When the 2011 earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, I felt the radiation spewing into the pacific and thought “this is the death stroke for the earth.” But the earth will survive - everything we dig up and make is part of Her. We may make it uninhabitable for us, but She will spin on. Sostalgia, was it? Thanks for the word for the grief I felt. I am sorry for the loss you experienced at so many levels.
Oh, yes. We will plant something. It probably won't be until spring. It was good sitting out in the yard with it tonight and listening for the grief that is not just mine.
I remember the day you were offering healing work to a friend with small children. Back then the early Summer branches reached down to the grass, forming a private bower. She lay on a blanket with piles of pillows. Her children toddled around. Back then the neighbor was a deeply reverent old man who followed the Way of the Original People of this Land, Native Americans. No drama emanated from that neighbor, just occasional sage or American Spirit smoke.
It was before the ash borer beetle threatened this native Montana tree species.
I've seen the population of Earth double since I was born. I've watched the Natural Mind of Humans shrivel and numb, our attention mired in a narcissistic tar pit of shallow self-concern.
I'm lifted up by people young and old who are determined to restore Life to mined-out soils and ecosystems. To plant something new and nurture it to whatever maturity it may attain. Let's save some kindling from our Blessed Friend to send, with it's smoke, our Thanks and Dreams to the Mother of us All, Blessed GAIA.
A poignant and heart felt piece Justice. To feel into the gap of loss, a tree brings it inward, close to the heart. its reality is staring back a constant reminder of a loss. a grief. an indeterminant mind fuck. And all that light it's providing now due to its absence. And all the shadow removed. We are reminded of our mortality and life span. Perhaps in the gap a way finder will nurture a co-creative response to nourish the once aliveness into a reimagined version of artistically and naturally enhancing and providing light and shadow for a gesture of humanity. keep us posted to your way finding and may it's absence provide you with more love and wisdom within.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment! I dragged one of my trees onto my porch and covered the railing with plants for now to provide some shelter. The mums in the yard help, a nice pop of color. I recently felt some old guarded part being shed, but as soon as I named it, the process seemed to halt. Then this happened, and I feel so exposed. I'm feeling that I need to be more clear in my needs and requests, and that feels very vulnerable.
Our intimacy of being with ourself in times of floating emotions when we feel
Stripped . is . Can be. rapturous. Sometimes it’s not outwards but more it’s inward the gesture and bringing an old and worn quilt or shawl or pillows or literally shifting the position of our chair/view or a string of lights in a vase to ‘wrap ourselves in ‘is all we need to Be in our clarity ,simply put. ❤️🎼
When the 2011 earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, I felt the radiation spewing into the pacific and thought “this is the death stroke for the earth.” But the earth will survive - everything we dig up and make is part of Her. We may make it uninhabitable for us, but She will spin on. Sostalgia, was it? Thanks for the word for the grief I felt. I am sorry for the loss you experienced at so many levels.
I have felt moments like you described with the tsunami. Yes, solastalgia is a powerful word. It helps to give shape the depth of the loss.
It is sad to lose a friend whether it's a human, a pet or a tree. Perhaps you can plant another tree. With ceremony. And love. And community.
Oh, yes. We will plant something. It probably won't be until spring. It was good sitting out in the yard with it tonight and listening for the grief that is not just mine.
Marvelous article. I feel this. (This is Tim)
Thank you.
I remember the day you were offering healing work to a friend with small children. Back then the early Summer branches reached down to the grass, forming a private bower. She lay on a blanket with piles of pillows. Her children toddled around. Back then the neighbor was a deeply reverent old man who followed the Way of the Original People of this Land, Native Americans. No drama emanated from that neighbor, just occasional sage or American Spirit smoke.
It was before the ash borer beetle threatened this native Montana tree species.
I've seen the population of Earth double since I was born. I've watched the Natural Mind of Humans shrivel and numb, our attention mired in a narcissistic tar pit of shallow self-concern.
I'm lifted up by people young and old who are determined to restore Life to mined-out soils and ecosystems. To plant something new and nurture it to whatever maturity it may attain. Let's save some kindling from our Blessed Friend to send, with it's smoke, our Thanks and Dreams to the Mother of us All, Blessed GAIA.
A poignant and heart felt piece Justice. To feel into the gap of loss, a tree brings it inward, close to the heart. its reality is staring back a constant reminder of a loss. a grief. an indeterminant mind fuck. And all that light it's providing now due to its absence. And all the shadow removed. We are reminded of our mortality and life span. Perhaps in the gap a way finder will nurture a co-creative response to nourish the once aliveness into a reimagined version of artistically and naturally enhancing and providing light and shadow for a gesture of humanity. keep us posted to your way finding and may it's absence provide you with more love and wisdom within.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment! I dragged one of my trees onto my porch and covered the railing with plants for now to provide some shelter. The mums in the yard help, a nice pop of color. I recently felt some old guarded part being shed, but as soon as I named it, the process seemed to halt. Then this happened, and I feel so exposed. I'm feeling that I need to be more clear in my needs and requests, and that feels very vulnerable.
Our intimacy of being with ourself in times of floating emotions when we feel
Stripped . is . Can be. rapturous. Sometimes it’s not outwards but more it’s inward the gesture and bringing an old and worn quilt or shawl or pillows or literally shifting the position of our chair/view or a string of lights in a vase to ‘wrap ourselves in ‘is all we need to Be in our clarity ,simply put. ❤️🎼
Justice, this is so beautiful and it resonates well.