Making It Your Own
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Lovely Half Moon at home some time ago.
Last weekend, I attended the most beautiful event. Friends gathered by twinkle and candlelight in Julie and Camee’s barn. Horse friends hung their heads over stall doors and Kelly, our dog friend, greeted and protected us through the evening. We had gathered there to celebrate the life of Half Moon, pictured above, and to welcome awareness of her spirit in the barn once more.
Half Moon had passed some weeks before of an ailment exceedingly rare and unexpected. She had died while being treated at Oregon State University, a whole county away, and many of her friends in the barn still appeared to await her return.
Julie and Camee had arranged the event with an intention to settle and soothe the herd, and to bring clarity that Half Moon would not return in body. In this gathering of family and friends, we would invite awareness of Half Moon’s spirit amongst us, always guiding and present in the shape of the land and in the thoughts of all beings. (Our ability to shape one another in thought, feeling, and physiology continues to fascinate me.)
By invitation, another member of the Joy Collective, Keith, had gathered a small choir to sing. After Julie shared the story of Half Moon’s journey, I led a meditation, and then Keith and the singers surrounded us with lullabies affirming love’s presence. We stood first around the fire, then made our way to each horse’s stall, where a new song would begin.
At the end, Camee and Julie uncovered steaming pots of lentil stew and coconut rice, uncorked bottles of wine, and sliced into a beautiful cake. We talked quietly about horses and our journeys with them through the evening.
I share this with you not only because I was touched by this event. I share it because I’m grateful for the way that Julie and Camee brought meaning and connection to this transition, harvesting its potential. In their practice of joyful mourning, Julie and Camee created an event that honored and brought healing to so many. And they co-created this with friends in the moment, recognizing possibility, gathering potential.
Where in your life do you create sacred space to celebrate and grieve? Are you in awe when you and/or others make use of such an opportunity?
A practice of joy expands the possibility for co-creation. There are partners ready in the Joy Collective. Sign up for the free workshop below to learn more!