“These are the days now that we must savor And we must enjoy as we can These are the days that will last forever You’ve got to hold them in your heart.”
-Van Morrison: “These are the Days”
Traveling makes sentimental songs like this express my heart, my feelings, my thoughts and yearnings. How can I possibly share what I’ve been experiencing in mere words, especially when, in just a few weeks of being on the trail, I feel like I’ve experienced lifetimes of beauty?
This song captures the magic of now… even now, simply sitting at the computer in the room where I am staying. I am surrounded by lush Atlantic Tropical Rainforest on an island called Ilhabela (beautiful island). I am a guest at the home of Rodolfo Tucci, (Rodolfo is a successful photographer in Brazil; you can view his photography, (the first page has photos of Ilhabela), and read about him at that link), the father of our dear friend Illa Tucci and her husband Vitor. Rodolfo and his wife Rossane’s home is what they call “rustic” here on Ilhabela. What they mean by rustic is luxuriously simple but made with natural materials. When we walked into the house late on Tuesday night after a long day of travel, I felt like I was walking into a dream of mine, the house resonating deeply with the home I dream of for me and Jonathan. So this is really special for me -a gift to step into and become a part of the lives of others for a time, to witness and observe the love shared…
Yes, so part of what is so special about this time is that our friends Vitor and Illa, who live in Sydney, Australia, magically, fatefully, serendipitously, are visiting their family on Ilhabela at the same time that Jonathan and I are in Brazil. Wow! So these days are very precious for Illa and Vitor -connecting and being with their family in this place where they fell in love when they were teenagers! And Jonathan and I are here, taking part, observing and sharing in the love and generosity of this family -experiencing the warmth and beauty of Brazilian people in a very special way. My heart is full and overflowing.
Last night I was moved to tears by witnessing Vitor playing capoeira with his dear friend Danelo, Danelo’s wife Annie and their young son. I felt the entire history and spirit of capoeira in these few moments of them playing together with such joy and silliness, skill and strength. And for Vitor, who hasn’t seen these dear friends in four years, this way of connecting was deeper than any conversation or time spent together. I was so moved to be a part of witnessing the love shared between old friends who live so far apart.
I do want to comment on the 20-day Vipassana course I completed on Saturday, September 8th. This was my first time doing a 20-day course and it was really challenging. There were times when I felt like it was as difficult as my first 10-day course ten years ago in Japan. For certain on days twelve and thirteen I wanted to quit. It is hard to comment on such a difficult, powerful and internal experience as a long, silent meditation course. The insights and changes happen in brief moments and while truly alone with the self. It was very special for me to sit this course with my new husband! I loved getting to reconnect with him on day twenty when the silence was broken. I’ve posted a photo of us taken almost immediately after we broke silence, my first words being spoken with him, my voice creaking out of my throat like rusty hinges. I was amazed by the feeling of lightness I felt when the course was complete. It was certainly worth the hard work and discipline and I’m really glad I didn’t quit! I was trying to imagine doing a 30-day course next and I still can’t quite put myself there, so maybe I’ll do another 20-day first! We’ll see!
Well, that’s all for now.
Much love from Brazil,
Darcy
To Love What is Lovely and Will Not Last 