palms.

traditions seem to evoke memories. even in this transient lifestyle. commonalities still surface that stir reminders of what was. things like palm leaves.

this morning, the worship space was simply adorned with palms. and everyone was given one to wave. little amber wandered in late. uncertain of where to go. and she found a seat by me. innocently whispering quandaries throughout the service. about palm leaves. and prayer. and communion bread. and potluck after church. and she asked how these leaves could be alive. green plants are certainly a rarity in nome these days. and i said they must have come from a warmer place.
and my mind wandered to warmer places. where palms do grow. where palms dance in the breeze as a natural expression of praise. creation shouting its own hosannas. and i thought of moments sitting in mass in grand roy. as children showed me how to plait palm leaves. carefully weaving each blade. and i remembered how i saved my plaited palm branch. and it dried. and i brought it back to north carolina. and now it rests somewhere in my room.

and so i tried to plait my palm branch this morning. but the blades were too spread out. the weave was too loose to hold. and it came undone. and i mourned for that which has unraveled. for moments in grenada. for children. and palm trees. and vibrant beauty. knowing that folks had gathered today. had sang their hosannas. and waved their branches. and plaited their palms. and waited for the ice cream truck. and ate their sunday lunch. and plaited hair in the shade to get ready for school tomorrow.

and tears spilled out. to consider it all. all that was. all that seems undone. all that seems disconnected.

and even like little amber. as i question. and fail to fully understand all of this. i must continue to be present. and find beauty in the palms that are here.

i did manage to find a use for the unplaited palm branch. little mukluk and madison, our temporary guest, appreciated the gift. my apologies if such a decision breached palm sunday etiquette. but those two were irresistibly adorable with their new toy.