I am especially grateful for good days, sunshine days, especially when health challenges are present. Let me tell you a story. Recently I tried my first craniosacral therapy session; the therapist, Erdi Jacobi, had been highly recommended. She combines quantum touch with craniosacral therapy, and I was seeing her for IBS. I did not know what to expect.

What I sketched in my journal that evening

She applied gentle hands to my spine, shoulders and hips while I stood. She continued applying gentle touch after I lay down. So relaxing. Erdi mentioned that she was seeing the colour yellow. (Later she told me that she’d asked herself what colour would help promote healing.) “What does that colour mean to you?” she asked.

“It’s a happy colour,” I replied, with my eyes still closed. I think of sunflowers, dandelions and yellow roses.

“I think it would be a good idea to surround yourself with more yellow, Ramona.” (I contemplated the distinct lack of yellow in my home and certainly in my wardrobe.) Then I saw a picture forming in my mind’s eye. It was a slender young woman with morning light streaming around her. It felt good. After a while, a bluebird came and landed on her right hand. My rational mind cut in with, “Why a blue bird, why not some other colour?” I decided to drop the silly question and smiled for a visit from a bird associated with happiness.

After the session Erdi mentioned she’d seen blue in addition to yellow. I told her about my visualization. Maybe a coincidence? Then two memories surfaced that made me smile more.

Happy Memories

A butterfly wondering where to land came to rest on a fairy's hand.

“A butterfly wondering where to land came to rest on a fairy’s hand.”

Happy memory #1: Don’t ask me how but I still have a special dish from my own toddler days! Here a butterfly lands on the right hand of a pretty fairy.

Happy memory #2: When I was child, my mom told me a story about my birth. Who else likes hearing stories about their birth? Anyway, I was born in Vancouver, British Columbia at what was then called the Grace Hospital. It was the 1950s.

“Ramona,” my mom said, “I developed an infection after your birth. I’ll never forget the nurse who helped me. She was so kind. Her name was Elizabeth Clarke. She wrote that beautiful song you like to listen to, ‘Bluebird on Your Windowsill.’ She used to sing it in the hospital.”

 

There’s a bluebird on your windowsill
There’s a rainbow in your sky
There are happy thoughts, your heart to fill
Near enough to make you cry…

Oh yes, I loved that song! I knew the version sung by Doris Day. I’d almost completely forgotten about it. Now if there’s a song to lift my spirits, this is it! You too?

Bluebird on Your Windowsill

Elizabeth Clarke was apparently inspired to write the song by a little boy who was excited to see a bird landing on the windowsill of his hospital room. It’s an upbeat song but it stems from sadness. Elizabeth said herself that the song made her want to cry. I read about this at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Click on the link if you’re interested in learning more about Elizabeth Clarke.

And if perchance your heart grow sad
You still can smile again
And with every tear you’ve ever had
Comes the sunshine after rain…

The rainy days may come and go
But the clouds soon roll away
Everything will come that you wish it so
As an answer when you pray.

With coaxing, Elizabeth sang the song on CKNW radio in New Westminster. It was so well received that many recording artists sang it; including, the Rhythm Pals, Wilf Carter, Doris Day and even Hank Williams’ wife Audrey!

Carmen Elizabeth Clarke (1911-1960) passed away not that many years after my birth. She was only 49 years old. She certainly left her legacy, not only in terms of a wonderful song but also in terms of dollars and cents. She specified that all royalties were to go to sick children’s hospitals in Canada.

So, here I am, not the most robust I’ve been. Sometimes it’s a little too easy to feel defeated, but I’ve overcome challenges before! I’ll take Elizabeth’s words to heart…and sing too. Maybe what I want will come true. Why not? You never know about bluebirds and rainbows and happiness!

Oh yes, and before I’m done here, I just want to say that after my craniosacral appointment, I went out and bought myself a beautiful golden yellow gift–a Tibetan singing bowl. Its sound, which promotes healing, is, I must say, exquisite. Its tone resonates with the solar plexus chakra, very fitting for what ails me. Here’s my bowl:

Yellow, blue and rainbows, a song and a singing bowl too. What might my above words have reminded you of in your life? I’d love to know. Please do share in the comments section below. And, may your rainy days yield to sunshine and rainbows!