In the midst of our grieving for Alison, our dear sweet Teagan celebrated her 2nd year on earth. Last year for Teagan's birthday we invited friends to help plant a tree for Teagan. And Alison lead the naming ceremony. I asked each of our friends to bring a poem in honor of Teagan. It was one year ago, on a Saturday afternoon that Alison stood before us a read the following poem for Teagan. And this year on Memorial Day weekend, I read the poem to those several hundreds gathered for the service honoring Alison.
The poem is fitting for birth, for birthdays, for death. In some ways they are all nearly the same. A passing of time, a beginning, or an ending, a returning to what gives us life in the first place. Teagan's 2nd birthday reminds us, the joy does not end with the death, and life, somehow, continues forth. Happy Birthday Teagan.
INSTRUCTIONS by Neil Gaiman (Excerpt of)
Remember your name.
Do not lose hope — what you seek will be found.
Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helped
to help you in their turn.
Trust dreams.
Trust your heart, and trust your story.
When you come back, return the way you came.
Favors will be returned, debts will be repaid.
Do not forget your manners.
Do not look back.
Ride the wise eagle (you shall not fall).
Ride the silver fish (you will not drown).
Ride the grey wolf (hold tightly to his fur).
There is a worm at the heart of the tower; that is
why it will not stand.
When you reach the little house, the place your
journey started,
you will recognize it, although it will seem
much smaller than you remember.
Walk up the path, and through the garden gate
you never saw before but once.
And then go home. Or make a home.
And rest.
