4/17/2017 0 Comments And Then Death Came...My cell phone rang five minutes before a planned group call. Do I answer or let it go to voice mail? I thought and let it ring a second time. Then, without being aware of making a choice, I answered.
I hardly recognized the voice on the line. "Breath", I said. "Slow down." Again, words I could not understand. "Tell me again." And then with some degree of clarity I heard, "Keith is dead!" My daughter is on the phone telling me about her husband, my son-in-law. Even as I write this the feelings of that moment sweep over me. "What?", I ask. "Keith is dead!" And she broke down in tears and sobs. I had a scheduled a call with Keith every other Thursday. Today was to have been our call. I usually text him to confirm and today's text had gone unanswered. Must be busy I had concluded. We'll catch up next week. Now I knew there would not be a "next week" call. I first met Keith when he was a computer programer living in the Northern California Silicon Valley. Keith found me during one of my workshops into the Bay Area. He loved the world of the unseen, the power of energy healing and the concepts about the Spiritual worlds. He was a master in his career as a programmer. He had memories early in his life, eons ago memories of changing physical situations with a thought. He had often talked of that ability and wondered how he had lost the "gift". Once he and my daughter had resettled in the Pacific Northwest, he and I began serious mentoring and re-connecting with his Spiritual Gift was the focus of our calls. Disbelief, sorrow, and questions wafted through my mind during the drive to Jen's home. She met me at the door and because the coroner had not arrived, sheriff deputies stood at the doors to the kitchen where Keith had died. The activities of the next few days were all about supporting Jen as the routine considerations around the death of a loved one took precedent. I could stay focused on my belief that "we" do not die and while true, it misses the fact that when a lived ones steps out of the body, everything changes. The collective boat that has weathered life journey is now thrust into the rapids and one paddle is missing. There is no way that denying that loss is helpful. Like every bend along life's road, we do well to find a bench, grab a journal and sit awhile to ponder, evaluate, and appreciate before we chart the next phase with conscious choices. And so I contemplated. What had I missed? Had Keith spoken a word about not feeling well, asked for help in any way? No. Had there been a glimmer in this voice or presence or in my message system that warned of some sudden danger or death? No. Keith had had high blood pressure for all the years that I had known him. His autopsy showed 2 arteries 75-95% blocked and the third about 60% blocked. A blood clot moved through the circulatory system and the blockages stopped the clot and the heart. When I teach energy work, whether with clients or students, I emphasize the value of an integrated protocol. Such a healing program includes professionals and techniques for change in every body, Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual. Spiritual processes do not eliminate the support that Western medicine might bring nor does Western medicine remove the need for Spiritual processes. Creating an inclusive program for life changes creates wellness in the entire life force of the individual. Do not use Spiritual, metaphysical, energy concepts at the exclusion of medical protocol. Conversely, if you choose Western medicine as your primary approach include other processes they complement and enhance your goal of wellness. There are instances when an individual has intended to leave the body and so there is not Spiritual voices warning And so I contemplated. What had I missed? Had Keith spoken a word about not feeling well, asked for help in any way? No. Had there been a glimmer in this voice or presence or in my message system that warned of some sudden danger or death? No. Keith had had high blood pressure for all the years that I had known him. His autopsy showed 2 arteries 75-95% blocked and the third about 60% blocked. A blood clot moved through the circulatory system and the blockages stopped the clot and the heart. When I teach energy work, whether with clients or students, I emphasize the value of an integrated protocol. Such a healing program includes professionals and techniques for change in every body, Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual. Spiritual processes do not eliminate the support that Western medicine might bring nor does Western medicine remove the need for Spiritual processes. Creating an inclusive program for life changes creates wellness in the entire life force of the individual. Do not use Spiritual, metaphysical, energy concepts at the exclusion of medical protocol. Conversely, if you choose Western medicine as your primary approach include other processes they complement and enhance your goal of wellness. There are instances when an individual has intended to leave the body and so no spiritual voices warn, "there is a problem." Such was the case with Keith. Knowing that he had intended to leave life early, that "he" is not dead is all truths that informed us. AND, at end of the day, we had to face "what is". Keith had left his body and is making choices in that next home. We who will miss this large, loving man, will make our choices. We will learn to steady the boat for Jennifer, encourage her as she learns to guide the boat with one oar until she carves herself a new one. And we are wise to contemplate what our lives are about. What passions we are feeling. With what generosity and care are we helping row the boats within the collective we call family. Keith and I would not have another bi-monthly calls as we had hoped. However, because of what the death of my daughter, Carolyn, had taught me in 1997, I knew something else was about to open... Sending blessings of love and insight for you and your life! Sharon Riegie-
