Earth Day 2021

 To Be A Tree

Let us honor our roots

Roots that nourish us

Roots that give us strength

Roots that build us

Roots that remind us from whence we came

 

Let our leaves take in the light

Seeking truth

Seeking compassion

Seeking justice

 

Let the great strength of our timber

Be flexible as winds change

Be present in the light and  the dark

Be giving when it is our turn to return to the earth

To feed the roots of future generations

                                 -HLC

Before and After Death

Shortly after Lizzy died, Aunt Vicki told me-   From now on, when ever you look back on memories everything in your life will be looked upon as either “before or After”  that moment.

 

 

As usual Aunt Vicki was right

 

 

As the days are getting longer and more signs of spring appear I find myself going back to the “Before” memories more and more.

It is a hard time of year.  

 

I still keep her little 2T shirt in my drawer- I take it out, unfold it, bury my face in it, trying to smell her, only to refold and slip it back in my drawer.

 

Death is part of the process.  It is difficult. There is so much I don’t understand.  

Yesterday I learned that a beautiful friend died unexpectedly in her sleep.  What is this thing that we call death?  A quiet passing in the night?  She was a genius, an engineer, beautiful, kind, courageous.

 

Answers, I have not.  So I simply go back to trying to love.  Trying to do a little better than yesterday.  Trying to be kind to myself and others.  Trying to be present, living, being, loving.

 

Good Friday everyone.