Do I still exist? Yes – as far as I know…
‘…All of the remarks here are 14 years old, so I don’t know if you still exist… I was in effect asked that headline question today, via this morning’s comment on an archived blog post from July 2008. Rather apt, Saturn’s currently being opposite where he was when I set up Writing from the Twelfth House in May 2008. I do not know who Fhyre Phoenix is, but their question certainly jolted me. One, because I am the only other person who has ever asked me that question! ( …and not infrequently, to be honest: see answer above…). Two, because I was so moved by the life circumstances implied by the comment, and by the writer’s eloquence:
…I read this Toltec quote at my younger brother’s wake fifteen years go. It will be read again at my younger sister’s wake this summer. I intent to read it as a part of my tribute to each of my remaining four siblings at their wakes, or until it is me who is lain to rest. While a somber ritual, it is a reaffirmation to life that we will celebrate, and sing, and dance, and love, and all the rest of it, as the purpose of life it to live it, completely and beautifully. Yes, with memories; and with the dreams and celebrations, work and effort we need to put forth as we create the future as well…’ (Fhyre Phoenix)
Here is the conclusion to the post I wrote then, followed by the full post featuring that wonderful Aztec prayer. Fourteen years later, I feel just the same – in fact even more so, given the painful, divided, increasingly dangerous world in which we are currently living. It also makes me very happy to realise that the friendships I mentioned with such gratitude then, are still an important, sustaining part of my life as I grow older…the young folk mentioned then having grown, and still growing, into fine young adults. Truly, we are all on loan to each other, as the prayer reminds us. I hope you enjoy contemplating it:
‘…As I walked to my office, a passage about the richness and transience of life, and our connectedness with one another, floated into my mind and lodged there. It expresses beautifully and poignantly how I feel today. Aware of the rich weave of dark and light which is our life: very, very aware of the importance and also the underlying frailty of all our relationships. Truly, we are but on loan to each another, should cherish each other…’
Favourite Quotes: “On loan to each other” – an Aztec prayer
400 words ©Anne Whitaker 2008/2014
