thank you to all my friends here

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has commented and shared in this week's sending of healing thoughts, prayers, and focused energy for Gerry. There is no doubt that his family has been awash in an outpouring of love and support from friends, extended family, colleagues, and from people all over the world who connected via a wider network of friends.

It was a very sad afternoon yesterday. However, my husband (Matthew, who commented in the previous post) and Gerry's team at work were able to go say goodbye to him, spend time with his wife and family, and then go out together to spend time remembering him. The fire department crew who did the first response went to the hospital to answer questions family and friends had about the accident itself. Gerry's wife comforted his friends, with grace and strength. When Matthew got home it was clear Gerry's death had brought sadness but also a tremendous amount of light and love, which I think is the biggest possible tribute to the kind of friend and person he was.

It seemed entirely appropriate that even while his friends were learning of his death, Gerry, an organ donor, had already given a major organ to a 7-year old girl.  (And in a recent update today, Mandy reported that Gerry gave sight to 2 people, saved 5 people's lives with organ donations, and improved the health of up to 200 people with tissue donations -amazing)

Gerry's team of guys were told to take the day off today, and right now they are all on the phone, in a conference call, remembering Gerry. Many people are sharing stories and photographs on his Facebook Group page, Friends of Gerry Reid, and on the Caring Bridge website under his name Gerald Reid.

We continue to send strength to his family as they move forward.

If anyone doubts the power of friendship and of people to generate a web built of love and light, go take a look. It's pretty amazing.

*******

We've had sunshine here for two days and the forecast is bright through Monday. The horses seem happy with the hints of spring. There are songbirds everywhere, and yesterday on the way to the feed store I saw a yard completely covered with blackbirds. Keil Bay took another nap in the barnyard and because he looked so relaxed and comfortable lying there I actually delayed Salina's first lunch by fifteen minutes so he could finish his siesta. About the only thing he has to complain about is the fact that HE doesn't need four meals a day!

There was another death this week: my father's best friend died in his sleep three nights ago. My dad met Lank in Basic Training and they went through that together, then ended up in the same unit that stayed together all the way through the Korean Conflict. They both married and had first children around the same time, and our two families grew up visiting at least twice a year from the time I was born until I graduated from high school.

Lank and my dad talked frequently on the phone during my dad's last year of life, and I was relieved to learn that Lank died in his sleep, peacefully. The day after Lank died, before I even knew he had, I saw the little bird who came to visit me day after my dad died. The little bird flew up and to the fence and then away, and I stood there a moment waiting for something more to happen. A few minutes later, when I left the window, I heard a burst of bird song in the back yard. It was the little bird, with about 5 more birds, all sitting on the fence, side by side, looking at the house, singing their hearts out. I'm thinking that was my dad, Lank, and the other members of their army unit, reunited and enjoying springtime.

I was reminded yesterday when I learned of Gerry's death how time itself seems to stop when someone we know passes on. It's almost as though we forget how to move, as if the sensation of something ending becomes tangible and we have to turn the switch back to "forward" again. It's easy to see how, without children and animals and the pull of other lives around us, one could get stuck in grief and forget to flip that switch.

This morning I'm listening to my husband recall moments with Gerry on his conference call, my son is outside pounding brass with a hammer, making gold ingots and other interesting things, and the cats are curled up in various spots sleeping. Kyra the Corgi is nosing around the back yard, and the horses and donkeys are, according to my son, who just walked in, all looking at the house. It's time for breakfast tubs and that, here on November Hill, is a powerful motivator to flip the switch and move on.

I thank you all for helping this week. Please call on me if I can do the same for any of you, any time.

with great sadness, and godspeed

 

From the Caring Bridge website:

It is with deep sorrow that I must convey that our wonderful friend Gerry Reid has gone home to be with his God. Gerry was declared dead before 3 PM this afternoon. His wife, Mandy, has returned home to be with their children.

Gerry was an organ donor and his organs will bring others renewed life.

The family would like to thank all who have known Gerry for their tremendous outpouring of love and support. Gerry's legacy is the many amazing friendships he fostered and through these he will live on.

-Mark Turner

We add our love and support to Mandy, his children, and the entire family. Please keep the 9 p.m. vigil this evening as a tribute to Gerry and his incredible network of family and friends.

focused healing thoughts and prayers at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., 9 p.m. EST

I haven't had an update yet today but we will continue our focused healing thoughts and prayers this morning at 9 a.m., again at 3 p.m., and tonight at 9 p.m. and invite everyone to join in.

Over the past 15 years I've been involved in a number of group prayer efforts that had miraculous results. For me, it offers support to Gerry, his entire family, and all of us who care, and connects us all during a very difficult time.

I'll share updates when I have them.

(and I meant to add earlier that these lovely meditative photographs are Matthew's - I'm lucky to have such a wonderful group of images to pull from)

rest, strength, continued prayer

Gerry's status is unchanged today and his condition remains critical. The family has requested that they be allowed to rest this evening, as they are exhausted. They appreciate the outpouring of support and welcome continued prayer.

This evening at 9 p.m. (EST) I plan to light a candle and send healing thoughts for Gerry and his entire extended family. Please join me if you can, and thank you for what you've done thus far.

a waiting day

Waiting on rain and wind and snow for today on through tomorrow.

Even more, waiting for Thursday when sunshine will return.

But most of all, awaiting an update on my husband's friend and colleague, who was rear-ended by a huge truck yesterday morning, underwent surgery, and as of last night, was in critical condition in a coma. Gerry is a fighter, as my husband put it, and he has a wife and two young children to fight for, so we're hoping for a good outcome.

He's one of those people who knows everyone in the building at work (and that's a lot of people) so between family and friends, I know he's on a lot of minds this morning.

I've seen personally the power of prayer, lighting candles, sending healing energy, white light, etc. If you will, send your version of the above to him.

I'll update when I know more.

UPDATE:

According to my husband, Gerry will be getting an MRI and CAT scan to assess other injuries (they know his neck is broken) and neurological condition. I've been reading stories written by people who survived (a number are fully recovered) similar accidents and am doing my own ongoing meditation using white light and warm vital fluids to surround Gerry in hopes that he can take what he needs as he needs it.

In an interesting equine display a little while ago, Salina was in the barn aisle with me as I did some chores. She was there, and when I turned around a split second later, she was in the arena playing quite actively with Redford. I did a double take, as I didn't see how it was remotely possible she'd gotten from the barn to the middle of the arena in that moment of time, and again because she was tossing her head and looking like she was floating, which I haven't seen her do in over a year.

I went to the arena and realized she wanted to go through the back gate to join the geldings. Although it was on the verge of raining, and I knew she'd be back around to the barn in no time wanting to come back to her side, I swooshed the geldings away and let her go to the back.

The moment she went through the gate she did a complete pirouette (in response to the bold pony who didn't keep proper distance) and then she piaffed for about 20 seconds and finished off with a head toss that looked like a 2-year old.

It was as though she felt my need to know that yes, miracles do happen. If anyone had told me a few months back that Salina would be pirouetting, piaffing, and tossing her head like that I would have smiled and said "I hope that's true." But it would have been difficult to believe. She has arthritic knees and will be 27 years old in a few short weeks. While her body condition has been wonderful this year, the strange weather has been tough on her joints.

But I saw what I saw - and just like that, she has me thinking of how much is possible with our minds and our bodies.

It's snowing right now, and bright red cardinals are flashing about in the front field, brightening the landscape, promising spring. I think I'll send that energy on to Gerry.