Words from Pep
Rolled steel, humility and love
My boot’s sole drove hard against the rolled edge of steel. Leveraging the handle I broke loose the sod, pushing it over, exposing damp humus to the sun. I was disrupting the lives of thousands and they fled desperately from my sight. Forcing the spade again into the dirt I lifted it to the side. A message of terror was being spread in the earth below me, “The end of the world is upon us.” I honor all life. And so, hoping, praying for as little death as possible I hesitantly continued my task. Life, the highest expression of an expanding universe. We seek it beyond our blue orb driven by wonder if we are alone in the reaches of space. Alone in eternity. Yet, here beneath my feet was the miracle of multitudes of beings. Amazing creatures like you and I, brought into being by the wondrous work of the Great Mystery. A mystery to which we have ascribed many names, Eternal Mind, Jehovah, God, Brahma, Allah, the Beginning and the End, Gichi Manidoo, Father. Names expressing awe, meant to leave us humble but in love. This mystery in many beings, this myriad of forms expressed in levels of consciousness only the Creator understands, is precious beyond measure. Each form and individual a beautiful revelation flowing from the infinite Divine, conveying a manifestation of the heart of God. It was here between white pine and oak that I had decided to return the body of my friend to the earth, to allow the physical elements of his expression to be reunited with their source. He was a four-legged, given to chasing down ducks and pheasants, riding in the passenger seat and frequently offering curled lips and a snarl to strangers. He had passed on in the night while sleeping by my bed. I helped him go, resting my hands on his side and head, looking into his eyes as the fire left. I wrapped him in his blanket and waited for daybreak. It took only 20 minutes and a spot in the lap of our Mother had been dug. I lifted him into the grave. Tears and memories uniting with each shovel of earth gently resting on his body. With the passing of years, five friends now lay together in the earth. It is always the same; the mystery of what lies beyond, the inability to grasp life’s brevity, hope and love for the preciousness of life in all its forms. These questions, emotions, flow from the aura of my heart and overshadow my mind. Thanking Creator for the gift and experience of his life, I breathe deep to re-gather my being. I offer tobacco, bow my head and turn toward home. One thing and one thing only do I know as I leave his resting place brokenhearted with spade in hand – humility and love are my close companions.
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ONE WORLD – ONE FAMILY OF MAN – ONE CREATOR OF ALL
