The Circle of Life

Today, I am writing not about Project Management but about the circle of life.  In the past six weeks, death has visited people who have been part of our family for many years.  Intellectually, I know that we are born to die.  But, it doesn’t make this any easier.  

In all spiritual paths, a door opens for the loved one who have passed on to the afterlife.  Whether you believe in heaven, nirvana, Valhalla or another sacred place, death is the first step on a new journey.  Just as birth was the first step on this journey. I find it reassuring to know that we have options when our time on this earth is done.

So for, Violet, Kathy, Lance, Dad, Bernice, Don, all those who passed before them and those of us who remember you, Mary Elizabeth Frye expresses what I think are your thoughts much better than I can.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow,

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain,

I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,

I am in the graceful rush of beautiful birds in circling flight,

I am the star shine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,

I am in a quiet room.

I am in the birds that sing,

I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there. I do not die.

Over time, the pain of the loss will fade but the memories will remain.  Thank you for the memories.  They will sustain us and give us back our sense of wonderment.

The golden nugget for today ‘remember them, talk about them and be courageous enough to share your memories with those closest to them.  It helps to talk about their life and contribution to the world.  It makes new memories’.  Aho.