Wilder Tribe

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Cycles of Life

As fall transforms to winter the rains are coming back. I’m struck again by how death and life are so linked; i see things dying back as the life giving rains are soaking the ground and running in rivulets on the road. I am celebrating that life, the beautiful rain settling in, the inward seeking in response to the cold. I want to walk in the rain and feel myself go deep inside while i breathe the wet cool air and smell the damp earth. As i transition from my city life and come back to my roots, i seek to feel my whole being swing into alignment with the earth. I desire my spirit to grow as big as Hers or maybe be subsumed into Her so that the upsets of change and death, the attachments that cause pain, the joy of renewal, hope and faith all become elements that are wrapped in harmonious rhythm. Learning to accept death, i am accepting life. As the winter descends i am not only accepting the rain, i am celebrating it and loving it. My spirit is dancing.

Natasha Moves On

Aunt Natasha brought so much love and understanding into our family

My brother Mark's life partner Natasha died on Tuesday, October 5. She lived a good 52 years despite doctors' prognosis that she didn't have much time left. They'd been telling her that for over half of the life she forged. I met Natasha when I was still in college. Our connections were too few and far between, but her influence on my life was strong nonetheless. Natasha redefined strength. Technically, Mark was her caregiver, addressing her personal needs around mobility and speech. But I always experienced it the other way around. Natasha took care of Mark in way that no one in our family could have. She coached him in life and living it every day. Thankfully, her strength is still with us. I came home from the funeral determined to focus on life. I read somewhere to live each day as if it were our last AND as if we would live forever. All those little thoughts in the back of my head like "I'd like to climb that hill someday" are pushed back up to the front. Now it's "Let's climb that hill!" Life is a gift each moment.

Our Friend Justin Passes Through

Have you ever watched someone tap into the power inside theirself and choose life? I watched Justin do that. A few of us were focusing on him while he was working on the part of himself that capitulates in the face of strong emotion and powerful people. He talked about some childhood experiences that were possible contributions to his learning to subvert his will to others. We encouraged him to say, "I am powerful". Then we encouraged him to say it like he meant it. He began to say it strong and clear and loud with a brightness to his eyes that told me he was feeling his life force and it was bringing him so much joy. He stood up, opened his chest and his voice rang as he continued to assert "I am powerful! I am POWERFUL!" He began jumping up and hitting his chest, as he asserted his power. Eventually running though the whole room and everyone there saw and celebrated his connection to his core. It was so beautiful. Justin was a beautiful person; kind, gentle, sweet and loving. He gave me a gift when he looked right in my eyes and said "I love you, kaseja". I replied "thank-you, Justin". In my heart i still say thank you Justin, for your love. For your courage in choosing to love yourself and be in touch with your life force. I feel i will know you in another realm someday, and that we will be able to love each other again.