farewells

oh all the money, that e'er I had
I spent it in good company

and all the harm that e'er I done
alas it was to none but me

and all I've done for want of it
to memory now I can't recall

so fill to me the parting glass
goodnight, and joy be with you all

oh all the comrades that e'er I had
are sorry for my going away

and all the sweethearts that e'er I had
they'd wish me one more day to stay

but since it falls unto my lot
that I should rise and you should not

I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
goodnight and joy be with you all



These two weeks in Boston are late winter and early spring enmeshed in a harmonious overlay of opposites. There are great sorrows sketched with fine outlines of joy; I'm staying very still and waiting, watching for these lines to appear, just a moment. Less present than the shooting star -- it's the trail burned softly into the sky that I'm after. I've trained my whole life to have eyes that could see that moment.

Today we say farewell, together with sisters and lovers and friends, to a dear person. We all knew her in different ways and in beautiful settings. She graced each one of us with her infectious smile and boundless courage. We hold her in our hearts, as we were held and are still held in hers.

Last night I returned to campus to rehearse music for today's service. It was a homecoming for me; accompanied by laughter and hugging. Girls gathered around the piano, listening and focusing. We practiced the song, whose lyrics I typed above, and I told them about the touching way my Russian friends say goodbye. It's saved for when someone is going far away, or on a long journey, perhaps with uncertainty about when you'll see them again. You pack up your things, load up the car, and then return back inside the house and sit down at the table. You take a moment together, sitting in silence. Then someone looks up or clears their throat; the moment has passed. You get up, hug once more perhaps, and go on your way.

This little song, "The Parting Glass", for me, creates this kind of moment. We'll sing it to close the memorial service today, to wish all those in attendance to leave with peace, and a hope for joy. It's a moment for them to sit in silence, not necessarily thinking about anything, but allowing the moment to be filled with loving memories naturally, on its own. And then, we can all take our farewell.

peace & love