One of my favorite theologians is Henri Nouwen. His writing is simplistic, but powerful. He brings you into his life and allows you to walk with him in his life through every possible emotion. You learn, cry, laugh, feel compassion, and grow with him in his and your own journey. The last few years have been hard for me and for my family. I have had to say good bye to over thirty friends, acquaintances and loved ones.
There are days I have wondered if I would ever stop grieving. I still wake up some mornings wishing my parents who transitioned in 2001 and 2005, my first two funerals, were still here. Sometimes I just want to pick up the phone and call them. There is not a day that I look at our prayer and meditation garden and do not think of my friend Laura who committed suicide about 18 months ago. She helped us move so much dirt into that garden and planted a butterfly bush, which stayed green in the snow when she passed over. Losing so many people the last few years has reminded me of my own mortality.
When I was pastoring, throughout the year we would pour libations. It was a way of keeping the memories of those have died alive in our memories and spirits. Henri Nouwen, in his book “Bread for the Journey,” wrote, “As we grow older we have more and more people to remember, people who have died before us. It is very important to remember those who have loved us and those we have loved. Remembering them means letting their spirits inspire us in our daily lives.”
So today, I am pouring libations for those who have gone before me, those who have loved me, those I have loved, and those whose spirit I was to inspire me
I pour libations for
Roslyn Jacobson
Avram Jacobson
Betty Jacobson
Norman Jacobson
Jean Kamin
Rose Lampkin
Bruce Lampkin
Laura Lynch
Dr Wally
Mr Mittens
Samantha
Ralph
Eve
Bo
Tig
Merlin
Alan Johnson
Alexandra Kogut
Daniel Dix
Collin Murray
And all those whose names are not in the forefront of my memory. I will pour libations for you as well as they are.
100% of our donations go to support our ability to provide low and no cost offerings to those seeking to grow and evolve spiritually.