Saying good-bye
Once more I have come face to face with the unexpected “goodbye” of a fellow traveler .. someone who brought smiles into your day when he would walk by, share a moment, or simply wave. always a lopsided smile, a big wide eyed grin.. There are such people in the world, they radiate happy… during a winter storm, you are trying to dig through the big dump of snow at the end of the laneway, and along would come Johnny, “not to worry” he’d day, I’ll get that. And he would. He’d stop what he was doing and come over to help you clear the way so you could get out.
He was young, only in his early 50’s. He walked into the bedroom to change (he and his girlfriend were going to paint the bedroom) keeled over and died. Presto! gone! He’d been looking so good, he was walking every day, his colour was wonderful, I saw him just the other day, he was beaming, when he came to the door, I tell you, he was so genuine in his outlook. Now that light is gone, and we, family, friends, neighbours, will miss his delightful energy.
A shared passion .. love of nature, being outdoors, simply taking in life. As I walked along the edges of the forest yesterday, I took in the changes that were taking place… the season is changing, the weather is cooler. Where the big thrasher had gone along and cleared all in its path, new growth was taking over, the remnants of bigger stumps of wood were scattered … I spent time wandering, head down, intent on the wood left behind, looking for clues, messages from beyond.
It is that time of year, for some it is Yom Kippur, for me this time of year, is one where the clock turns over for me and I enter another phase/chapter – so the life long tradition of meditation on what was.. what is.. and how I am doing is all happening .. it has been a lot to take in. So much has been happening around me. As we age, we say goodbye ..far too many times. Unlike in the Jewish tradition there is fasting along with the reflections.. I spend time reflecting, and meditating on how and why I am in the “frame of mind” I’m in.
The time spent in nature helps me a lot. Yesterday I gathered wood, and spent time rearranging pieces (like a puzzle) to build a picture.
Oyashikiri
Stand still and consider the wonderous works of God. Job 37:14
