Grief Henna?

Posted by Lisa on October 09, 1999 at 07:14:10:

I would like to share an experience with all of you and I welcome
feedback. About a month ago I lost someone who was very dear to me,
an incredible individual. The third day (with tears streaming down
my face) I painted my hands in his memory, with trees and symbols
that pertained to him, his life, and my experiences with him. The
services were held in my hometown. At the wake several old friends
requested that I bring some henna for the gathering after the
service, which was to be held the following day. As Jeff was not an
ordinary person, his service was not an ordinary service. We held it
near his favorite river, and we gathered in the woods afterwards for
a fire (his 90 year old grandmother too, with her stories!) in his
memory. The girls who asked me to bring the henna had me paint
them. It was a nice gathering, as funerals usually bring, all ages
and flavors of folks. And suddenly a table was underneath my things,
and chairs were brought forth. And aroung 11:00 at night I finished
painting Jeff's sister. All afternoon and evening I had the blessed
opportunity to paint his friends and relatives. And many requested
me to paint things on their bodies in his memory. And many even
asked me to paint his name. I dearly hope that to everyone I painted
that day that the metaphoric representation of that henna as I
experienced it will occur. You see, I see the grief fading, although
not as rapidly as the henna, but in the same way. And I see the joy
and togetherness that the henna brought to us all that day, in so
much the same way as Jeffrey brought those things into our lives.
And it was all so cool. I wanted to share this with you. I am
certain that few funerals will ever call for such a glorius
opportunity for all, and I am so fortunate. Which was one of Jeff's
favorite things to say. :)

• Ananke

Follow-ups:

• Re: Grief Henna? CAtherine Cartwright Jones 04:43:23 10/13/99 (5)
  • Re: Grief Henna? Natasha Papousek 18:46:56 10/13/99 (4)
    • Re: Grief Henna? Catherine Cartwright Jones 21:14:48 10/13/99 (3)
      • Re: Grief Henna? Natasha Papousek 22:29:32 10/13/99 (2)
        • Re: Grief Henna? Catherine Cartwright Jones 03:02:41 10/14/99 (1)
          • Re: info sources Natasha papousek 16:17:49 10/14/99 (0)
• Took something difficult and made it a beautiful tribute MyST 22:24:25 10/11/99 (0)
• Re: Grief Henna? Sonia 22:40:01 10/10/99 (0)
• Thank you for sharing such a touching story. Shel 08:02:50 10/09/99 (1)
  • Re: Thank you for sharing such a touching story. Eve 14:12:41 10/09/99 (0)