A Life Worth Examining

Every story has an epilogue.  Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes epilogue as “a concluding section that rounds out the design of a literary work.”  As a spiritual guide, I have ministered with people during life transitions through counsel focused on dream yoga.  When it came time for my father to leave the role of Bill O’Guinn, we made those final steps in his journey together.

In those months, for me, all ten essential life skills collapsed back into one.  Presence.

Just as I watch my son blossom from one into the many, I watched my father’s petals let go – one after another – until he released the life he had made.

Dad has been preparing me for his death for as long as I can remember.  To him, it was an expression of love.  “Daughter, it is well for you to be prepared for when I’m gone.”

“As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well used brings happy death.” – Leonardo da Vinci

I didn’t realize Dad would disappear before my eyes, before his soul left his body.  I find it fortunate that what dream yoga practices I have made my own, “fell into place” when I needed them the most.  It was “second nature” to be completely present with dad in the epilogue of his life.  Beyond thinking.  Beyond feeling.  A*WAKE is what it is to be a paraclete, a healing Presence.

“Death is beautiful when seen to be a law, and not an accident – It is as common as life.” – Henry David Thoreau