I met Glenn Sunich at the first talking circle I joined about a month ago. It's raining cleanly--the kind that cools and freshens the air--with full sunshine outside just as I begin to write this.
Glenn was generous with his presence, even if he was on the phone away from us during the majority of the talking circle--the person on the other end was someone he supported on and off for 3 years who had considered suicide. He was working through his own challenges, and he offered his support, encouraging me to know I could call at any time to talk or ask for help as well. Before we left, he taught me a native left-handed hand shake and explained its significance. I walked away comforted knowing someone's willing and available to talk to me if needed and was equally grateful that someone would openly share his way of greeting me as if I were a member among his tribe.
Today, a few weeks later, I returned to the talking circle and learned from another member of the circle who briefly mentioned that he recently passed on.
Glenn's generosity and presence is rare and will be missed. At the time, I came to the talking circles wondering what to do about my tendency to stop caring about my lifespan--more accurately, trying to figure out why I'd want to do more than get by with caring for myself at a minimum.
I knew I needed to make it to the next day and live in the near-term, and I knew the way I lived wouldn't help in the long-run. My suspicion was that there might be a time when others might seek help and I'd be capable of doing so if I'm still around.
Even from briefly meeting Glenn and his offer to help, I now have a clear understanding for why from the other side of life.
As the rainfall slows to a silence, I imagine being present with this is an appropriate way to honor his passing. Life is fleeting, the consequential legacies of a life endure.
Glenn was generous with his presence, even if he was on the phone away from us during the majority of the talking circle--the person on the other end was someone he supported on and off for 3 years who had considered suicide. He was working through his own challenges, and he offered his support, encouraging me to know I could call at any time to talk or ask for help as well. Before we left, he taught me a native left-handed hand shake and explained its significance. I walked away comforted knowing someone's willing and available to talk to me if needed and was equally grateful that someone would openly share his way of greeting me as if I were a member among his tribe.
Today, a few weeks later, I returned to the talking circle and learned from another member of the circle who briefly mentioned that he recently passed on.
Glenn's generosity and presence is rare and will be missed. At the time, I came to the talking circles wondering what to do about my tendency to stop caring about my lifespan--more accurately, trying to figure out why I'd want to do more than get by with caring for myself at a minimum.
I knew I needed to make it to the next day and live in the near-term, and I knew the way I lived wouldn't help in the long-run. My suspicion was that there might be a time when others might seek help and I'd be capable of doing so if I'm still around.
Even from briefly meeting Glenn and his offer to help, I now have a clear understanding for why from the other side of life.
As the rainfall slows to a silence, I imagine being present with this is an appropriate way to honor his passing. Life is fleeting, the consequential legacies of a life endure.
No comments:
Post a Comment