halloween behind us, we are in the month of Thanksgiving. A difficult time for those who have had family members who were with them last year at this time, but who have crossed over in the interim, and will not be at the dinner table this Thanksgiving.

It’s during this time of year when that feeling of being alone can really hit hard – the first year after the loss of a loved one being the hardest, as I have so often said. Those who have lost someone near and dear during this past year may tend to feel especially despondent and isolated because that special someone isn’t around this Thanksgiving. But what we must always remember is that they ARE around, just not in the physical. Trust me, they are near you. Watch for those little signs. Trust our sixth sense and see how you recently departed loved one is making herself or himself known. Like I said before, listening to your inner voice, or acting on a hunch or a feeling, can open our hearts and minds to infinite possibilities.

I know it’s not easy, especially when your heart is broken. But take control. Open your hearts and minds and realize that your loved one is in a better place-a place we all are destined to ascend to eventually. Focus on this aspect of reality, recognize the Truth, and you will be able to heal your broken heart.

Now I realize that this is all easier said than done. Heartache is a deep emotion we all have to deal with sooner or later, and with the holidays coming, starting with Thanksgiving, even more so. That is why I most strongly suggest that you open up your hearts and minds, and recognize that, eventually, every soul must leave her or his body, and travel home.

Take time also to focus on others who are so much more in need. Perhaps you can become one of those wonderful volunteers who deliver food to the needy – or at least donate to that cause. But what may be even more important than food for those so down on their luck, believe it or not, is having a kind face acknowledge their presence, and wish them a happy holiday. Even better, if you can manage it, give that person in need a hug. We ALL need nurturing; no man or woman is an island.

And don’t forget your partner, or significant other, or friend, or wife or husband, whatever the term of the one you are closest with. Remember, family does NOT always mean blood. Connection is about Love, and we get it from so many different places.

So, if you are fortunate enough this year to be with all the family members who were around you last year, keep in mind those who have lost someone. Consider reaching out, and connecting with that person. The look in their eyes as you recognize their situation will be priceless.

And if you get a message about me while visiting the cemetery, like the guy on the radio show did, let me know!

And thinking of hope and thanks, I’ll be returning once again to Roanoke for Hope for the Holidays, with a stop off to ARE (Edgar Cayce’s Foundation) in Virginia Beach.

Warmly,
Suzane

P.S. Another suggestion . . . consider forgetting about your diet this Thanksgiving. I’m not saying overdo it, but, it is time to soak in all the festivities, so let yourself go, just a little.

What is Important?

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Welcome soon to the Fall Equinox! For those of you who are wondering, or are a bit in tune, yes, the infamous Mercury Retrograde is indeed upon us, and will last until late September.

I know for some that this is a difficult or frustrating time, but remember, in the grand scheme of things, it’s just a blip on your radar screen.

They say that travel can be tricky during Mercury Retrograde. Well . . . I travel a lot during this time, and usually experience no problems more than the usual travel annoyances. Annoyances, as we know, are not tragedies but just . . . incidents of little stuff that can make us “crazy” for a short period of time. Not really all that important – unless you let it be.

And by the way, especially if you’re a writer, musician, or any kind of artist, Mercury Retrograde can actually work in your favor since it is a time when you may become more creative. Also, think of it as a way to keep summer going, because after all, that’s what the Retrograde is about, standing still. Also a good time to explore your inner dimensions.

Speaking of which, in the context of discussing a deep loss, I was recently asked, “What is important?” Well, really, the answer is within you: what is important to YOU? Generally speaking, what I have discovered after having the very distinct privilege of sharing so many journeys with so many wonderful people, is that those folks who experience deep losses and sorrows in their lives do somehow manage to go on and find a healing place. What is important is to process the grief and “come out of it,” in your own time, commonly within a year, though there is no set timetable.

