Three years ago, I had the wonderful privilege of traveling to Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the trip of a lifetime, when Geoff got selected to represent Ireland in the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
It was so exciting. Besides being super proud as a Mam, looking on as my son with down syndrome, wore his Ireland strip and took part on a basketball team, the stuff that dreams are made of.
So, the holiday began in Dubai for three days and then on down to Abu Dhabi for the incredible opening ceremony and competition.
One evening a man came into the hotel we were staying in. He had lots of trinkets with him, all handmade. Of course, me being me, my curiosity got the better of me, and I had to go down and view all the lovely items on his table.
I saw this little elephant and picked it up to examine him. The man told me he had made him by hand and that the elephant chose me! He then went on to ask me where I came from and when I said Ireland, he said, yes, he was definitely looking for you!!
Why is that? I said ‘Well, he has a green gem on his back, and you are from Ireland, that’s all I need to say! If you look here, his back opens and all your dreams go in there and as his trunk is turned up that is to accept abundance in everything. So of course, I bought him and a couple of other little gifts as well.
When I got back up to the room and took out what I bought, my husband said oh an elephant, why did you buy that? So, I told him the story. How much did you pay for it he said? When we worked it out the elephant cost €5.00!
I ran back down to buy more from the man, but he had left the hotel. So maybe the lucky elephant was looking for me after all, with his green gemstone on his back and his trunk turned up to accept abundance.
Elephants never forget that’s what I was told as a child, but I didn’t think they were involved in abundance. But they are! They also play a huge role in the ecosystem in the jungle. They assist in the germination of trees and plants. But they are the largest land mammal and while the lion is the king of the jungle I think the elephant is the strongest in the jungle.
So here he is the elephant of abundance, taking pride of place in my treatment room. Reminding me of the trip of a lifetime, of how proud I felt and the fun we had. That’s real abundance!