As the Memorial Day weekend comes to a close here in the USA, I want to share with you the deepest experience I’ve had of the holiday so far.
I spent part of the day at the Taos Pueblo, which is a Native American reservation that oddly opens itself to the public each day as well as people still living there. There is even a church with an active congregation and services. This however makes me a bit sad, since I think that Christianity has been one of the worst things for my Native American ancestors, but I digress.
As I walked past a cemetery within the Pueblo, I became aware of the spirits of those who had been buried there. For a moment I thought of them in the life they had lived and died, but then I reminded myself that we must always look for the dead as they are now, not as they once were. That is how we connect with only their highest aspects. (And no, I don’t believe in hell.)
Making that shift in focus, I was overcome with so many emotions. Love, respect, support, humility, and appreciation for these people. But mostly I just felt connection to them. I felt that as I remembered them, they walked with me, blessing my every step.
And it was a truly magical day. Whether it was for that reason, I couldn’t tell you, but I had so many lovely encounters. One woman out of the blue started telling me about the death of her husband and son and how she came to peace with it. I have no idea why but I guess my centered presence made her feel comfortable enough to do it.
One of the residents of the Pueblo, who sold me apricot pie baked in a outdoor kiln like you see in the main photo for this post, was so touched by our simple interaction that as I departed her shop she ignored the customer who was trying to talk to her to keep yelling after me how she wanted me to have a great day, and evening, and life.
Now really, I said nothing unrelated to the pricing and purchase of a slice of pie, as well as of course thanking her and saying goodbye. But I could feel this connection with her that went so much deeper than the surface interaction. It was more a spirit to spirit interaction of profound love.
And I think this is how we truly memorialize the dead. We bring them into our lives. We love each other with the power of their love. We let them guide us as expressions of the love they now can fully be, so that we don’t have to wait to die before we can be it too.
A Little History for You
Did you know that the first Memorial Day was held by former slaves for Union soldiers who had died just before the end of the war? The union soldiers had been imprisoned in a race track under such horrible conditions that many died. So after the war, the freed slaves buried the Union soldiers in proper graves then held a parade, with children carrying flowers, circling the racetrack in remembrance of those who had died there for their freedom.
What if we made every day a day to remember those who have died? But appreciating them as they now are, and honoring them by living the freedom and love that they invite us to accept into our lives.
Happy Memorial Day, today and every day.
Here’s a photo I took at Taos Pueblo on Memorial Day. I had pie baked in one of these.
Here’s another picture from the Pueblo, this one of one of the buildings there...
Resteems always appreciated
So well said, @indigoocean. I love your writing and felt as if I were with you and your experience on Memorial Day connecting with the woman who sold you the pie and seeing, feeling the connection with her as you departed. You really captured the moment in words beautifully. I guess it's also because I seem to be in a hype empathetic mood these recent days.
Memorial Day was especially special for me too, as I've had several veteran best friends pass away recently, as well as the wife of another vet who is the mom to a close friend. So your words really resonate:
I agree 100%. In fact the closer of the friends, even though he was a good bit older, has inspired preliminary research into doing a two-folded ICO with some others in honor of him as one of the purposes. I really want to do a serious vision quest ritual about it all first to seek wisdom and guidance before really deciding.
I love the idea of doing a vision quest ritual to clarify the intention there. That will make it easier to involve him in the planning and evoke his blessings for the project. Good luck whatever you decide.
Thank you, my friend. It really resonates with my heart that way too and especially the way you clarify in your words reflected back to me too. Thank you again.
There is so much "Spirit" in the area where you now live. I fully believe you were called there. This simple post demonstrates that. Those that have passed are not so far away after all, are they? Glad you shared this with us. Blessings.
Wonderful perceptions of reality here! Its funny, we just visited Taos Pueblo for the first time a couple weeks ago. What an amazing place that is a complete time warp as you step into this community. I had the same feelings you expressed regarding the church. One you can tangibly feel as you step into the 'place of worship'. Agreed, it was this very church concept that threw the natives into oppression. Just as in many cultures around the world. We still have a lot of un-learning to do on that front but have a solid start on it. If only 2 shall awaken :c)
Much love, thanks for the great write up / sharing here. Very inspiring!
Glad to hear the post resonated with you. Thanks for your insightful comment. Great to meet you on here and I look forward to seeing some of your posts.
It is a beautiful place, it emits a lot of energy when you see the photos.
It’s wonderful how places can do that, isn’t it? Some places hold so much energy and we just have to pay attention to it.
Thank you for sharing your story. It sounds like a very beautiful day.
I think, whenever we take the time to center inside of ourselves, and "make a shift" as you said, to love, respect, support, and appreciation, we connect with the Divine energy in a way that allows the rest of the day to flow more easily and more enjoyable. It sounds like you did just that, and then the rest of the day brought you encounters and magical moments with so many people along your journey. It's so beautiful, the way the Universe works.
Thank you for sharing!! Looking forward to more of you posts!
So much yes! Nice to find you also.
Seems like you really enjoyed yourself and your surroundings of great people. I also love have you told the real origins of Memorial Day and how it came about ( most people don't know that truth).
I only recently learned that history. It brings the holiday into deeper meaning for me for sure.
Thank you for sharing, reading through your article never brought any memory until I got here
And late dad who died three years ago flashed through my memories again. A happy man who made every one around him to be happy. His love is a great one but he is gone. Most times I wish he present to make me laugh and hold his arms again. It's all well that he lived a happy life and it's turn to live mine, bearing in mind that people will only remember us based on the life, one is currently living out.
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