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

 

the month of october 

postcards from paradise dedicates each sunday to 

the art of remembering.

this has become one of the most touching and profound memes

i have ever had the honor of hosting.

 

we share our most personal memories of loved ones 

and their forever place in our hearts.

as we take time to do the sacred work of remembering

 we are filled with the presence of all those 

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

as each story is shared we are graced

with the courage, lessons, humor, wisdom and verve 

of all our legacies of love.

as in life now in memory

our loved ones serve us in our honoring,

reaffirming our place in the mystery of it all;

to live life fully,

straight from our hearts with great unending passion,

to boldly care for each other

one full day at a time.

today i am sharing gorgeous snippets from last years offerings

to reawaken your tender memories and begin collecting them for our 

sundays in october.

 

 

 

"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

 

each offering a flower

pressed with honor in the life of another.

i hope you will join in

the art of remembering

each sunday in october for one of years most profound 

memes of sharing

as we place our flowers on the altar of love.

 

 

 

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Comments

[deb taylor]

Oh Rebecca,

this is such a beautiful Meme.
A lovely tribute to those gone before us.
I will be here.
Remembering.

[Ana]

Rebecca, thank you so much for inviting me for this beautiful act of love. I sure will participate... when I read your comment, it actually brought tears to my eyes. I don't know why, but in my heart it felt right and powerful.

[Magical Mystical Teacher]

Remembering is such human work, and divine as well.

[Sue Fox]

I had almost forgotten about this, what a year! But hey will get my thinking cap on for October, not to miss this act of remembrance, honouring our traditions! x

[gemma]

As Magical Mystical Teachersaid remembering is human as well as Divine. Rebecca Thank you for honoring our memories they are sacred. LOVE you xxx

[Cheryl's Excellent Adventure]

This is so special to me. I can hardly wait to begin.

[Stephanie]

What a beautiful collection of heartfelt expression.

I feel blessed to have my art to express my grief with my fathers passing...to carry him with me in those sudden moments of remembrance.

x..x

[Carol]

Rebecca ~ time difference from Ma to there has caused tardiness for me ~ Definitely want to participate in October ~ Thanks for including my memories on this post ~ it is divine to read what others have said ~ Very special group ~ thanks to you ~ namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor)
Thanks for 'coming by' and reminding me ~ ^_^ and your lovely comments on my post ~ ^_^

[Tracy]

This is such a special, gentle offering, Rebecca... so beautiful, I'm almost speechless for tears. ((HUGS))

[Helen Campbell]

Beautiful, Rebecca! It's good to remember, especially this week as we travel to my Uncle's memorial service. Thank you for including my memories of Grandma Rose.

[gloria]

Hi Rebecca, I've added my link and will try very hard to do all Sundays. Beautiful post as always.