May-June 2011 - The Journey

Life is Good, All the Time
here has got to be something more…what?
That’s the question I asked myself during the grief
of burying my 8-year-old daughter, Theresa, who had
passed after four years of leukemia.
Had I realized that my prayers had been heard and
answered when I asked God to give her to me for one
more year (at the age of 7), I would have asked to have
cured her completely.
I didn’t know that I could ask for a miracle and the
grace of God to intercede. Grief unfolded and I needed
to know more.
My soul absorbed the teachings of
reincarnation and soul attraction,
and I began to thank my daughter’s
soul for leading me to greater
understandings of life.
My church at the time didn’t have answers for me
about more than her body being placed in the ground. I
went on a search to find something more. My first inquiry
at the Rishis Institute of Metaphysics, which held my
focus for 18 plus years of study, was God-sent.
My teachers and fellow inquiring students helped me
step over a threshold of wisdom through ancient metaphysical
teachings. My soul absorbed the teachings of
reincarnation and soul attraction, and I began to thank
my daughter’s soul for leading me to greater understandings
of life. In so many ways, she showed me her faith
and understanding of a greater existence. I would often
say she was my strength and courage to go on.
And go on I did. By 1984 I became a member of the
Unity Church of Westlake, now called the Unity Spiritual
Center of Westlake, and volunteered as a youth education
teacher and kitchen angel.
The presence of God was no longer outside of me
but deep within my own Being. In the early 1990s, I was
drawn to the Theosophical Society, Besant Branch to hear
a talk given by Dr. V. G. Kulkarni. I became an active
member there to support my studies of world religions
and theologies, serving two years as vice-president of
the Besant-Cleveland Branch.
In 1997 I formulated a respite concept – the pause
for peace and renewal for adults with mental health
challenges – and opened the not-for-profit Rose Garden
Respite Center on the west side of Cleveland. Throughout
Pa g e 40
By Annette Tabar
the years, visitors have come to enjoy the quiet of this garden
setting and to experience inner peace. Tea and scones
are a treat many have enjoyed while sharing their stories
and experiencing guided imagery, Reiki, aromatherapy
and grace-filled prayer.
Staying in the flow of life, a challenging lesson in our
Rust Belt Blues arena, was another aspect of my life that
I knew “something more” was there for me.
Growing up in Cleveland, I was surrounded by vital
corporations that provided futures for thousands of employees.
And yet, I experienced seven layoffs or reductions
in force. Some of these occurred before Theresa passed
while others – the last being BP of America – dropped me
into an economic swirl for which I wasn’t ready. I returned
to school, using some of my part-time credits from Cuyahoga
Community College to transfer to Baldwin Wallace
for a four-year degree.
Psychology and philosophy were my choices of study,
which lead me to advanced studies at the Mandel School
of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University.
I became a social worker in the mental health field.
Today, my greatest joy is helping people help themselves
through discovery of personal strengths and a deeper
source of inner power…their own God self.
I have not ever been concerned with my past lives,
yet I know that my talents and strengths have given me
support for the many challenges I have faced in this life.
Balancing and harmonizing my energy is a daily requirement
through silence and meditation.
I know that I am one with all of creation and thus
responsible for what I attract and send out into this universe.
Awakening to the present moment, the perfect
expression of God’s presence in my life is the greatest
gift I can accept.
Pausing to enjoy a flock of bobwhites take nourishment
in the garden or to listen to the call of a cardinal
on a summer’s night are a treasure to me. Taking the
seasons in stride, anticipating winter’s turn to spring,
lights up my soul, knowing a loving cycle continues and
will continue.
My many gifts include longtime friendships. Three
young women who were my daughter’s friends became
my friends. A caring son has given me a spirit-filled granddaughter.
I have had loving parents, grandparents and
siblings to share the family spirit with.
My hair is nearly all white now, yet I laugh deeply
and often for it is God’s pleasure to fill me with the gift of
laughter that others may hear the call of joy.
Ma y • Ju n e 2011 T h e Jo u r n e y