Tonight we, my family and I, joined a group of other families for a gathering.

A gathering of children, from three weeks old, to fifteen years old. A gathering of parents, and friends. A fire, stars, food, guitars, hoola hoops, pin the tail on the donkey, pass the parcel...

A night of laughter, singing, dancing, of merriment and joy.

Wood smoke, grubby faces, burnt marshmallows...a family of generous spirits, of supporting, nurturing, and sharing.

So many mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters in this one family...all together, all embracing the moment.

Not one of us blood related.



Live in the moment, embrace it, and share it...extend your hand, and watch your heart follow....

Generosity of spirit knows no limits.

What a beautiful thing to experience, it doesnt take alot to have a good time with people who love life!!! sounds like a good time Jess, my hats off to ya!!

Hi Jess, Sounds like a great evening! I don't know what pass the parcel is, though. Could you describe it, please?

Oh my!! You've not played pass the parcel??? Summerlady, you have not lived!!!

Take one beautiful object, a gift. Wrap it with care.

Then do it again.

Create a multi-layered parcel.

Everyone sit in a circle, with a volunteer to play guitar.

Whilst the music is played each person passes the person to the next, round and round the circle.

Everyone sing...guitarist owns the audience, he/she stops intermittently.

When the music stops the person holding the parcel unwraps a layer.

Round and round it goes until it is down to the last layer...

The last person to open the last layer recives the beautiful object.

(But everyone got the gift)

Ooops, try passing the parcel to the next person, it may be easier..

Wow Jess that sounds like so much fun...

jess, what a great time you all had. sounds like a lot of fun., I never heard of pass the parcel either. that sounds like fun too, who thought up that little game?? can't beleive i never heard of it. But, you said, everyone got the gift, does that mean, you just buy little gifts for all the people????? thanks for sharing with us.

Ahh Lee a beautiful way to spend an evening...this is the feeling I get when we come together and paint ceilings with toes, wear shiny hats, laugh, cry and laugh again...time zones be damned, oceans matter not..it is as if we are all in the same time and land at once..oy I am so sappy

Jenni, my love...we do live in the moment...even when lying on our backs with shiny hats on triangle brains, with paint on our toes...you get it...

The hand extends, even if only to the keyboard, and the heart follows right on along.

SweetnsexyB...the gift was in adults and children alike, all sitting in a circle, playing a children's party game. as equals, as children, sharing songs, and laughter, and anticipation as to who would unwrap the last layer.

One physical gift... a beautiful object.

But an enormous gift for all of us...being together in spirit and in heart.

ahhhhhhhhhhh sounds like a great way to spend time with friends who are family..........love the past the parcel game, and love the meaning behind it even more, thank you for sharing Jess

Thanks for the idea...
Could use that all year round- but I think I will use it for
Christmas or maybe even Thanksgiving...

Never in my life, have I met a woman of your magnitude, Jess!!! Thank you for the experience that seems to inspire every stroke of the pen; every word left unsaid. I extend my heart, to you, as a token of my esteem.....and friendship..... Mario

*bows head*

Thankyou Mario...Sharing one's truth is easy..