Miami Gift From God
The UNEXPECTED MIRACLE OF MIAMI’S RAVENS
MIAMI – GOD’S GIFT OF A GLIMPSE OF THE GLORY OF PARADISE
“God is Love” and “The Greatest of these is Love” summarize the message of the Bible. If you had the privilege of knowing Miami you experienced pure Heavenly Love (total and forever). We appreciate Miami and dedicate these writings to her.
DISCOVERING MIAMI”S MIRACLE OF HOPE IN THE WORLD OF ART Preface
We tell stories in the form of Myths (like Fairy Tales), we read or listen to Poetry (like songs and Hymns), we create Art (like pageantry or photography), and we practice the Art of Classical Riding (as taught here at Horsefaire) to help us to come to terms with the world. The ancient arts and literature of the spirit deal with deep inner problems, inner mysteries, and the inner thresholds of passage that have supported human life, built civilizations, informed religions, and call us to a deeper awareness of living. The news of the problems of the day can easily impinge on attention to your inner life and crowd out the still small voice of your horse. Classical riding at Horsefaire means teaching the important technicalities of seat (like Mushotoko which means without desire for gain) and position (like Zazen which combines posture, breathing, and attitude) and it’s effect on the horse while protecting the horse from prematurely damaging itself with wear due to the use of force (this is where the clicker comes in). Love is to be shown at all times. Miami’s Miracle of her selfless love healed my heart then pushed me stumbling on to the ultimate quest to serve others in love.
CONTENTS
1) Narnia reading
2) Fairytale
3) Decorative Art / Immanuel, Lyrics
4) Straight to the Heart, Lyrics
THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER BY C.S. LEWIS
A Reading for Miami’s Memorial – December 30, 2010
The last chapter - “The Very End of the World“
There on the green grass at the foot of the sky was a Lamb.
”Come and have breakfast,” said the Lamb in its sweet voice. There was a fire lit and fish roasting on it. They sat down and ate the fish, hungry now for the first time for many days. And it was the most delicious food they had ever tasted.
Then, the white Lamb became Aslan the great golden Lion. He told the children it was time to leave Narnia.
Lucy said,” Before we go, will you please tell us when we can come back?”
“Dearest,” said Aslan very gently, “ you will never come back to Narnia.”
“ It isn’t Narnia, you know,” sobbed Lucy,” It’s you. We shan’t meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?”
“But you shall meet me, dear one,” said Aslan.” But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. Come, I am opening the door in the sky
THE HAPPY PRINCE BY OSCAR WILDE -A Fairy Tale published in 1888
High above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of The Happy Prince. He was gilded all over with thin leaves of gold and his eyes were two bright sapphires. From this high pedestal he could see all the activity in the city. He noticed the suffering of the poor and this greatly distressed him. How he longed to help them.
A swallow was passing through the city on his way south for the winter. He needed a place to rest. The statue seemed to be just the place. In the morning, the prince asked the swallow to deliver one of his jewels to a poor seamstress who needed help for her sick child. Even though Swallow once had children throw stones at him, he brought the jewel to the mother.
Winter was coming. Swallow must resume his journey. Again, the prince said he had a jewel that must be delivered.There was a writer who lived in a garret. He was so cold he did not think he could finish his work. Swallow was cold, also. He remembered how he loved listening to stories outside of a loft window and knew he must help.
The deliveries continued on. Working together helping everyone they could until all of the Prince’s gold covering was given away and he was now a dull grey. Then one night, sadly, a dreadfully hard frost was too much for Swallow to live through and the leaden heart of the prince cracked in two.
God looked over the city to find the things that were most precious to Him so He could ring them to Heaven. He found them. They were the leaden heart and the little bird.
THE DECORATIVE RAVENS OF HORSEFAIRE’S CHRISTMAS COTTAGE
As late autumn approaches, we start festively decorating the outside of our barn and inside the cottage to welcome the coming Holiday Season. Tasha Tudor (who is one of favorite artists) always topped her Christmas tree with the Raven to honor this brave bird. Many people (including me) did not know that the Raven was the first bird off the Ark. We always think of a dove carrying an olive branch in her beak to show Noah that there was dry land and even growing plants! Genesis 8:7 says: “Then Noah sent out a raven from the ark, which kept going to and fro until the waters dried up from the earth. Next, he sent out the dove.”
I have fabric with hundreds of black crows in bare branches on a chestnut color background. It contrasts with the long blue shadows that reach across the winter snow. Our tea table has napkins, tablecloth, and cushion covers all made of this fabric.The Prophet Elijah was fed by ravens so this suits a table.
The Christmas tree’s Raven has a heart in his beak. He is the Angel bringing Miami’s message that reunited our hearts forever. She sent the ravens because she knows I like them, I have enough of them around!
IMMANUEL BY ANTHONY EVANS
This song was performed at Miami’s Memorial Service – December 30,2010
No decorations, no tree with tinsel.
No light, this year at home.
The rooms are silent, no carols playing.
For the first time, she’s all alone.
But what a wonder, she says there’s comfort.
For all the broken here in this moment
Immanuel! Our God is with us!
Yes, He is with us still.
Immanuel! He has not left us!
And he never will…He never will.
STRAIGHT TO THE HEART BY MICHAEL W. SMITH
When I’m down, when my soul’s in need of rest Come your words of comfort and of hope I see your face always smiling back at me
A stream of light shining straight to the heart
Child of God, child of light There’ll be no more lonely nights
Cause you have brightened up my life
There’s a road that leads me to this place
A path of love running straight to the heart
Over the years, I’ve learned one important thing
It’s that real friends shall never truly be apart
You were there in my darkest time of need
With a hand reaching straight to the heart
Take this gift, it is all I have to give
A prayer of love forever straight to the heart.
RIDING BETWEEN THE WORLDS
My gallant Miami erased the boundary between heaven and earth to selflessly give her forever hug to protect my broken heart.
