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Sunbear Memorial
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Sunbear's Memorial in VT. was majical. It was a bright, warm & sunny day. The conch was blown in 6 directions. Several of Sunbears posessions were place in the center of the circle. His seat, some books, photos, etc. other folks added things significant to them honoring Sunbear.
Before the memorial procession & the spreading of our Brotheres ashes we circled and passed a feather taking turns speaking of Sunbear and his love.
We cried and rejoiced. Sam & Tereasa led a ritual which included Sunbears favorite clothing choice (birthday suit) and specifically invited Sunbears spirit and the spirits of many ancestors whose names we called out....... Josef Greenfeather, Vern Helper, John Lennon, Allan Ginsburg, Crazy Horse, Martin Luther King Jr., Jerry Garcia and MANY others to be present. AS brother Jimmy 2Feathers shared and talked about Sunbear he invited everyoneto spread a spoonful of Sunbears ashes where they felt led to do so.
With music & singing we processed from Main Circle uphill to the top of the meadow area. " We are opening, we are opening.........." It was so tearful for me being aware of our brothers' love & presence and the cycle of life continuing.
We processed about the site of the '91 National taking turns spreading his ashes at special places we believed significant to Sunbear.....Meadows, undisturbed wild places, '91 CALM area where a baby was born, hilltops, water areas, WelcomeHome & NERF kitchen. At each area we lingered and shared.
@ one meadow I was awed turning around and seeing a wide vista of a bowl created by the mountains ringing the hills we travelled upon and decided it was this view across the meadow framed by the forest and mountains that must have also thrilled Sunbear to see. It was here that I spread his ashes in an arc and found myself saying that Sunbear would really love this place.
(VT. is breathtakingly beautiful).
About 20 of us processed close to the top of the mountain to find a special ancient oak (it took 5 of us to circle) that had massive spreading beams facing the 4 directions. The conch was blown in the 4 directions. We spread more ashes that were carried in the conch then circled the oak, om'ed & told more Sunbear stories. Meanwhile his ashes were carried downhill to Welcome home and surrounding area to be spread by others. This gathering was very different than others in that Sunbear and others were not there. That space felt empty and tender. I realized who my living siblings are and honor them for the energy they brought to the gathering with joy. It was especially tomeeting. "And I want to keep it that way ".