Okay .. so this morning to celebrate the first week of back to school, we took the girls to John’s place (of course) .. we really rarely go anymore as its now twice the cost and three times the effort .. but it was a nice treat … yummy food and feels good to go J
SO .. we are paying the bill and a group of men come in for breakfast .. and one of them .. about 35-40 .. is the spitting image of your dad .. swear to God … I tell Jon and he confirms .. wow seriously looks like our good friend./mentor/elder Ron …. Brought tears to my eye .. I had to keep myself pinned together to stop from losing it.
Then in the car ride to school, I say just that ‘I had to keep myself from losing it” and the girls ask what I mean. I explain to them about the likeness of the man, about our friend (you), her dad and the coming anniversary of his passing. Then we have a rather candid conversation about your dad’s faith and about how of all the people to leave the earth early, he was the only one I know who could leave, knowing he was in good hands, about to meet his Creator .. that he passed with strong connections and faith…
Then I remembered that in the moment when your Dad was passing from this world into ‘what none of us really know” (Alora’s words) .. I was sitting in the center of the little foot labyrinth I made in the front yard, candles lit, praying for you, for your family and for your Dad while I braided the labyrinth grass .. HE passed while I was doing this… something I found out later and had to connect my time there with his passing … so powerful for me - something that because of the connections to 9-11 and now to your father has become what I do in the labyrinth.. I do not mow the grass.. but rather methodically and meditatively .. braid the energy of the walkers, the prayers into little bundles, which I then share with others … WOOW…
Your Dad holds my heart.. to this day. Your Father … my friend.
I send you light, and love and Joy .. knowing your father lived a good life and left behind goodness in you and all he touched.
With love
Shylene