My mother and my brother used to sit together to watch the sun set here. They are gone, but I remain. |
So on this time of the "thinning of the veils" I create this very personal post, in which I remember some of my own Beloved Dead. I will join a few others on the night of November 1st to eat, drink and remember the Beloved Dead around a little fire pit this year, and I have my "list" of those I wish to remember on the Feast of Samhain altar I made. As I get older the list gets longer, and the need to praise them becomes more important, more poignant.
“Grief expressed out loud for someone we have lost, or a country or home we have lost, is in itself the greatest praise we could ever give them. Grief is praise, because it is the natural way love honors what it misses.”
― The Smell of Rain on Dust
Charles Spillar. Friend to so many, community organizer, supporter of the arts, helper of artists and of veterans, preserver of the Valley of the Moon - my friend too. |
My brother, Glenn. So intelligent and sensitive, so overwhelmed by the harshness of the world. |
Carol Christ, a truly Great voice for the arising of the Goddess in our time.
Missed by so very many, although her work will remain to speak eloquently that which must be spoken of.
Frank Barney, Creator and Co-Creator of Brushwood Folklore Center - a beautiful piece of land and forest that houses a Center that has brought together thousands of people over the years in Celebration of nature, ritual, music, Magic, and Fellowship. A true Home for me over the years and the many blessed summers I spent there. I can't praise Frank enough for his kindness, vision, and love of people and the land.
Ursula Kroeber Leguin, mentor and muse, her words and her worlds will linger with me and inform me until the day I die. |
Jeff Rosenbaum, Creator and Co-Creator of Starwood Festival, the biggest Pagan festival on the East Coast. He believed in me, when I didn't, a great gift. May the Starwood Bonfire burn bright for you, every year, continuing your legacy, Jeff! |
"Mr. Grey", the noble and ever mysterious "Guard Kitty". He was killed in the spring, and I always miss him. May you run free, old friend, catching many mice in that great Hunting Ground where noble and brave cats go.
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and, of course, I thought of this song by Jackson Browne. We are all Dancers...........
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteLoved your Samhain tribute and out-pouring love to all who’ve guided you, protected you and breathed life and love all around you.
Thank you! XOXO Shari J.
This was such a healing experience to read about such great souls now dancing behind the veil. I think of you every day, my friend, lately, like friends who have passed I have experienced a loss of words. so I am going with trust. Trusting you know how close I keep you to my heart. Samhain Blessings...M
ReplyDeleteThis is a healing tribute. Thank you for all your work you do. I think of you everyday as I look up and see She who cries for the world. I love you... Samhain Blessings, M
ReplyDeleteBeautiful beautiful. Having lost my own brother recently, and so many other dear ones I have loved over the years, this is a wonderful way to see and hear about those you have mourned and remember with love, Lauren. I have heard you speak about them, but the photos make them so vivid.
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