Most, although not all, of those people who do “come out of it” tend to have a deep faith, and know that there is a greater presence in their lives. Call it “God,” call it “the Universe,” call it “Spirit,” call it whatever . . . It is all a way of knowing that energy does not die, and that we, as souls currently inhabiting human form, will continue to exist in the hereafter.

Another key question I’ve been asked is: “Why?” For example, a very special woman whom I’ve known for over twenty-five years, asked “Why?” after she had recently lost not only her second child, but also her husband. It is always for me one of the most difficult questions to answer, but the short answer is that only your soul knows for sure – and that you signed up for the experience, or at least the possibility that the experience would occur, in order to achieve soul growth, and/or help another progress spiritually.

In this instance, this beautiful young woman is someone to be reckoned with, someone with an unbelievable zest for life! She is what I usually call the “glue-keeper” in the family. Their losses are always among the most difficult for the family to deal with, because it is the glue-keepers who keep the family together through all its trials and tribulations, and want to have all the answers at the ready.

I’ve talked about this in my books – it is not all that uncommon for families to lose more than one child, or sibling. Sometimes, this pattern runs through extended families. For example, both my grandmothers lost sons. And as those who know me realize, I also lost a nephew, who was a “son” to me.

Now, guys . . . please . . . don’t go nuts on me here. I’m not saying that this will happen to you. It is just a phenomenon that I have experienced along my own path, and in doing my work. There are more families that have not had such a series of intense losses, but instead have had lots of kids and siblings go on forever, and parents who live well into their nineties!

So please remember: we each walk our own path, and we each have the capability to enjoy every moment along the way, because each day is just that, another day in the life!

On a lighter note, I, for one, am still living off tomatoes from my garden in upstate New York. I’ve been giving away as many as I can to any pantry or church that will have the tomatoes for themselves, or others in need. So, summer continues. And although we are soon to be in the Fall Equinox, September 22nd to be exact, we have a good chunk of beautiful summer weather ahead: sunrises, sunsets, walks in the parks, hikes everywhere, strolls along the shore, a day at the beach, etc., etc., etc. Enjoy and embrace those warm daily journeys for we know, at least here in the Northeast, what is just around the corner.

Please note that I’ll be doing another event in the Capital region as it’s called in NY, returning to Nashville, Chicago, St. Louis, the Cape in Mass, the West Coast, Virginia Beach, and Roanoke just to name a few of my fall visits. And as always so looking forward to all I meet on my journey!

Summer Fun and Doing Good Deeds

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Don’t panic! It’s still summer. August is a long month so keep the summer fun going.

I recently asked a friend of mine if he were enjoying summer. His reply: “Honestly it isn’t different than any other season since I work just as much.” He did add though that he would be taking a short trip up north at the end of August.

I was left thinking that although I too work in the summer, it’s a time when I can’t help but play a little hooky. Okay, maybe more than a little, but after all . . . it is summer! Of course if you have children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, I would bet that you are sometimes actually guilted into playing hooky to be with them. It’s just the way our energy flows in August – a time to play hooky.

There is no time like summer when we feel that we have license to relax with Nature. Being outdoors and in awe of all the wonderful beauty the earth has to offer is simply marvelous. After all, in summer, Mother Nature is presenting herself in all her glory, giving us the opportunity to breathe in every enchanting moment. Do it!

And make the most of it; for, as we know, life can change in a heartbeat. That’s one more reason why it is so important not to miss an opportunity to experience the joy of those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.

I recently received an email from a father who attended an event of mine with his son. He was thanking me for saying really cool things about kids of his son’s generation. I’m not sure but apparently he had heard me mention that there are many young people who are involved in wonderful causes – from dealing with climate change to volunteering to walking abused horses, planting trees and working gardens, following what impassions them. Of special mention are those youngsters who want to help other children who have some sort of disability and can’t play the way others do.

