First There Was Pam

"It's happening," she mused, "becoming one, the land and I." 

Some months before, Pam's stroke while walking on the land began to bring things closer—her remaining time, and the land itself. With end-of-life approaching, coming home to the land she'd loved for decades with the Manitou Project now seemed so right.

​Her release to its embrace in a purely natural way was her last wish, coming back to us now and in the rustle of leaves and light birdsong—such gentle reminders of how we are loved and embraced by more than we know.

The crackling fire and warm stories around Pam's winter burial could not be more distinct from the summer honoring of her old friend, Rupa, that followed

Then Rupa

When Rupa was close to death, she was asked about burial in the Manitou woods: "Next to Pam, why of course! With my friends circle dancing around me..." —which is just what happened. At that last dance, over 100 showed up for what we all knew would be special.

A procession walked the path of pine needles, single file, led by flute and drum and the flower-draped handcrafted casket to the burial place others had accessed by wheelchair and walkers. Interfaith blessings and chants, songs shared by jubilant birds, and reflections went longer than anyone planned, but everyone stayed. We circle danced around the open grave and willing hands returned the soil atop the casket.

​When we knew it was time, we left in small groups, new friends walking together, agreeing they'd never been part of such a glorious sendoff, much less shared such joy with a parting.

Caring for Our Own

Resonance from the Rupa celebration brought a number of us together to form Caring for our Own to explore the end-of-life puzzle; spiritual and practical, serious and light-hearted. Meeting monthly (now on Zoom), we share stories about family, loss and fulfillment in life and in death, and how to support one another around basic questions—from home funeral to stillness in Nature, to green burial made real through Higher Ground and alliances that bring it all to life.
 
Our virtual gatherings expand community reach beyond borders to everyone. Our sense of community grows online, and outdoors with trail work on the land. Newcomers regularly join our monthly online sessions, and time together on the land to work, recreate and explore. Interested? Let us know and we’ll be in touch about upcoming Zoom calls (the third Monday of the month, 4:30-5:30 pm) and on-site happenings.

Rupa's gathering at Higher Ground marked a turning point in the community for creating a conservation burial ground for all

“The embrace of the forest on that heart opening day of beauty, love and loss transported us in ways that have never left us.”
​—Amer Latif, Rupa end-of-life celebrant