Our hands were clasped round the clock since 8:30 A. M Tuesday morning until Shelley decided to "yield her place in the universe" at 1:38 A.M. last night. Following her death, Marie Claire, Ann, and I prepared her body, complete with shampoo, for a blessing ceremony. Just after sunrise, women friends came to our home for the blessing circle. For those of you who are interested, words shared are copy/pasted below.
When Shelley's obituary is complete, I will post its information on the blog. I am hoping that her service will either be this coming Friday or Saturday but need further conversations with others before that decision can be made.
************************************************************************************************
Sacred Water Ceremony
We have brought Sacred Water to this very Sacred blessing. This water came to Nancy and I from a ritual with Starhawk and a circle of Halifax women some 20 yrs ago. Starhawk and women from around the world had collected this water from sacred sites and from women’s circles and rituals, much like this one for Shelley this morning.
In the past 20 yrs we have shared this water at many gatherings including the baptism of both our girls which both Shelley and Diane celebrated with us.
Today we call upon the energy of these women and the rituals of days past to be present with us.
As we pass the bowl of water from one to the other, I would invite each of you to touch the water, to add your presence and the presence of any others you wish to be with us today.
As the Sacred Water returns to me, I will touch Shelley with the water that we may be present to her and she to us.
*************************************************************************************
A Blessing for Shelley Finson
February 3, 2008
The Blessing
We bless your head, Shelley and the amazing intellect that it held; a mind forever at work – learning French/the ins and outs of computers/the psychological and theological complexities of humanity. Thank you for the ways that you have influenced our lives by your beliefs, attitudes, and values. Thank you for sharing your hopes, dreams and faith. Thank you for that acute mind of yours that could see life with such perception drawing the admiration of so many.
Response: You will always be a part of our hearts. Be at peace.
We bless your eyes Shelley. We are grateful for what these eyes have seen that brought you joy and happiness: birds at your feeder; gardens in full bloom; women in touch with their own strength and possibilities; actions of solidarity; moments of justice and peace. We are thankful for the times when these penetrating eyes have seen truth and vision and holiness; and when they have looked upon us with love. May your eyes now behold the face of the Divine smiling in welcome.
Response: You will always be a part of our hearts. Be at peace.
We bless your ears Shelley. Thank you for the many times you have listened to us. Thank you for the times you have heard the cries of the women, children and men of the world; for hearing our questions and the challenges of family and friends. May the voice of the Divine speaking your name bring you comfort and peace.
Response: You will always be a part of our hearts. Be at peace.
We bless your nose Shelley. Thank you for your nose that delighted in the fragrance of a garden and a cup of tea and also had an incredible ability to sniff out injustices in our world.
Response: You will always be a part of our hearts. Be at peace.
We bless your mouth Shelley. We give thanks for your beautiful, distinct, powerful singing voice that crossed the lips of your mouth and for your wonderful smile that melted hearts. We give thanks for your words to us, filled with love, wisdom and humour. We give thanks for your mouth that sometimes surprised us and never hesitated to challenge us with a quick wit and amazing insight.
Response: You will always be a part of our hearts. Be at peace.
We bless your hands Shelley. Your hands have been a source of welcome and of help in countless ways. We offer our gratitude for all that these hands have done. We give thanks for your hands that delighted in making jam, playing Mexican train, pulling weeds in a garden; hands that symbolized your deeply held value of connection. May your hands now hold the hand of God.
Response: You will always be a part of our hearts. Be at peace.
We bless your feet Shelley. For 32 years, your feet took you running in every province in Canada, in England, the United States, France, South America, the Caribbean and elsewhere. You have stood and walked on your feet since your youth and they have taken you through many of life's ups and downs. Your feet were always willing to “walk the talk” and to stand in hard places. Your feet carried you to and through a rich and deeply meaningful life. May you walk with God in a place of peace and rest.
Response: You will always be a part of our hearts. Be at peace.
