A couple of you wrote about mom’s “journey” in your comments. Thought I would share something I wrote and spoke about to the English speaking guests who attended the funeral here in the States:
Thank you all for coming. Today we say farewell to our dear mother, Rose. But it really isn’t good-bye. Mom was a devout Buddhist. In the Buddhist view a person’s passing does not necessarily mark the end, but a turning point in one’s path. The closing of one chapter, the opening of a new one.
In travel there are many forms of transportation. Sometimes when we move from one point to another we need to change vehicles. We may travel to the airport by car, switch to an airplane, then to a car again. We need to make the switch when the circumstances call for a change in order to continue on the journey. We cannot simply sit in the car when we arrive at the airport and expect to reach our destination, can we?
Mom had reached such a point on her path that she needed to change vehicles for her journey. And we rejoice because we know it is like switching from a car to an airplane for her. She will be traveling so much faster. It maybe a little sad for us to see her fly away, just like saying good-bye to loved ones at the airport. But we know she will be very very happy at her next destination.
So, thank you all again for coming to join us in saying farewell to our mother, and to wish her best of luck on her continuing journey. May it be a most auspicious one, and may she attain true peace and happiness. That is every Buddhist’s ultimate goal.
Oh! I finished “knitting” the Four Corner Hat on our trip to the Bay Area. Not quite “done”. Still have to sew the top of the brim to the crown. I completed the crown months ago. But it was getting warm and I wanted to make something cool for Mom. So I got some cotton blend and knitted Shedir. I am so glad that she was able to wear that a few times.
The next post will be about our trip north. Honest!
You, Jason, have a wonderful understanding how how to speak truth in a manner that people can hear. Thank you.
Dear Jason,
What a beautiful way to express the journey we all are taking together! I like to think the trip continues with the ones we love still in our hearts. I’m glad she got to wear the hat a few times too. I love the colors in your three corner hat!
Jane
Eloquently conveyed, Jason. I can just imagine how wonderful your Shedir must have felt for her to wear.
I’m SO loving your three corner hat!
Thank you Jerry, Jane and Marianne.
By the way, the hat is a little too small for me. But I don’t think I can let it go.