Linda Weber started us off with a beautiful Hebrew chant David used to request her to lead.
She and her partner Emily were kind enough to host me in their home before and after the solo time I spent on the land before the memorial. She is also a quest leader and therapist who was my midwife in setting the intention for my journey, holding a line to my process before, during and after the journey, and offering much reflection steeped in a 25 year connection with David.
All together the circle filled to 40 people after I got this shot. Boulder memorial planners, (Russ and Diane Hullet, Laurie Adato, Martha Fisher, Sue Allman, Talia Spencer and Linda Weber) welcomed people to come a half hour early to chant first.
We had the one and only day of cold, wet rain. Most people thought it was perfect and appropriate given that so many did "quests" with David in the cold and wet before he took things indoors and called them "retreats/workshops"... sweet jokes about how with age comes comforts...
The weather made things intense and intimate, deep and passionate as each person needed to stand and project their voice to power our volume over the loud rain-on-tarp background. Two gazebo tents held a potluck of great food offerings and the other, tables covered with photos and some of David's creative offerings we enjoyed after the ceremony.
I know some people got a photo of me I will add when it comes in... this 4th David memorial was emotional and very different for me. The ability to attend and not facilitate or event-plan gave me the opportunity to drop in and feel the actual emotions of a memorial, deepened by the fact that the connections in Boulder are so long-lived and span so many layers of David's depths Ive only heard about and seen the effects of. A real treat... the memorial itself, the solo, but also the two cabin over-nights, the "let down" of shared meals, dirty dishes and late late night talks... my exhale... finally, the other side of something big
Russ and Diane welcomed the memorial on their newly adopted land, purchased from Ginny. David and Ginny guided several groups and quests on this dear land in Allenspark outside of Boulder. Russ has known David over 20 years since teen-hood. Such good, good people...
Flower mandala by Anandala, Sue and Scott's garden, Shoshanna Seligman and David Nicol
Diane welcoming us, sincerely, open heartedly
Jack Zellner, friend of David since 70's
Sue Seecof reading Ginny's eulogy written for Yosemite memorial, we all loved so much (see earlier post for copy, click HERE). A handful of key people read sections for all to enjoy
Brenda Zelner, Jack's wife. Logan Kline long time friend and gifted body worker/healer helped David this spring
...Earth angel takin' it all in...
Coincidentally, also a midwifery school graduate sister from same trade school I attended, just one year subsequent...
Aaron and Chaaya. Aaron said he went on quests trips and, oh darn, too young at 10 yrs old to go out on solo by him self... "had to" stay at base camp and tend fire, hang out with David instead. His description: click HERE
BJ and Talia... beaming love. Talia's work is in hospice. She held me this spring thru the deep release layers. More midwifery... more gratitude. Visit BJ's experience of the memorial HERE.
Fun around the campfire with Susie. Chaaya and Valerie's son, Juaquin
Shoshanna and Laurie... is that a bucket o' chicken?
(both have also known David over 20 years)
"... oh...sorry... was this stick pile significant ?..."
Date: September 15, 2009
ReplyDeleteTo: ananda@jeffnet.org
Dear Ananda, I very much enjoyed meeting and hanging with you.( felt a kindred spirit) Their was comfort and a kind of heart wrenching feeling in being with Davids people, some I haven't seen in so long. I am still so deeply sad and tearful. Keeping open and watchful as I know so much is being given now. Dreams and valuable memorys from the past. Just trying to be present with it all. So many tears.
Hope that our paths cross again.
You have a friend here
Anonymous
Ananda, Such lovely memories floating through my head of your visit with us and all that transpired. The memorial was the sweetest it could have been, drawing together an impressive and diverse group. Everyone held and was held by the circle in ways that served the needs of each and every being and the whole. It seemed like the rain and cold conspired to create a container of rapt attention and careful listening. I still marvel that it ended "on time."
ReplyDeleteI will try not to let too much time go by before we see each other again.
much love and love to your mom,
Linda Weber, M.A.
psychotherapist and vision quest guide
Boulder, CO