We bless your womb Shelley; your womb that symbolizes the many times you were midwife. Although you did not give actual physical birth, you guided many women and some men in their own rebirthing processes. We give thanks for the many times you accompanied others with your midwifery skills, your tenderness and your compassion.
Response: You will always be a part of our hearts. Be at peace.
We bless your heart Shelley. This heart has pulsed with life. It has given and received love. This heart has contained many emotional bonds with those gathered here. It has given you energy to live. We are grateful for your heart; a heart that was deeply passionate, compassionate, sometimes heavy but always determined to find life in the midst of all things. May your heart now become a part of the beating heart of She who gave you life.
Response: You will always be a part of our hearts. Be at peace.
We now extend our hands over you Shelley, gathering the love in our hearts and extending it to you as fully as possible. May our love and the love of She who created, sustained, and empowered you, surround you and fill you with peace.
Response: You will always be a part of our hearts. Be at peace.
of all love and life,
draw us closer to you and one another.
Embrace us that we might feel the blessing
of your presence,
holding us in steadfast love,
in all time and space.
Let our bodies be soothed and comforted,
through your gentle touch in one another's hand.
Let our spirits be one,
with you and one another,
comforted and at peace. So be it.
(Liturgy from unknown source adapted by Diane for Shelley)
10 comments:
What a beautiful end to an amazing journey... Shelley will be missed and long-remembered.
Bobbi
Our hearts go out to you, in this, your hour of need. I know that God has kept Shelly close her entire life, and even now draws her close for that wonderful reunion. I will miss her, as will we all.
Love and Blessings to everyone. We will miss her alot.. Hugs Jani
Thank you for allowing us to witness your precious journey. So many times I have felt both humbled and privileged to read your words and see your pictures during each stage. Thank you again - you have given us all an amazing gift for which we are eternally grateful.
Shelley, so much you have given to us, may God walk with you and protect you. Diane may God protect and comfort you at this time of great loss. My love goes with you both.
Love and blessing as you celebrate the love that sustained and nourished you and Shelley during your years together. May this love now hold you firm as you grieve the loss of Shelley-in-her-body. May Shelley-in-her-spirit show you her presence in ways large and small--in your morning cup of tea, birds at your feeder, women circling round to give you strength.
We who sang with you and Shelley at the Continent In Song and in the Laurentians are now singing Shelley home as we sing you peace, dear Diane. Thank you for sharing this final chapter with us in this blog. It has helped us feel connected.
Thank you for sharing the last parts of Shelley's life with us, Diane. It is a remarkably generous thing to do, and I pray that it has been helpful for you as you traveled these last few months together. Blessings on you in the days to come...
Rick
Diane:
This is my first time on the blog, can't think why - what a beautiful way to record a journey that was both wonderful and terrible for you both. I will always and forever remember Shelley for her voice - that warm, beautifully accented vocal gift that she used so wonderfully when speaking or reading scripture or singing at BUC. What a gift. I wish I could give you one tenth of the comfort you gave me last year; please know that I love you very much and my thoughts and prayers are yours. Matthew also sends his love. When I told him about Shelley, he wrapped his arms around me and buried his face and said "poor Diane". He loves you too. Come back to us soon - we miss you.
Love,
Cheryl
Bless you, Diane, for sharing this beautiful journey with us. I have been in Ottawa with Jessica these past few days so only checked the blog early this morning. Besides a profound sorrow that Shelley will no longer be with you in body, I felt a deep sense of peace as I walked about today in the sunshine. I send you my sincerest sympathy but I also celebrate the peace that Shelley has found and the wondrous life she lived. May your grief be softened by the many wonderful memories you have of your life together. God bless! - Mary Louise
Few people imprint the world with the gentleness, grace, and fierce compassion that Shelley embodied during her time on earth. I grieve with you and mourn her passing, and remember her with love. May the love she gave to the world be a blessing for all those who had the good fortune to know her.
Miriam
Post a Comment