I haven’t posted for a week because last week was a very interesting week. The world lost a capable, beautiful young kung-fu student, and I was best man in my dear friends wedding. Interesting contrasts that made me think deeply. I wanted to post, but it took until now to get some thoughts together.
The young man was a kung-fu student at our studio. He was 17 years old and had been studying since he was pre-teen. His family was LDS, and so was he. He and his 2 brothers were witty, funny, smart, good-humored and open-minded. They were disciplined from kung fu, thoughtful, and courageous enough to stand up for their principles. Had his life not ended early in a car accident, who knows what this young man could have done with the strength he had developed. Who knows what impact his death will have on his brothers; certainly, returning to study and train at the studio will be a challenge.
On the other side of the coin, my best friend got married…they did a beautiful ceremony up at loghaven in Millcreek. It was so lovely it was a bit otherworldly and fey. The bride wore a glamorous dress that looked like something Rita Hayworth would have worn, and blue keds. The afternoon was full of joy and love and appreciation of life.
The contrast of the two events was stark and thought-provoking.
Our lives are roses and dust. We live, we connect, we share, we love and we go when it is our time. Even in his short time on this world, the young man in question touched many lives. I was unable to get to his memorial services because of the wedding; I did hear that many people were deeply touched. I recall that one of my kung-fu brothers said “We have all lost a brother.”
Our lives are roses and dust. Moments of appreciation, joy, and connection that are just a momentary bloom of bright, scented powerful sensation and each one of those moments passes.
Kung Fu teaches us to focus our mind and body. I think that focusing on that moment of bloom gives us sanity and wholeness.
To my younger brother; godspeed, wherever your will and heart takes you now. Not just I, but the world will miss you. Even though I spent little time with you, it was easy to see that you were a remarkable young man, and the memory of your young life shines like a bloom in my mind, a bittersweet memory.
To my dear friends, blessings on your moment together. Your wedding was a beautiful bloom in time.
Roses and dust.
I'll always remember those three boys together at the studio and all the events they went to. They'd earned the nickname of the "Weasley" kids because they're all red heads. My heart goes out to his two brothers especially. I cannot imagine that loss.
Brad and Beth's wedding was truly beautiful, and I felt so lucky to be there as one of Beth's bride's maids. BTW… they were blue Chuck Taylors… important distinction. hehe