I was touched that this young man expressed to his father that he had been wanting to help an older woman who lived down the street from them. He talked about how sometimes he sees her struggling with her groceries, or walking her dog. He remembers how kind she was to him when his mother was dying. The father had no idea that his son had felt this way, but I was honored that the father had reached out to me to let me know that what I had said at the event was true, and resonated with his son. As I often say, there is nothing more precious than helping others for no reason except to be kind. “Altruism,” we call it. Or as the Boy Scouts say, “Doing a good deed.”

As one more example, let me also share a precious “little thing” I experienced recently. Here, I was blessed to be on the receiving end of the kindness in humans that I so much admire and appreciate.

I had to go to my hometown to see my mom this past weekend. Most of you know that I was raised in a small rural town in upstate NY. The trip is about four hours from my apartment in Manhattan. It’s a beautiful drive with not a lot of cars on the road. Now, let me tell you that I’m really concerned about having enough gasoline, a trait that I picked up from my mother who is always intense about making sure you don’t leave her car without enough gas. In any event, my 2003 Jeep, “Glinda,” has over 200,000 miles on her but the gas gauge is broken. So I have to calculate my gas mileage. Well, somehow I had miscalculated and didn’t get gas before I left to see my mom.

So there I am on Route 88, a road that you can drive on for miles and not see any other cars. All of a sudden Glinda starts to sputter and I said out loud, “&%$#@$%^%$!” or something like that. Having been trained in car mechanics by my dad, I immediately realized that I was out of gas. I get out of Glinda, put on her flashers, and start to head up the hill looking for someone to take me to the nearest gas station.

Suddenly I see a guy pull up to the exit corner. I approached and asked him if he knew the area and if he could take me to nearest gas station. He said yes and drove me there. I run in, buy a gas can, and fill it up. I walk back across the street, hail down another car with a very sweet young girl driving, and ask her if she could take me back to my car. She agreed. We get there and as I jump out of her car, she says “God Bless!” before she leaves. Hmmmm.

Then a mother/daughter duo pull up and stop to see if I was okay. I’m glad they did, because I couldn’t figure out what the spring to the gas can sprout was all about. The daughter knew and gave me directions. Gotta love rural folks, they know these little but important survival deals! They waited patiently as I put the gas in the tank and started up Glinda. I thanked them again, and was on my way. More evidence that there are many many fine folks in the world just wanting to help out others in need.

After I got to my mother’s house, I read an article about how Harrison Ford was driving through my mom’s town and got a flat tire. Three cars stopped by to see if he needed help. So, it’s clearly in the water!

Love these little adventures, they always keep us in-check about all the good people in the world. I, for one, refuse to believe any different.

Okay then, kids . . . get back in the pool, on onto the trail, or along the sandy shore. Whatever. It’s August. Enjoy!

The Special Bond of Fathers and Children

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Welcome to June, and of course, the upcoming Vernal Equinox which arrives June 20th.

During the Vernal Equinox, day and night are each approximately 12 hours long (with the actual time of equal day and night, in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring a few days before). The sun crosses the celestial equator going northward, rises exactly due east, and sets exactly due west.

For all you season lovers, and especially those who are longing for summer – well . . . it’s coming up and you’re going to hit the jackpot. A wonderful time for graduations, weddings, and for me always, a very personal Father’s Day.

As I always say, one of the most special privileges I have in doing the work I do is connecting with people’s departed loved ones. Recently, I was doing a session where a young mother had just lost her father. Her having a newborn daughter actually added to the woman’s missing her dad, for she was feeling that he wouldn’t be around to see his granddaughter. Of course, we know that “Grandpa” will be around – although not in the physical way that his daughter would want him to be. I remember her words in describing her father and they stuck with me. I found them in one way to be very profound in the energy they carried, and in another way the perfect description of what a father means to so many of us. She said, in a very special way, “He was the salt of the earth!” When she spoke these words, I “breathed” them in and felt how wonderful this young woman’s childhood had been with her dad, and how that magnificent experience will be in her heart and soul throughout her life, and after. Although she is sad that her dad has passed over to the Other Side, it is so beautiful that she experienced the love of such a man, and grew up being “Daddy’s Girl.”

