Hi everyone,

I just finished the book "Adam" from Henri Nouwen (for the second time). The last part of the book deals with the effect of Adam's death on the community here and in particular the core members.

We can so often think of people with disabilities as people with diminished capacity and therefore diminished emotions.  But this is far from true.  I have experienced here how death and grief affects our core members. Their lives are about relationships and friendships that are built day by day, strengthened and rooted.  Already I hear comments of "Jeff, my friend!!!!" Love roots us in friendship and trust and bonds us on a deep level.  There is danger in loving, in opening ourselves in vulnerability, because hurt and pain and loss can also enter in.

I have watched on many ocasions where core members grieve. I remember being here a few years back when David Gray died and how the community gathered the morning of his death and sat together and sang, told stories, cried and hugged.  These bonds run deep and I know myself how death can hurt.  I still shed the occasional tear when thinking of friends and loved ones who have died.

I also am amazed at how each week the core members grieve when saying goodbye to a summer assistant or one who has been here longer.  There are community blessings, tears, hugs, and words of loss and grief.  Core members also experience a change of emotion and rythum.  It is through the gentle love of one another that they are able to move forward and carry the memory of those who have walked with them in friendship.

I continue to open myself in trust to this community as I live my life story and build new friendships.  Until next time.

Jeff