A Good Life.
This photo originally uploaded here.
In memory of Auntie May (my grandmother's sister) who passed away early yesterday morning, aged 94. Thank you for your smiling face, gentleness and kindness, for always asking for me, being interested in me, following up on me, being proud of me and knowing about me in whatever ways you did. Thank you for the special gift you gave me some years ago, which I still have and will always have.
Yesterday, driving home from somewhere, the thought came to me: "She lived a good life." Then when Aunty J & Uncle A came in last night from Tobago, Uncle A said the same words: "She lived a good life."
Will that be said that about me (you) when I (you) die? Can it be said about me (you) now that I (you) am (are) alive? What does it really mean to 'live a good life'? Am I? Are you? Are we?
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Elspeth
posted by Elspeth at Friday, June 09, 2006
5 Comments:
Condolences for your loss - she sounds like a sweet woman and she was clearly very proud of you (for good reason!).
I think a good life is one lived fully, without regrets. I don't measure success by money or diamonds, but by strength of character, compassion and love.
My life is full of love and joy - both giving and receiving it. In my view, this is a good life.
She's on to new things. You honour her by remembering her well. I know that she will take with her memories of you also. Even though I cannot recall or speak their names with the mind and voice of this time, I feel in my being, the vibrations of my encounters with the ancestors and other spirits who helped to bring me to where I am today. Happy trails, May!
Eternal joy, grant unto her.
When you were saying that your great aunt lived a good life, what did YOU mean by this? Kaivalya looks to the presence of love and joy. Some other people might count their achievements in terms of tangible things amassed, money, property, number of children, cattle, gold chains. I think, if you don't know now like Kaivalya, you will certainly know at the end of your life and the revelation is what will make your death a happy or a bitter one. You can take all the love and joy with you as you move on and that is what puts the smile on your face as you exit. But I think that those who attach themselves too closely to things and earth bound ambitions might be very bitter about having to leave it all behind. You can also take anger and bitterness and remorse with you but it is heavy baggage that makes the departure a difficult one.
This is my belief, that your dear relative has already felt this in her new life:
Good morning, Sunshine.
The day is open ...
Anonymous, when I said she lived a good life, I meant that she loved her family, her children, grandchildren, etc. and was always surrounded by them, enjoying life with them - and this was perhaps the most important thing to her. There's more to it, but I think this was her highpoint of life. Personally I think a good life is lived with love, a sense of purpose and the experience of forming as deep a connection as possible with yourself, loved ones and God (whatever that means to each individual). For me, the 'realisation' of those things ebbs and flows or is experienced on different levels and in different ways. Following one's heart and having the courage to do so (whatever that means to each individual) is also important in living 'a good life' - as are simplicity and acceptance of who and where you are at any given time (i.e. not fighting life). I think the process of life is the coming to know (more) of these things through our experiences. I also agree with what Kaivalya said. And I agree with what you said about those who are too attached to earthly possessions (or anything for that matter). I think when we 'go', even the love and joy we had here is released (because that final freedom from our bodies must be so much greater than the earthly sensations, memories and knowledge of anything else)... but in the actual process of our transition, Love must be the lubricant that makes that passing smoother. Glasshermitage, I didn't even connect those two dots, but it's most likely true. And Guanaguanare, yes, many ancestors that we can't even name have paved roads for us.
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