So...What did ya do over the weekend?

[Alex P]

First my I offer my condolences(sp)

Originally Posted by wil

but we all show up for funerals....why is that?

We feel bound? We are like bind to a duty to have to go... That is how I feel anyway, such as my fathers funeral, it was clearly not my choice to go, just it feels like a duty to go..... With reunions and such I feel there is a more "i'll see um at their funueral" attitude....

[path_of_one]

Originally Posted by wil

a small percentage will show up for reunions, a few more for weddings, but we all show up for funerals....why is that?

My sympathies, Wil.

I think we all show up for funerals because of the finality. When everyone is alive and healthy, we think there is always more time. Next year, next year... we tell ourselves.

Until we realize all of a sudden there is no more next years with this person, and then we come together, to celebrate the life and face the finality of death.

Getting together last year for my grandfather's funeral was amazing- so many people spoke and it was very unifying. His memorial service at Crazy Horse was a more intimate gathering, but even more spectacular as we scattered his ashes to the wind and then went, in his honor, on the volks-march that occurs each year.

As for me and my weekend, I sketched and did some calligraphy and then took Josh in to the ER since he cut his hand fairly badly on a table saw. He's OK and we're hoping no nerve surgery will have to be done- we'll know by the end of the week. Injuries always put everything in perspective as the rest of life flies out the window and you're just grateful that this person is OK.

[wil]

Originally Posted by path_of_one

..His memorial service at Crazy Horse was a more intimate gathering, but even more spectacular as we scattered his ashes to the wind and then went, in his honor, on the volks-march that occurs each year....

That must have been amazing. I've just gotta take the kids outta school to got do volks-march, I've been watching that progress for decades and am sooo impressed. I'd love to get to the face so when my kids take their kids they'll be able to show them where it was when they came...

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

My condolences and a volunteer :kitty: each to you and your family on your loss, wil.

I had a private "celebration" of Memorial Day since my late father was a WWII vet (medic, European Theater) and a couple of visits from the police department due to noise from an upstairs neighbor.

Phyllis Sidhe Uaine

[path_of_one]

Originally Posted by wil

That must have been amazing. I've just gotta take the kids outta school to got do volks-march, I've been watching that progress for decades and am sooo impressed. I'd love to get to the face so when my kids take their kids they'll be able to show them where it was when they came...

It is really worth doing, Wil. It's an amazing monument and march, and they also have an excellent museum of Native American art and historical items, as well as the original studio and many of the sculptor's other works and furniture.

We met some of the sculptor's children who are carrying on the work, and they were wonderful, warm people. The sculptor and Crazy Horse were heroes of my grandfather.

The memorial was amazing. There were only four of us there for scattering his ashes, and it was very stormy. The wind picked up and when all was done, a huge double rainbow spread out in front of Crazy Horse (we scattered him from the top of the arm, which you can walk out on). It was truly spectacular and I felt like my grandpa was truly where he wanted to be. The van driver who took us up there for scattering the ashes was also wonderful and very kind. They were all around just lovely people.

[greymare]

ummm, pard;on my ignorance, whats volksmarch???

[Alex P]

German, means peoples walk. It's like slightly less than a half marathon.

[path_of_one]

Originally Posted by greymare

ummm, pard;on my ignorance, whats volksmarch???

At Crazy Horse, it's a long trek that tons of people (I think thousands) do together through the woods and then up the monument out to the arm of the monument.

[Ahanu]

Going to see a play in the form of dancing.

[Alex P]

Originally Posted by Ahanu

Going to see a play in the form of dancing.

That must be awesome lol.... What play?

[Ahanu]

Glad you asked. It is a play my little sister is in. Wanda's Gymnastics is the name of the place I usually take her on Monday's for practice. However, the older women in the play can do some insane dance moves. Actually, they look more like stunts to me. Some of it involves a ballarina type of dance; some have a hip-hop flavor. Of course, I like the hip-hop dances. Some of it is acted out.

[Alex P]

That is excellent! Sounds fun. Sure you will enjoy it. Bet your sister is going to be nervous though! :O

[greymare]

Originally Posted by path_of_one

At Crazy Horse, it's a long trek that tons of people (I think thousands) do together through the woods and then up the monument out to the arm of the monument.

pleading ignorance again..... ummmm why??

[greymare]

Originally Posted by Ahanu

Glad you asked. It is a play my little sister is in. Wanda's Gymnastics is the name of the place I usually take her on Monday's for practice. However, the older women in the play can do some insane dance moves. Actually, they look more like stunts to me. Some of it involves a ballarina type of dance; some have a hip-hop flavor. Of course, I like the hip-hop dances. Some of it is acted out.

oh ahanu, that sounds fantastic. Id love to see that. Wish her luck (break a leg) (thats a good thing, isnt it??) and have a great time. Seeing a live show is awsome, but seeing a family member in it....... is the best....

[path_of_one]

Originally Posted by greymare

pleading ignorance again..... ummmm why??

Probably means different things to different people. I honestly don't know if there is an "official" meaning. For me, it was a show of solidarity for indigenous cultures and their right to their lands, and to basically say "Yeah, history sucked." To honor the first nations... My grandpa was really into social justice and indigenous belief systems/cultures- it was what he identified with although he was white. This is why he wanted to be scattered at Crazy Horse.