I will tell you that in my many travels, connecting with people all over the world, and beyond, there are some pretty wonderful dads out there who have been just as special. Another example: I was just recently doing my Mother’s Day show, and there was a woman there who made a comment: “Why don’t you do a ‘Father’s Day’ show?” Not a bad idea! But . . . there were many chuckles in the room, even among the DJs – I guess because the work I do is not as appreciated among the males of the species as it is among the females. But honestly, truth be told, there are many dads, brothers, sons, and boyfriends – guys – who get it! And even if they don’t get it, they have worked tirelessly and endlessly to make sure that their moms, sisters, girlfriends and daughters, are provided with evidence of Love. That is, these guys have been “taking care” of their gals in the best ways that they can. And so, at the event, I gave everyone an opportunity to “shout out” how much every dad was appreciated.

Fathers and mothers – where would we be without them?

And of course there is Mother Earth, whom I always honor, even on Father’s Day. For it is she who feeds, clothes, and houses us . . . together with Father Sun beaming down upon us, making this Planet Earth of ours . . . inhabitable.

I would like to personally pay tribute to all those organizations and everyday citizens who are devoted to taking care of Mother Earth. I speak for the many who were so hopeful after the G12 conference in Paris, with people from all over the world coming together and making a pact to do the right thing in lowering greenhouse gases, and whatever else needs to be done in those places facing drought or other scarcities.

In this vein, let me share that I was recently watching a documentary about Kansas farmers whose farm had been in the family for five generations. The current owners, young sons and daughters, know that unless there is a change in the water situation, they will no longer be able to provide for their families. The crisis goes on in so many areas. I could relate. During a recent visit to KC, I had a few in-depth conversations with the folks there about water. I know what that Kansas family is facing.

Water isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity for all living things. I know water is a “cause” for many, and especially for folks who live in arid parts of the world. For they are facing extreme challenges.

From wherever you are, do all you can do personally, and in your morning and/or evening prayers, don’t forget Mother Earth, especially on Father’s Day.

Please allow me to conclude this month’s newsletter with a GREAT BIG “THANK YOU” to Terri Daniel for yet another wonderful Afterlife Conference. I can’t begin to share all of the inspiring words that I heard throughout the event, many of which were spoken to me personally. The conference was so very important for so many. It was my honor to have participated. If you are wondering whether you should attend next year, don’t worry. Just go! You won’t be sorry.

Oh . . . at the conference, a woman from Canada came up to me and said that she would not have known about the conference if I hadn’t mentioned it in my newsletter. So glad to hear that! She had a great time. Maybe next time, that will be you! Next year the event will be in Portland. I will remind you.

As I write this newsletter, it’s that kind of day here in the Northeast where if you’re near the ocean, lake, pond or pool . . . jump in!

Have a happy June! Enjoy your fun in the sun and Father’s Day celebrations – even if your dad is on the Other Side. He will be watching over you. Guaranteed!

Please check my calendar for my upcoming summer events. I’ll keep you all posted! Meanwhile, for those of you in Baltimore, since I didn’t make it to you this past December, I’ll be doing a Saturday afternoon event June 18th. Again, please check my calendar for details.

The Merry Month of May!

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Happy Month of May! Most of you know that this is my favorite month of the year. Not because it’s my birth-month, but because in May, one can really feel that Spring has arrived.

I think it’s no coincidence that Mother’s Day comes in May, since May truly signifies the birth of Spring.

Needless to say, mothers are very important to us all, often THE most important person in our lives. Whether your relationship with mom is/was good, not so good, or really, really, really not good, it is still a key relationship. In one way or another, your relationship with mom will impact your entire life, and many, if not all, of your interpersonal relationships.

My friend Jane is always saying how she thanks her mother for all she’s learned, even though they have shared a very difficult relationship. There is wisdom in that perspective. We should all be thankful for the challenges we endure because, like old-fashioned photographs, we develop from the negative.

