Here is a piece I wrote after returning from a retreat in Northern Ontario.
Here's to the Spirits!!
Matthew is 33 years old and suffers from ALS. He has two brothers Sean and Adam, Sean is the eldest and Adam the youngest. Matthew began a journey a year or so ago that would assist him in recognizing what it meant to live with the eventuality of death and what part his spirituality would play.
His body slowly wastes away as his mind stands on the side lines watching in expectation for the inevitable, the fear we all may share.
It was his dream that his brothers would join him for a retreat up north for 2 days to explore their inner selves and release some of the barriers that the sadness of their brother's inevitable death had created between them. So up they went accompanied by Matthew's "spiritual advisor" to the land of bare necessity, no phones, electricity.. Nothing.
It should be noted that although native beliefs have played a part in this Author's life, the brothers weren't sure what to expect as they shared anecdotes supplied such great youtube episodes "Double rainbow" and "Hippies Crying because of Dead Tree"
They arrived on the "land" Friday night, set up camp and prepared for the weekend's journey. Saturday morning was met with fresh berries, granola and a quick preview of the days events which included preparation of a Cherokee prayer circle where offerings of fire, tobacco, lavender, and other sweet earthen goods would be made. There really is no other way to get in touch with one's self than to dance and chant around a giant fire in 32 degree weather for 3 hours in high sun!
There was story telling, singing and dancing, and moments of inner reflection as nature surrounded the boys with visits from vultures, hawks, insects, earth pedaling fur balls and flowers of all shapes and sizes, maybe it was the heat stroke setting in but everything was vivid and their thoughts pure.
The 24 hours of hippiedom was accompanied by a swim in a mirrored lake that had Sean and Adam plunging their heads under the velvet water and Matthew taking to the shore as his advisor brought the lake to him in a bucket to be poured over his body. A feast fit for a somewhat middle class hippie was to follow. With plenty of wine and candle light flickering, the days stories took the stage as they laughed and told stories of days gone by.
The sun began to rest closing the day's chapter and off to the brookside camp they went.
It's a challenge to include all of the wonderful moments that occurred during their trip both introspectively and as a whole, but they did learn to take time, look around, pause for reflection, and stay far away from any fungus that doesn't come in a plastic bag!!!
Here’s to the Spirits of the three brothers.
