Returning

art by Julie Ericksen

September 2014: Where to begin? I’ve certainly been living a lot more nonviolence than I have been writing about here. I feel so grateful for the knowledge and understanding I have gained through my work and passion, which has deeply supported me through the most difficult year of my life.

October 24, 2013, my precious husband was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma brain tumor. June 27, 2014 he passed away after an exceedingly difficult and agonizing eight-month descent, requiring 24/7 care for the duration. His parents moved in with us to help and there was a revolving door of family members and friends who chose to cross the threshold, witness, and support in a myriad of ways. I’m guessing you can imagine how the work of nonviolence supported me during this time.

It is a paradox to say that it was a gift for me to have the opportunity to care for Jeff and contribute to his life in the way that I did. I’m guessing there is much life and living ahead of me, though in some ways I feel that my life is complete: I have birthed and nurtured my children to adulthood and laid my husband to rest.

Some words by Rumi are often in my heart:

“Although I may try to describe Love, when I experience it, I am speechless.”