Where does one begin to write about the ending of a friendship? What words describe the emptiness, that fills the space once occupied by love and understanding? How does one hold on to someone who has let go?
Gale Gutradt was a special friend and supporter of the Wat Opot Community, and a founding member of the Wat Opot Children’s Fund… and although she kept us all well informed regarding her deteriorating condition, it was with great sadness that we learned of her passing on the 22nd day of February, 2016. She had shared with me, just days before, the beautiful poem below, that describes how she hoped her passing would be… and to my knowledge that is how it was.
In her passing she has left us with so much however, not the least of which is her book, IN A ROCKET MADE OF ICE, which she considered her “one good piece of work to do in this life”. The book has already touched the lives of many people and will always be a pleasant reminder of the time she spent with us.
SHE LET GO.
She let go. Without a thought or a word, she let go.
She let go of the fear.
She let go of the judgments.
She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head.
She let go of the committee of indecision within her.
She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons.
Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.
She didn’t ask anyone for advice.
She didn’t read a book on how to let go.
She didn’t search the scriptures.
She just let go.
She let go of all of the memories that held her back.
She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward.
She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.
She didn’t promise to let go.
She didn’t journal about it.
She didn’t write the projected date in her Day-Timer.
She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper.
She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope.
She just let go.
She didn’t analyze whether she should let go.
She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter.
She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment.
She didn’t call the prayer line.
She didn’t utter one word.
She just let go.
No one was around when it happened.
There was no applause or congratulations.
No one thanked her or praised her.
No one noticed a thing.
Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.
There was no effort.
There was no struggle.
It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad.
It was what it was, and it is just that.
In the space of letting go, she let it all be.
A small smile came over her face.
A light breeze blew through her.
And the sun and the moon shone forevermore…
~
~~ Rev Safire Rose ~
The Watopotians