ELIZABETH CUNNINGHAM

(this is inspired by the bright dark madonna)

I was in a bit of a dark place





i felt lonely a lot - my few friends - actually they are my tribe members - had very full lives and we don't often get together





and as i find solace in books, stories, the written word, i rely on the angels that live in the Whangarei library to deliver me what i need...





sometimes those celestial book deliverers are so on the money it is scary





and that day they must have put their best team on the job, because i found myself walking out with a book written by a woman with the same surname as me... it had a sumptious cover and a good hefty weight...





the book is called Magdalen Rising and is by Elizabeth Cunningham





i was only a few pages through when i found a new part of my heart opened up and i have not been the same since





i devoured all of Elizabeth's books in the library - the Passion of Mary Magdalen and the bright dark madonna





i stalked her - finding her blog, twitter, facebook, emailing her and telling everyone who would listen about these remarkable-soul-opening-heart-filling-story-uncovering-passionate-rich-alive-books.








Now before you dismiss me as a creepy loon let me explain a bit more...





Elizabeth's words make me laugh and cry and feel like i have come home (which is a bit weird because the stories are set in Christ's time)





i feel like i have found another branch of my tribe (albeit an educated and erudite and gifted one)





i feel more alive to myself since Elizabeth and Maeve have come to live in my heart.





She has inspired almost each new peice of artwork i have made since i encountered her.





i have a new relationship with Jesus since i read those books - since i was reminded that he was a man, with dirty feet and feelings...





my friends and i are passionate carriers of the flame of these books and have each been moved in very different and yet all profound ways by them





and Elizabeth has been a gracious stalkee... she has sent loving messages and laughter - she was the one who alerted me to the tsunami...





Then when i read that Elizabeth was singing the songs she had created for the books i couldn't wait to hear (this is my favourite for some deep deep unknown reason) she created a CD called Maevensong (listen you will be moved if you have a spirit like mine - ie: alive, seeking nourishment)





i wanted to buy Maevensong for myself and my friends and wanted Elizabeth to sign them so contacted her...





not to rant about the american banking system but it was very very complicated to organise this





and guess what





she addressed 5 cds to myself and my beloved friends and sent them free - on the proviso that we take her out to dinner when she comes to New Zealand (which i am shamelessy pimping to her in the hope that she will)








that is love in action





she didn't dismiss me as a creepy stalker (tho God knows she has grounds!) she opened her heart and she has blessed a small community of women in a country literally on the other side of the world with a gift of her heart's songs and spirit which is immeasurable..





i honour that Elizabeth chose love

and my eyes are full of wetgratitude for her place in my life and my heart