Things I want to remember about Iona
The beauty, the community, the homecoming.
Hello friends,
It is now 10 days since I returned from the In Between Retreat that I hosted with
. I jumped straight back into the beautiful chaos of family life but when I finally got a chance to pause, I wrote myself an email on futureme of everything I wanted to remember. This email will be sent back to me in November 2024. I have written these emails periodically at the end of significant times, and have always appreciated the gift from my past self when the reminders arrive in the middle of ordinary life. I also made a reel on my Instagram if you’d like to see more of the retreat.Here is my letter to myself, slightly edited for public consumption.
Dear Debbie,
Remember you left in the middle of the chaos of life: a broken washing machine, life decisions, friends' hardships. And you came straight back to swimming lessons, shopping lists and a work data reporting deadline. Remember the Peace that was sandwiched in the middle. Remember that your people were just fine in your absence (although it was good to be reunited).
Remember the beauty. The sunrises, the turquoise sea, the splotchy rocks and the wide open skies. Remember the feel of the sea water cold on your skin and the ocean stretching out before you. Remember Fingal's cave and the puffins bobbing in the sea. Remember how the beauty nourished and revived you. It really was as gorgeous as your body remembers.
Remember the feeling of homecoming. This Island is part of your heritage. The Iona Community started in Glasgow - rooted both on the Island and in the City. You feel those simultaneous pulls towards the urban and the wide open rural nature; here is the contemplative activism you've long resonated with. Remember singing 'Be Still' in the Abbey and changing the pronouns to reflect the Divine feminine. Remember finding that other voices around you were doing the same.
Remember being held. By Sacred Love, by the gathering, by the island. Remember the limpet shells Dorcas found nestled inside one another and the Russian dolls Fiona placed on our altar. Both are reminders that we are held and that we contain multitudes. Remember the spacious, gentle, generous bowl of space that we created together. Our temporary alternate universe, where each can show up with tears and with belly laughs. Remember the tendrils of courage growing roots and shoots in that nourishing soil.
Remember how it felt to sit in that circle: holy, honoured, present. Remember you get to create and hold these spaces, they are a necessary balm in a mad world.
Remember when you paused long enough on the beach to hear God whisper to you.
Remember to be gentle with yourself.
With love from your wild soul,
Debbie
Fiona and I are already plotting another Iona Retreat for 2025. We had a waiting list this year who will be invited first, but if you’re interested click below to give us your details.
I wonder if my reminders stir anything up for you? Have you had an experience of community that surprised you? Do let me know in the comments.
With love,
Debbie
I love that you write letters to yourself! Such a beautiful practice - thank you for sharing this one with us.
This is beautiful, Debbie. Such a wonderful place, and also the wonder of getting to hold space for others.