For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
~ Kahlil Gibran, artist and poet.
The Unconquerable Soul
Rev. Berry Behr, Interfaith Minister
We’ve been grieving at Sunrise Ranch for the past week because Jericho Skye made his transition on a battlefield in Ukraine on September 4.
David Karchere spoke for all of us when he described Jericho as the most handsome man he’d ever met, and we all agreed that Jericho’s physical beauty reflected the pure gold of his nature. Jericho was always helpful, generous, kind, and protective—he loved animals, and he loved life.
I heard that the amount of grief experienced when a loved one passes is directly related to the amount of love they generated during their earth-time. Jericho generated a lot of love. Jericho’s brother, Gideon, arrived at Sunrise Ranch at the end of June, and their mom, sister, aunt and cousins joined us this past week to grieve and celebrate the life of the unconquerable soul we knew as Jericho. Meeting his family, we recognise a spirit of Grace, a loving open-heartedness that flows through each one, and we recognise the spirit of Jericho.
In this Western world, grief is not always honoured with the time or the space it deserves. Grief rituals are often limited and even discouraged. I deeply appreciate all the tears, laughter, memories, thoughts, experiences, and dreams shared over these precious days of emotional intimacy.
I am grateful for the safety of the Sunrise Ranch community, which has made that possible, and for the compassion of Alison and her family for the inclusive communion they have invited. I am aware that some of my own unresolved griefs found gentle sanctuary this week because love is everywhere, and love heals.
Once you meet someone, you can’t un-meet them. They become part of the tapestry of your life and are forever woven into the fabric of your story. When a thread ends, the task, going forward, is to build on the best of what that thread brought. Our tapestries represent every life we have ever touched. What we do matters. How we treat others makes a huge difference. How we treat our own thoughts, dreams, and passions is vitally important.
I pray that we will find the courage, as Jericho did, to “stand naked in the wind,” dance on the earth while we can, and melt into the sun with all our hearts when it is our turn to slip beyond away. And so, the unfettered soul returns to Oneness and is welcomed Home—we feel the breeze and the sunshine on our bodies, and we know they are with us always.
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world’s sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
Your words, Berry, are not only a fitting tribute to Jericho but also an inspiration to fill our own remaining years with the same qualities of character that Jericho so beautifully demonstrated.
Thank you Rev Berry, for your soothing and inspiring words, honouring Jericho, and through this experience, many others offering their lives in service, here in a battled world, yet sourced from an eternal power filled with golden Light and Love.
4 Responses
Thank you, Berry. Thank you Jericho, Thank you Kahlil. Thank you, God. Love, Tom
Your words, Berry, are not only a fitting tribute to Jericho but also an inspiration to fill our own remaining years with the same qualities of character that Jericho so beautifully demonstrated.
Thank you Rev Berry, for your soothing and inspiring words, honouring Jericho, and through this experience, many others offering their lives in service, here in a battled world, yet sourced from an eternal power filled with golden Light and Love.
Berry – thank you so much for the grace and beauty of your words. Jericho and his family are so deeply in our hearts – Forever!!!