Dolphin-bound

A.K.A.  My sneaky husband...

Thank you, thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes! It was a wonderful birthday and birthday week. One of the coolest parts was a secret my boys were keeping from me. I could see Sammy was about to burst, but as I love a good surprise, I kept stroking him in his "doing a good job keeping this secret, Sammy."

Here's one thing I love about my husband: he knows me. Another thing: he loves me beyond words, methaphor, and image. I am pretty sure I have no idea how deep his love goes. While we live in the day-to-day unfoldings of life together I encounter the well of his love for me and our love together. But it's a moment or event like my birthday surprise where I catch my breath and think, "Damn! This man really digs me.  And he gets me."  It's a lovely combination.

So what is this surprise?

I'm going swimming with dolphins!  And my best friend Heather Michele will be joining me!  WAHOO!

The Minnesota Zoo has a get-to-know the dolphins program which includes special seats for the dolphin show, followed by a special one-on-one time with a particular dolphin. From what I understand, the dolphin swim is more like a dolphin dip: very brief and highly controlled in a small part of the pool. And while it's my dream to someday frolic in the wild with dolphins this is a glorious foretaste of the feast to come. Made all the more fun that Heather and I will do it together. The date's not yet on the calendar, but it will likely be a Saturday in the next couple of months.  I'll be sure to take pictures and post them here.

In the Native American traditions, animals are messengers and bringers of good medicine. As I talked about in my last post, there is much arising in my emotional life right now. With the surprising way Dolphin has shown up here has me wondering what what gifts she might bring. Here's a traditional native story re-told by Jamie Sams and David Carson, co-autors of the animal Medicine Cards:

     Dolphin was traveling the oceans one day as Grandmother Moon was weaving the patterns of the tides. Grandmother Moon asked Dolphin to learn her rhythms so that he could open his female side to her silvery light. Dolphin began to swim to the rhythm of her tide, weaving, and learning to breathe in a new way. As Dolphin continued to use this new rhythm, he entered the Dreamtime. This reality was a new and different place from the seas he had known.
     Dolphin came to discover underwater cities in the Dreamtime, and was given the gift of the primordial tongue. Dolphin learned that all communication was pattern and rhythm, and that the new aspect of communication was sound; he carries this original pattern to this day.
     Dolphin returned to the ocean of the Great Mother, and was very sad until Whale came by and told Dolphin that he could return to be a messenger to the Dreamtime dwellers anytime he felt the rhythm and used the breath. Dolphin was given a new job. He became the carrier of messages of our progress. The Dreamtime dwellers were curious about the children of Earth, and wanted us to grow to be at one with Great Spirit. Dolphin was to be the link.

Ted Andrews' Animal Speak book talks of the power of breath, sound, sexuality, and spiritual practice that Dolphin invites us to. Being a sound-breath-body-Dreamtime lover, all of this makes sense. A few years ago I attended a week long retreat in Shamanic Breathwork. Whew, what an experience. I'm still integrating things that arose in that time. I'm not sure I'm up for a retreat like that right now, but perhaps the elements of breath and sound and body and dreamwork are asking for a different sort of attention. Thanks for that post-it note, Dolphin.

It's a Spirations Spiritual Direction Training Program weekend coming up, and I must return to my preparations. We have been exploring Ache and Dark Nights of the Soul this quarter. It's been rich and luscious, and I am eager to be with my women to hear their stories and know their hearts.

How might breath and sound be calling to you?
   

Comments

[Heather Michele]

I absolutely, positively cannot WAIT! I've always dreamed of hopping into a tank and doing a little dolphin tango. So, so glad to be sharing the experience with you (and the gray little darlin's of course)! [And, just for the record it was HARD for me to keep the secret too!] Woo Hoo! I'm thrilled abour our upcoming trek to the zoo. And for your presence in my life. Love you so very much! -HMO.

