"Sad Day"

Today is a sad day. Someone on my friend's list posted that today is “a sad day” because we learned that a dear friend has passed away. Those left behind when death moves to take a soul are moved to tears. Grief and sadness over a loss is always equal to the greatness of the individual who has passed. The more tremendous, bright, happy and wonderful the individual was- the greater the feeling of pain in those left behind. I’ve been thinking about it all afternoon, this teeter-totter- the brighter the light, the darker the world feels without them. It reminded me of Maat. Her throne and scales are, in some cultures and beliefs, one of the first stops you make in the afterlife. Your soul is taken and your heart is placed upon her scales to be weighed against the weight of a feather. If your soul is heavy with dishonesty and evil, Anubis takes the heart and tosses it like a doggie treat to a monster, which then devours it. If the heart is light with love and truth, you may move forward into the afterlife. Maat teaches us mercy, as she has the final say- Anubis may wish to discard of the soul, but she will sometimes “weigh twice” the soul in peril. Her compassion and mercy may save a burdened heart from the mighty teeth of Am-mit, should she see some lightness; some savable spark within its core and because she is the essence of purity herself, her word is always trusted and her request, granted. She then rejoices in the release of the soul into the afterlife and the soul may further transcend. Our world needs more of her. Her compassion, her wisdom, her purity. We need to expect more of ourselves- more purity in thought and deed. More honesty and righteousness. There are few glimmering lights of joy in this world, those who allow the light to burn within them are furiously brilliant and their light shines deeply within those who know them. When their lights are removed from this world, those left behind mourn the loss- not only of the dearly departed, but the very lightness of their heart and soul. We crave that purity, that joy and that essence of lightness in those who live with honesty. Our grief is in direct response to the power of that light. Our sadness, anger and confusion stems from our sudden plunge into a darker world, one where our own lights seem dim by comparison to the one now gone from our sight. His light has been taken from this world, so he may move forward as a spiritual being. In truth, this is a joyous time! He has passed through that unknowable door into the next place… to see whatever there is to see on the other side. He now exists within that mysterious place that we can only guess to understand. Those left behind; we all must learn to burn as brightly as he did. We must not mourn the loss of his shining star- but use it as a sentinel to guide our own ships. His joy, passion and the many gifts he left us are all lessons we can learn and live by: Love unashamed, laugh with unleashed joy and sing. Above all, always sing. Blessed Be, Fred. Thank you for the lessons you have taught us and the love you so openly gave. You will be missed.