Wondrous New

Sweet baby girl listens, all new and swaddled and cradled in the crook of her daddy’s knee, there beneath his guitar. He picks soft, a heart-sung lullaby. Scent of heaven fills the world, and ancient tenderness wondrous and new.

Hard to leave. So when we arrive at the old folk’s home, Auntie Dear is already at dinner. Hilda, Marylou, and Fran commence the work of sitting straighter and arranging bibs and catching dribbles. You’d think I was a first-time guest.

As I bravely ask questions, relief and gratitude shine in Auntie Dear’s dim eyes (you can only ask so much about Timmins Ontario and children with names that can’t be remembered). Not that she hears a word, but because everyone is smiling, she nods approval. Happiness matters to Auntie Dear. She’s been spreading it for nearly a hundred years.

I’ve a trick up my sleeve this day. Because Auntie is deaf, I say “I love you” through butters and oils and ever-so-gentle massage of those paper-thin skinned arms and hands. I pull a small jar from my purse, a new Wondrous Compound made of ancient oils, and watch Auntie pull up her sleeve.

Just like that, as if I’d pulled champagne and candles from my purse, it’s a dinner party. Marylou breathes deep, loving the fragrance of lavender on her skin. Fran’s smile grows sweet as I stroke her arm, and Hilda, well, she begins to ask questions. What a gift — those questions, and stirred-up memories of pots and red flowers and gardens brimming nutrition, and the chance to talk about Jesus.

Long after the other wheel chairs and walkers have left the room, the lovely dinner party lingers. Golden evening light beams on Auntie Dear, residing there, gracious as any queen.

The new Wondrous Compound I used on their skin is rich, golden, and soothing. I made it as a fabulous anti-wrinkle face cream. I’ve dry skin, so I don’t mind the rich oils and they soak in quickly, but some might prefer it as an evening cream. Tor those nearing a hundred years old like Auntie Dear, we can see that there’s quite a range of benefit. Wondrous Compound contains ucuuba butter, argan oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, camellia seed oil, Vitamin E oil, and, of course, lavender essential oil.

• Argan oil high in linoliec acid, a protectant, an ancient beauty secret of Moroccan women. I use PURA D’OR Organic Moroccan Argan Oil (4oz / 118mL) USDA Certified 100% Pure Cold Pressed Virgin Premium Grade Moisturizer Treatment for Dry & Damaged Skin, Hair, Face, Body, Scalp & Nails
• Jojoba oil closely matches human sebum, the waxy oil producer that assists skin hydration. You can try USDA Organic Jojoba Oil 16 oz with Pump, 100% Pure | Bulk, Natural Cold Pressed Unrefined Hexane Free Oil for Hair & Face | Base Carrier Oil – Certified Organic | Cliganic 90 Days Warranty
• Camellia seed oil, with its anti-inflamatory properties, is pressed from seeds of tea plant. I use Camellia Seed Organic Carrier Oil Cold Pressed 100% Pure 12 Oz
• Shea butter increases linoleic acid, strengthening skin-barrier function. You can try Organic Unrefined Raw AFRICAN IVORY WHITE SHEA BUTTER 1 LB (16 oz) BLOCK Best Price Highest Quality Bulk Grade A for Anti Aging, Base for DIY Body Butter, Beauty, Skin Moisturizer & Soap Making(GHANA)

To make your own Wondrous Compound or Skin-softening Butter, be sure your ingredients are not chemically derived. (That can be why mass produced creams can irritate, unless they’re super expensive.) If you click and order through the links above, as an Amazon affiliate I earn a small amount. Thank you most kindly.

Here’s the ratio I follow: one part butters to one part oils, scented with a generous pouring-in of essential oil. Here’s the process: melt the butters in a double boiler, add the oils, cool the mixture until just before it sets while you set out clean containers, then whip with an immersion blender, and finally, package. If you’ve cooled or whipped too long, you can start the melting process over. It’s fun! Go for it!

On the other hand, I’d love to make some for you, or for you to give as a special gift. You can order either Wondrous Compound or Skin-softening Butter. Thank you very much.

The information in this post regarding ancient compounds is credited to “Natural Oils for Skin-Barrier Repair: Ancient Compounds Now Backed by Modern Science” American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (2018) 19:103-117 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-017-0301-1, and “Anti-inflamatory activity of Camellia japonica oil” at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221980708_Anti-inflammatory_activity_of_Camellia_japonica_oil.