Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Remembering Ted Kennedy


"Edward M. Kennedy — the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply — died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port. We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it's hard to imagine any of them without him." — Statement from the Kennedy family

The Associated Press has a list of highlights from remembrances of Sen. Kennedy from public figures.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

On burying my father

My dear, sweet father...

I'm grateful, even briefly, to have ridden the wake of his spirit's breeze.

His spirit was always larger than his true presence, which easily overtook - but could not function without - his mortal soul. Swimming in the infinite flow was the way he showed me, without words... with just kavanah, sacred intention, and action.

If he were not my father, I might have given myself over to him as my guru, my rebbbe, but for the crashing together of the worlds of fathers and sons, a generation and oceans of time apart.

Yet, even in the clash, those lessons too often penetrated slowly, and more than wanted, too late. So, in that, my friends, I advise you thus:

- Should your good fortune include a parent's old wisdom, imported to you anew, relish it. Step out of your relationship with them as a parent and just be with it;
- In your relationships to your own children, remember that who you are is more important than what you say. To paraphrase someone much greater than I, be the person you want your children to be...

for our own individual evolution is a byproduct of our existence, but what holy Humanity strives for never changes:
Love, Peace, and the ability to melt back into creation (whatever that is to you).

Now, having lost my father, and my brother, Mark - perhaps my father's greatest and most humble protoge - I find myself alone, in a space I never knew existed... the space where one person stands between me and life's fulfillment - me. I stand between the place where I am, and the man I strive to be.

I love you all,
Perry