To: K-list
Recieved: 1999/05/03 08:13
Subject: Re: [K-list] Remembering Rick Puravs (funeral)
From: Msshewolf
On 1999/05/03 08:13, Msshewolf posted thus to the K-list:
Hello again. I have returned from Michigan. I was there a week, staying with
his 87 year old mother. Surprisingly there was no one there helping her but
me. I took care of everything, including the food, and financial issues. It
did give me a lot to focus on, and it helped ground me.
You all were right that about the closure that comes from seeing and touching
his cold hard body. I was afraid I would hold in my memory an image that was
an altered depiction of him. Much to my surprise, he was beautiful, even
angelic appearing. I touched him over and over again. I even told him that
I never realized he was so handsome. I just can't describe it, how he
looked, but now I see that vision of him constantly in my mind. It makes me
feel peaceful.
Something amazing happened. Two days before the viewing, his mother had
bought a red rose to put in his hands. We got up and saw that the rose was
dead, head drooping...the entire rose wilted. Neither of us threw it out
before we went to bed. The next morning I heard Anna say, Cher, come
quickly! To both of our amazement, the rose was alive and thriving. We have
not given it any new water to this day. I called his mother last night and
it still lives! She said the leaves are starting to wither a bit but the
rose remains the same after ten days. This was uplifting for both of us, and
something beautiful we could share together.....his still being with us.
I asked if I could talk a little about him at the funeral, and it was
approved. Little did I know this has never happened before in the Latvian
funeral....it simply isn't done. I spoke about his spirituality, and how he
himself had a gentle spirit. I talked about his degree in cultural
anthropology and his dream to go to India. I told of his raising his (ex)
wife's three children selflessly as if they were his own. The most wonderful
thing was that I gave his children a voice. They wanted to be heard. I
asked each of them what they would like to say to the congregation, and I
said it in their own words. I ended it with revealing my own feelings of
loss and my undying love for him. After that, I felt that I was enveloped in
love given by the Latvian people. His children were all over me, telling me
how wonderful it was. Joseph said that when I spoke for him, it was very
dramatic. All three of them gravitated to me afterwards. It was beautiful
and very healing. The next day, Rick's mother and I went up to Rogers City
(upper part of the lower peninsula of Michigan) and the kids were happily
busying themselves with life. Joe was still a little shut down, but he had
gave me posters, books, and statues related to Buddhism, Hinduism, and other
spiritual references. Rick's library is so huge, and no one there wants
them. Since I was flying, I couldn't take more than Joe gave me (which was
the greatest gift of my life).
While there, his mother and I became closer and closer. When we were in
Rogers City we went to an attorney, went to the courthouse to learn about the
hearing for the Conservatorship, went to Joe's school to see if they could
aid us with some counseling for Joe (which he really needs...he still hasn't
gone back to school). They apparently have a wonderful counselor at the
school who works very well with trauma, loss, depression. Also they will
follow up on some things left undone. Rick's ex is not reliable for follow
through.
Oh, I forgot to tell you, Rick was a social worker at the Family Independence
Agency for the State of Michigan. They closed down the office to come to the
funeral. They told me that since he had met me he was happy and joined in
willingly with social activtities, and was much more animated. These
beautiful people all tried to tell me that I really did enhance his life. My
cup is full.
I received a note from Dharma stating a wish to set up a shrine on the
website for Rick. What a beautiful gesture. I do have pictures which I
would be happy to send to her to ditialize, with, of course, the stipulation
they would be safely returned to me. I have very few, and only one recent
print.
Thank you all for you loving support. In the face of what should have been
the most horrible experience of my life, there came beauty and love in
abundance. My cup runneth over.
Blessings Cher
DISCLAIMER!
Home | Archive Index | Search the archives | Subscribe
K. List FAQ | Kundalini FAQs | Signs and Symptoms | Awakening Experiences | K. list Polls | Member Essays | Meditations | List Topics | Art Gallery | Cybrary | Sitemap | Email the moderators.
symbol.