Reflections on Friendship

[Cheri]

Hi - it's me again...
It's the beginning of a new solar year - welcome! Many make resolutions on this day but I like to reflect on the passing year and give thanks for the many blessings that came my way. Last year my one of my dearest friends passed into spirit. On the morning of her memorial service (Earth Day) I felt moved to sit down and write. I didn't know it at the time but her family was up in the Ramsey Canyon Mountain, in a beautiful meadow, spreading her ashes along with the ashes of her beloved pets. For some reason I feel the need to share this with you.


To discover someone else who feels, thinks, and believes as we do is a great privilege in this world. Though we may have been born into different cultures or generations, we know and recognize the features of our spiritual tribe by the likeness of our soul. When one soul meets another kindred soul, a great surge of energy rushes through the universe as an important connection is made.

What constitutes a good friend?
Someone whose intention is to accompany us on our journey through life, who blesses us by her quiet support, is tolerant of our failings, and helps us laugh,
Someone who says the right thing at the right time, who has the courage to stand up to protect everyone’s scared space among assumptions, gossip, and negativity,
Someone who knows the best gift for caring for her animals is not some trinket from the store but a thoughtfully selected piece of Manzanita wood from Ramsey Canyon for the garden,
Someone who encourages us to chase and catch our dreams and follow our life’s purpose,
Someone who loves us sincerely and when we veer off course serves as a very necessary reality check and bullshit detector,
Someone who mourns with us in our times of sadness.

After the death of a loved one, we no longer walk the earth the same way. Every daily action necessitates the painful realization of how different life will be from now on. Joy and sorrow ebb and flow like the flowers, the moon, the seasons. The gifts of joy and sorrow germinate moments of clarity, wisdom and appreciation that keep our lives on course. When we honor these gifts our passion for life blossoms and we can begin to heal and grow. The bond of friendship is neither shaken by time or distance. It endures beyond temporal boundaries in profound and beautiful ways.


Penny and I shared a love of gardening, the moon, chickens and dogs, the goddess in all of us, and just plain good friendship and laughter. I am so honored that I was able to provide homes for three of her beloved goats. The grandest blessing in my life was to have crossed and walked paths with this incredible being of spirit - thank you to the Source for teaching me what it means to live with a grateful heart.

There is a memorial for her on the grounds of the University of Arizona South - where she worked as Grounds Keeper. I created the design idea and a group of us worked/installed it. It was dedicated on her birthday. It was my honor to open the ceremony with a blessing I wrote the morning of the dedication. Pictures of the memorial and the blessing can be found at http://home.earthlink.net/~planthoe7/penny.htm

in everything give thanks -- thank you for reading this
blessings Cheri

[Linda A.]

Very beautifully written, thanks for sharing!

[Sandra]

Beautiful. I always enjoy reading your posts. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Sandra