Hi, everyone. Andree here. This is a photo of Erik at Lyric's birthday party in 2008.
Four years have gone by. They have brought sadness and consolation to each of us in whichever way we are built to bear and find them. Some of us carried it with particular sweetness and beauty - I'm looking at you, my sister Brynn - and some of us carried it with white-hot rage and desolation (well, actually, that was just me). Whomever we are, whatever we have felt and still feel, I found words this morning that I hope will lift your heart as they have lifted mine. They are from the holy poet Rumi, who built an entire earth and heaven from the exchange of love. Here is a selection from his "Ghazal #911," in which Rumi tells us that a grave is "only a curtain for the paradise behind," and continues,
. . . you'll only see me descending into a grave
now watch me rise
how can there be an end
when the sun sets or the moon goes down. . .
have you ever seen a seed fallen to earth
not rise with a new life
why should you doubt the rise
of a seed named human
have you ever seen a bucket lowered into a well
coming back empty
why lament for a soul when it can come back
like Joseph from the well
when for the last time you close your mouth
your words and soul
will belong to the world
of no place no time
* * *
And in that world, as Rumi knew well, there is lots of room for all of us, and time for many talks, many dances, many parties. I think of Erik charging around there, unstoppable. And I hope, and I work, toward becoming worthy of joining in.
This post is written with all the love at my command to all of you out there today.
