postcards from paradise the art of remembering

 

 in our tradition,

people die three deaths.

the first death is when out bodies cease to function;

when our hearts no longer beat of their own accord.

when our gaze no longer has a depth or weight,

when the space we occupy slowly loses its meaning. 

the second death comes when the body is lowered into the ground,

returned to mother earth, out of sight.

the third death,

the most definitive death,

is when there is no one left alive to remember us.

 

victor landa

 

this memorial weekend

as we take time to do the sacred work of remembering

 may we be filled with the presence of all those 

now gone that once filled our days with love and comfort.

in our remembering may we be graced

with their courage, lessons, verve 

and reaffirm our place in the mystery of it all;

to live life fully,

straight from our hearts, boldly, with great unending passion,

and care for each other

one full day at a time.

 

 

"we seem far away

yet we are near as weeping

or the breath of God"

magical mystical teacher

 

"My memories are precious like the flowers of the field

they are more precious than silver or gold.

My dad called me his little 'bud', I loved this I felt so special!"

sue fox

finding my bliss

 

"When I was a 'boater' with my husband before he died rather young,

I always felt I was in 'paradise' out on the ocean.

There is nothing quite like it when you are at one with the sea and hardly any boats around.

Grateful I have those wonderful memories."

carol

a creative harbor

 

"We lost Grandma when I was eight years old,

but she has never left my mind.

I've always considered her my guardian angel. If you look closely, you can almost see her wings."

helen campbell

 

"Momma also has a story about making a pie.
She had all of the ingredients except for an egg. She went to the chicken coop
and sat and waited and waited for a chicken to lay an egg.
Then she finished her pie."

gemma

 

 

"She had tiaras in every room of the house

so she could wear one when she was doing laundry or cooking."

cheryl's excellent adventure 

 

They had five daughters and I am the "baby,

" age 74, and my mom always introduced me as "her baby,"

even when I was a married lady with kids myself. 

fran's sacred ordinary

"Later when I got home and unwrapped the flowers,

there tucked deep inside the flower stems were 3 dry pinto beans. 

a message from Tim.

I still have those beans. 

They are going on my ofrenda shrine."

gemma

gemmahouse 

 

 

 "His name was John and he loved to garden.

He taught me how to till the soil

plant seeds to grow tomatoes and strawberries.

He taught me about caterpillars and worms.

He taught me to love the taste of what I'd grown by eating them right off the plant."

cheryl

cheryl's excellent adventure 

 

 

"My father taught me to grow up without fear,

to grab the bull by the horns,

and get out there and live life to the fullest.

Often, when I least expect it,  I see and feel his hand holding mine..." 

adriana

la llorona studio

 

"Tonight I hope to have quiet time

in the living room to begin writing memories

of some of my family, friends and heroes and heroines

I admire who have passed on. Death does not end a relationship."

fran

redondowriter's sacred ordinary 

 

 

"We learn to live with loss by allowing ourselves to feel the pain and completely live in the present

moving on as best we can. So we will celebrate and remember

the happiness that we had, have, and share always."

gloria

viva la vida

 

today i am collecting snippets of remembering; 

each one a flower pressed with honor in the life of another.

i hope this will stir precious memories of those you love

and encourage you to share a memory 

for your comment...

more flowers on the altar of love.

 

i am honored to share that all our offerings of remembrance

have been published at

finally me

 

Comments

[Stephanie]

how beautiful, each and every memorial here. I am memorializing in living today...in painting the beauty of the hot white flame.

x..x

[Sue Fox]

My memories are precious like the flowers of the field they are more precious than silver or gold. My dad called me his little 'bud', I loved this I felt so special!
xoxox

[somepinkflowers]

''' to live life fully '''

i strive to ~live life fully~
each day,
now
finding my effort
has
become a sweet habit
somewhere
along my journey...

{{ i wonder when
that happened? }}

[gemma]

After reading this I went outside to bird-watcher Lee and cried. Thank you Rebecca for honoring my special memories.
love you.

[gayle]

This is such a special post Rebecca, so touching to read all these powerful memories and tributes written by people I have come to "know" and think of fondly through your blog. Sometimes I think it is the "third death" that we fear most of all.

[Carol (artmusedog)]

Rebecca ~ wonderful post ~ i had posted last night and had already included 'memories of boating with my husband and feeling I was in paradise when out on the ocean ~ To the memories of all 'our ancestors' ~ thanks, namaste, ^_^

[Cheryl's Excellent Adventure]

You honour me greatly wise woman. Sage of The Way.

[annie]

One of the reasons I like to visit old cemetaries is so I can visit the resting places of those who have long passed through the third door of death. We never know how long a soul needs prayers after the body has departed.

[Miss Robyn]

a friend of mine died recently - broke my heart.. and yesterday, I visited another friend who is elderly and frail.. I came home feeling loss and fear of change.. it stays with me today..
my post is not so much about this.. but an offering from my heart.. plus a little gift to someone who would like it. xoxo

[Miss Robyn]

ps - I had not heard of Memorial Day.. but my loved ones who have gone are never far from my heart. xoxo

[Meri @ Meri's Musings]

What an exquisite post!

[Grace]

This is beautiful and full of love and blessings ~ Thank you ~

[Magical Mystical Teacher]

Thank you for including me, Rebecca. I am honored, and I send blessings your way!

[Lenora]

Lucky 13! Oh my, this is 3rd time lucky! You saw my linky went to Haiky Fri and then my second went to an incorrect post 2011 but now i have it sorted - though not sure what went on on the other 2 - but now its mid evening - ahhh as long as it comes from the heart.

Memorial Day - we in Canada do this in Oct (all Hallows) and Nov Rememberance Day - so i love to have another opportunity here! Thx!

[noelle]

This is deeply moving, rebecca. I was listening to stories on NPR today of people's losses of men-in-arms. Some of the most poignant stories. These little narratives, sacred moments you have shared are so poignant, like small prayers or a gathering of St. Theresa's little flowers. Lovely. Thank you. I have posted something about loss as well, not personal but you will understand.
xoxo,
Noelle

[Lenora]

I am sorry for such a palada - the correct link is no 13 not 11 Thx.

This post moves me..

L

[Kimberly]

This has opened my heart and deepened my day... Spirit feels close, indeed. Thank you, Rebecca, as always.

[Lenora]

Thank you for taking the time, the thought, for guiding us all to look into our hearts, for taking us by the hand and pointing out the small miracles.

[sperlygirl]

what a powerful and beautiful post of remembrance

[Helen Campbell]

Your prose always moves me, Rebecca! What a wonderful remembrance you have created. Thank you for including my Grandma Rose.

[Karen Gerstenberger]

Thank you for all of the love in this posting. It is a true memorial gathering, and a gift.