I recently had a wonderful session in which a young lady (let’s call her Mary, not her real name) came to me because she was receiving messages from her deceased mom and wanted to see if I could validate what was happening. What I got was that this was one wonderful mother who shared a rare honestly with her children.

There was a beach house that had been passed down from Mary’s grandparents who had borrowed money so that the family would be able to enjoy their summers together. Mary’s mother then passed the beach house to her and sisters but purposefully left out one sister who the mother knew would, because of her personality, create immeasurable problems in the family. Also excluded from the will was Mary’s only brother who was/is a gambler and drinker.

This was a mother who not only knew her children well but had the courage to make sure that the sharing of the beach house, which has now been in the family for generations, would remain a place of enjoyment. I don’t have to tell you how expensive beach property is, and nowadays buying one would be beyond the economic capacity of this extended family to purchase. I am sure Mary’s mom went through much soul searching before deciding to exclude two of her own children from her will for the sake of those that would continue to keep the beach house special, and free of acrimony.

During the session, as I sat there feeling how amazing a woman Mary’s mother was/is, I could not help but focus on the courage it took to exclude two of her own children from her last will and testament. More often than not, in my work, I often see how issues like this are often ignored, and then all the unfinished business causes chaos and splits families apart.

I’ve said it before and will share it a thousand times more – For those of us fortunate enough to possess some material wealth, there are three things we need to have:

  1. A will. It’s not only about money and property but also about your wishes regarding how you feel things should proceed after you transition. Be wise in whom you name as executor of your will. This should be someone you can trust to honor your wishes.
  2. Health proxy. Many of us know, or have at least heard about, the nightmare of not having someone appointed to make major decisions when a loved one is in a coma or on life support. Make sure you designate some who is NOT weak of heart. This needs to be someone who will, no matter what, follow your wishes, for example, with a DNR (do not resuscitate).
  3. Power of attorney. Again, if for some reason you cannot or are unable to make a decision while you are still alive, make sure you appoint someone who will carry out your expressed wishes. If finances are involved, give them the authority to pay your bills, etc. Often this will be the same person you name as the executor of your will, so when the time comes, that person will be familiar with your wishes and economic condition.

Although I connect freely with the Other Side, my work is about the living, as I’ve noted so many times before. For it is we who are left here on Earth, until our time comes, who must process our grief, and figure out how to move on after a loved one crosses over. It’s a challenge! And a time for soul growth. Of course, this may be especially tough for those of you who, this month, will celebrate your first Mother’s Day without your mom. But one thing you can be sure of this: she will be around. Watch for the signs, and trust what you feel and experience. Love never dies, especially a mother’s love.

So, in sum, on this coming Mother’s Day, make sure to celebrate all the mother figures in your life, whether they are alive or crossed over, and whether they are your natural born mothers or someone who has given you that motherly nurturing and loving. This of course includes grandmothers and great grandmothers, etc! Oh, and a reminder for all you husbands out there whose wives are moms-let your wife know how happy you are to be the father (or step-father) of her child or children. Make her feel special because, after all, she is!

One final reminder – never, never, never leave out Mother Earth from your Mother’s Day remembrances. She is the grandest mother of them all, the one who feeds us, houses us, clothes us, and allows us to breathe – while providing so much beauty in the world.

Please note that I will be doing two Mother’s Day events this year. I’m returning to WXLO in Worcester, MA for my 11th year on Friday, May 6, and I will be doing a very special Mother’s Day event in my own city, New York, with fellow medium Thomas John. I’m very excited about both. And, of course, I will again be at the Afterlife Conference in St. Louis on May 12 – 15. I’m so excited to be returning to Kansas City; I’ve been away too long.

Have a marvelous May. I’m so looking forward as always to connecting, spending time, and seeing so many of you again in my travels. As always, new friends are also most welcome!