On April 28, a group of my dear friends from different walks of my life held a Celebration of Life for me. On the invitation to the event were written these special words from poet John O’Donohue:

Now is the time to free the heart,
Let all intentions and worries stop,
Free the joy inside the self,
Awaken to the wonder of your life.

Open your eyes and see the friends
Whose hearts recognize your face as kin,
Those whose kindness watchful and near,
Encourages you to live everything here.

And celebrate we did! We felt encouraged to live everything! People shared great food, friends sang, danced, played the guitar and the piano, laughed, and we had a truly joyous occasion. Yes, it’s one of those times when words can’t really express the feelings or the joy that we experienced. As I looked around the room at the people I love, it seemed that O’Donohue’s words had hit home: “Open your eyes and see the friends whose hearts recognize your face as kin.”

The pictures tell the story: (click on photo for full size slide show)

* Hosts Andy Cooper and Emily McKhann (the son and daughter-in-law of my late dear friend Goldy Cooper; they have become like my own children).

* My close girlfriend Katrina Valenzuela from the Cape dancing a gorgeous classical Egyptian dance. My cousin Mitch Raftery is at the piano – he regaled us all evening with awesome music.

* A spiritual companion Chantilly Pickett strumming the guitar and getting everyone to sing along with great enthusiasm.

* And, of course, that’s me enjoying every moment of the Celebration of Life.

If you’ve never had a Celebration of Life event, I highly recommend it. Take the time to celebrate the amazing life God has given you!

Divine Creator, you created us in your image. You have given us the gifts of enjoyment, music, laughter, dance, poetry. Thank you for all of this. May we remember that as your much-loved children, we need to take time to be grateful, to free the joy inside us, to awaken to the wonder of our lives. This is our prayer. Amen.

Joy Carol
www.joycarol.com