|
| Lopez Island | Orcas Island | Visitor's Guide |
            
        
|
|
DAVID BENTLEY'S WEEKLY COLUMN |
|
Email this page to a friend Previous
|
|
REMEMBERING THOSE WHO HAVE DIED
Here we are in Los Dìas de los Muertos, or The Days of the Dead. All Hallow's Even is followed by All Saints' Day which is followed by All Soul's Day. So in the "spirit" of the season, I participated in a community labyrinth walk that was held in memory of all who have died -- both the known and the unknown. On a wet, chilly, blustery evening we gathered in a huddle before starting the walk. We carefully helped one another light candles that were protected from the wind by plastic cups slipped over them. Each of us then took several moments to gather our thoughts and allow space between us before entering the labyrinth one by one. Soon the wind blew out the flame on one woman's candle. Using a luminary along the path, she relit her candle and continued walking. Another woman borrowed a flame from someone in the path next to hers. Shortly, however, both women's candles were extinguished again, and they made no effort to relight them. It wasn't long until most of us were walking with unlit candles. At the center of the labyrinth, where people pause to reflect, extinguished candles were rekindled from the surviving flames. As we continued our individual treks back to the entrance, most of the flames were again extinguished by the wind. Even the two flames that survived the trip to the center did not make it back to the entrance. Walking this symbolic path of life, we could not always protect our candles' flames. Sometimes we were successful in relighting the candles; but they were usually extinguished again, no matter what measures we took to protect them. In the end, we were left with unlit candles and the memories of the flames they had once produced. What a fitting experience in this season of remembering those who have died before us!
© 2004 David Bentley David Bentley, M.Ed. & Personal Coach, coaches clients through the game of life, helping them find balance, clarity of direction, and purpose in an ever-changing world. You may contact him at 360.378.8436 by e-mail at david@coachbentley.com or visit his Web site: www.coachbentley.com |
|
|
SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2010 About Us | Advertising Info | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
|
|