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It was a beautiful sunny fall day in 1995. I had published my first book, The Ancient Ones, The Mission Remembered. Now, I was on the first tour to promote the book. Since the July publication, I had been in Utah, the Bay Area of California, spent a week with my family on the Olympic Peninsula and was now introducing myself and book to the Seattle area.The day had been going well until I walked into the last bookstore. The owner was gone having forgotten our appointment. Nothing to do but head home. As I got back into my car, I thought about cold lemonade. A 40 minute drive home. Hot day, cool drink. Sounded good! As I went to pull out of my parking space, my Spiritual team said, "Why don't you go on home." I argued, " Cold lemonade would taste mighty good." Then the reply, "Traffic will be questionable if you wait." "Oh, but a lemonade would be a great treat." "You can get one once you're out of the city if you want." No pressure. Just a suggestion. I had learned to listen to those subtle "suggestions". So, I pulled onto the freeway and drove home. When I pulled to the curb, my 15 year old son and 11 year old granddaughter came running out of the front door to my car. That was a first! My thought was, "Wow, this is probably what a dad feels like when his kids rush him after work." I smiled. And then everything went sideways. "Carolyn's been in an accident!' they shouted. What? Carolyn? Carolyn, my youngest daughter, had stayed in Utah to finish at Weber State University when my son and I had moved to Washington state. Accident! How, What, questions whirled through my brain as we walked in three legged tandem into the house. My daughter Teresa pulled me in. "We have been trying to find you," she said. It was the world before cell phones. "Carolyn was in a car accident, hit by a semi and is in the hospital. We have tickets booked. David has packed you a suitcase and we were just getting ready to leave." It all came out in a rush and trickled down my spine. I dropped my books in my room, was rushed into the back seat as my son in law, daughter and 3 year old granddaughter drove to the SeaTac airport and a flight to Salt Lake City. Had I ignored or diminished the message, had I stopped for lemonade, I would have missed the flight. The journey with Carolyn and the 23 months before she felt complete with the earthily portion of her Soul journey is another story. What I want to share in this letter is an important truth I learned after Carolyn consciously left her body on July 20, 1997. Regular conversations with her in that new world of Spirit began on July 21, 1997 and we visited every morning for the rest of the year. We talked about her accident, our relationship and her experience in the new phase of life. I want to share a conversation that I had with her that informed what I chose with Keith's passing this year. Also, what I encouraged my family members and others to consider. This is from writings of a conversation with Carolyn about her accident and death experience. "I am a little sad tonight, missing all of you. I will be hovering with everyone tonight and tomorrow. I hope my presence helps rather than aggravates. I know it has really helped me to spend time with you. For some over here, “death” has meant instantaneous severing by their physical family....it is extremely difficult. "Even though the idea that the Soul never dies is fairly common, our culture has not taken the next step to education ourselves on the language needed to continue relationships beyond the void. Many who have made the transition we call "death", try to stay in touch. They call out, I’m alive, I’m alive, I’m alive! When those without a physical body suit move close to those they love, their loved one's energy field resonates to the Soul presence. There may be a feeling of coldness. And most usually it triggers memories from their times together. Instead of recognizing that the Soul presence is there to Love, Calm, Bless, the one in physical body is sent into great waves of grief and loss. "When this happens again and again, the Soul discovers that in order to stop painful memories and grief, it is best to stay farther away. That is the true loss for those on this side. "Treat this as if I am in a foreign country with only phone or mail access. When you think about me, quiet down and call me! I really need the calls from home, from family. The sadness you all feel will become empty. The calls would enrich both of our lives!" And I have been blessed with experience after experience of such conversations. So, when Keith passed, I encouraged anyone who would listen to set aside time to "talk" with him. The practice can be as simple as setting Sacred Space and quieting the mind. Then, asking one question and waiting with a pencil and notebook for the answer. It gives a beginning. The answer may come as words, symbols, feelings or even colors. It is through making the effort to begin and recording the conversations that the relationship can continue. And as you begin, be willing to reach out to ask for help. I hope that this idea helps your "boxed" limits drop away so the you might hear those subtle suggestions like, "Don't stop for lemonade." or "I'm alive and still with you!" Building a language that works for you creates the bridge between the worlds your loved ones may be traveling. Sending blessings of love and insight for you and your life! Sharon Riegie- |
Sharon Riegie
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