[cathleenmedina]

Trish, What delight to hear your side of the story after being part of the surprise!! Yes, Richard loves you in ways that are wayyyyy deeeep... a gift for us to witness. The photo of the dolphin here is perfect ~ as if it's going to jump off the screen and into my lap. Fascinating dolphin story ~ we'll look forward to your dolphin story and photos, and more unfolding in your life. Love, Cathleen

[lucy]

trish--
your story really has me intrigued, because i have been surrounded by thoughts of dolphins and dolphin stories for the last month. i went sailing the first two weeks of the year and traveled with dolphins almost daily. the images of them playing with the boat and "dancing" greet me daily. about one hour ago, i read a writing group story for the first time (it has been in my inbox for weeks) and it was about dolphins. i have not been to your sight recently (sorry to say) but here they are again--dolphins. i think i will be pondering the synchronicity and meaning of this for quite awhile. any spiritual direction thoughts you might have on this?
i look forward to your own dolphin story and the photos to follow.
all the best!

[Bette Wappner]

Congrats on a neat Birthday Week! Thanks for the lovely dolphin story, Trish. I'm thrilled for you to have received this gift of Dipping with the Dolphin!

I too have Ted Andrews "Animal Speak" book and refer to it often. The Shamanic Breathwork sounds very interesting. May More Birthday Blessings Come to You All Year.

Enjoy the time with your women!
Love you,
Bette.

[sally]

So glad you had a great birthday week- what a wonderful surprise. Enjoy your swim- and please tell us all about it!

[Abbey of the Arts]

Sounds so wonderful Trish! I know a highlight of my life was swimming with sea turtles last summer and your post reminded me of how they would be a good totem right now in my life. I think I finally need to get that book you mention, I remember wanting it last time you wrote about it. I want to know what turtles and doggies mean in my life right now. May your dolphin swim be everything you dreamed of. Love to you, Christine

[Karla MG]

Way awesome my friend!!! What an exciting present, and yes indeed, Rich DOES love you beyond words!

How is breath and sound calling me? To Immersion, where I may breathe in beauty & peace, calling & movement, and hear the sounds of Karen's & your voice! Yep, I get to make my declaration that I have DH's blessing!!!

Prayers that you may enjoy the warmth of family and snuggly covers on this brrrrisk morn! --Karla

[Suz]

What a fantastic present, Trish. Your husband sounds like a great guy! I had no idea they did this at Minnesota Zoo...this may be on my list!

I am not sure what my totem animal is...but I think it must be of the sea!

I am staying with my daughter in warm California, trying not to get too involved in her live...so breath is calling to me to just keep focusing on my OWN breath and my OWN self.

Have a great time at the Zoo and someday I hope you will have another, bigger dophin adventure.

[Story Midwife]

Heather and Cathleen, THANK YOU for the ways you kept the secret and added to the JOY of the day! Can't wait for you to see the book the Boys made for me.

Lucy, I love that you so recently spent 2 weeks with the playful, dancing dolphins. I'll send you a little something in your email box.

Christine, Animal Speak really is a grand book. If you get it, I'd love to swap animal wisdom stories with you.

Karla, how wonderful that you'll be joining us in Immersion! I look forward with you to all the ways you will bless and be blessed.

Suz, oh woman - be GLAD you are NOT in the Midwest right now! You may know that we've had the coldest weekend in years. In fact, we have frozen pipes right now that despite the plumbers best advice is not thawing the freeze. Enjoy your days there in CA!

Love to you all!
Trishy

[Little BluePetal]

Wow oh wow!!! What a MARVELLOUS man you have! Happy (belated) Birthday to you Trish! I wish you, both rushing waters and still pools for the coming year! xxx

[lucy]

just wondering where you have disappeared to. i hope things are well in your life and that you did get to swim with the dolphins.

[Cathleen]

Hi Trish,
If you have time, you been tagged for a "7 things about myself" meme. If you've had your dolphin swim, we'd love to hear about it!
Blessings, Cathleen