Ellie Casey: To Look Back With No Regrets
Ellie Casey is a kind, strong, thoughtful woman who has lived a meaningful life and is constantly trying to give back to her community. She sees every day as a gift, and says that it’s being able to make a difference, even in a small way, that drives her each day. She finds joy in helping her neighbors and making meals for them, as cooking is something she’s passionate about.
Casey is very connected to her spirituality, and food is a big part of that. She shared, “part of my spiritual journey was participating in Native American sweat lodge ceremonies for about four years. It was very important to them to do everything purposefully and in a spiritual way. I found this to be beautiful. I consciously prepare food in a certain way; sometimes I’ll kneel and pray in front of a meal, especially if it’s being given to other people.”
“If we’re unable to love, it’s an imprisonment.”
-Ellie Casey
Casey, like everyone, has had her share of traumatic life experiences, catastrophes, and suffering. She shared, “there were times when I wasn’t sure I could carry on and overcome the emotional pain and accompanying fear. I sometimes felt like I was sinking in quicksand. Yet, I have been blessed by great teachers and teachings that have kept my creativity alive… Overcoming suffering allows us to be shaped and transformed into a new reality of mindfulness and compassion.”
She claims that during the worst of it all, a voice spoke to her. The voice told her that it was not her time to leave and that she was still needed. “After that experience, I now really know that I am more than the body; I am not the body, I am a spirit,” she explained.
Growing up, Casey felt as if her mother was never really there. She was extremely emotionally unavailable, which forced Casey to mature faster and learn to handle things on her own. As she does with every situation, Casey managed to stay strong through this tragedy, claiming that the entire experience made her look deeper into herself, which was an enlightening journey.
Now, Casey has a daughter of her own who she cares for and loves very much. After moving back to San Luis Obispo County from the Bay Area, she stepped into the role of grandmother, and loves her grandchildren in the most beautiful way possible. While living in the Bay Area, she worked as a postpartum doula, specializing in twins and low birth weight babies.
With so many ups and downs in life, only one thing has stayed consistent for Casey - her love for writing. She has a completed manuscript, Tending the Chambers of the Heart, consisting of 65 poems and is currently writing a book about humanity’s connection with each other. She has drawn inspiration from many poets, such as David Whyte, John Dunne, and R.W. Emerson, as well as her high school English teacher. “He really appreciated my poetry. He was a real jewel. His support and encouragement really helped me to believe in myself and my writing,” she shared with a smile on her face.
She has combined her love for writing and her hope to put good into the world into something wonderful - an open mic event. On the second Sunday of every month from 2 PM to closing, Ellie Casey hosts this event in the garden at Top Dog Coffee House in Morro Bay.
When asked about her intentions with this event, she said, “I want to bring the community together, to give them an opportunity to express themselves, to be heard, and to share from the heart.”Casey encourages young people to come to her event, as she believes their perspective on life, especially as they’re growing in our current society, can be very eye opening.
Heavenly Earth, by Ellie Casey
Winds, cleansing the atmosphere
of the Earth,
preparing the planet
for its Sacred Birth
Rains pour forth
from ominous skies,
Wise and ancient Cloud people
flood the Earth
as the River of Life
runs its course
Snows blanket the Earth
with Virgin White wonder
As the Divine Mother
looks o from above
The Earth quakes with expanding intensity,
The Power of The Creator at work
bringing forth new life
from deep within
the Earth’s core,
Awakening from a sound sleep
like an innocent child.
All is in a state of flux,
as the Heavens are breaking loose;
A new Earth is being born,
A whole new root race is coming into being.
A Divine Family
is uniting
in the Kingdom’s abode
The Father and Son
Calling us forth,
“Come into this Light,
and come unto Me.”
How brilliant and beautiful,
this new Heavenly Earth,
this Sacred Birth.