Tributes From The Heart

What images best explain past remembrances of valued friendships in your life?

“So long as the memory of certain beloved friends lives in my heart, I shall say that life is good.” (Helen Keller)

In the past two years I’ve signed up for an online Kundalini Yoga class on Sunday mornings knowing very little about what Kundalini actually means. But after taking a few classes, it did not take long for me to realize the powerful spiritual effect that Kundalini felt. I attribute this opinion primarily a result of our teacher, Marjorie Bryant, from New York City who expertly worked our body and mind through musical chanting and a set series of repetitive movement poses for one hour each week. Beyond more easily tapping into such energy of our inner soul, I’d also embraced her session introductions where she explained how Zodiac signs from Astrology combined with movement of stars, moons, and planets through time could change the future directions of our daily lives.

Thus being more aware now of my “Pisces character” through Kundalini ideals and in particular it’s meditative foundations, I feel it’s important in this blog entry to “dig deep” into my intense emotional nature. So I find it quite appropriate for me to reveal strong feelings of gratitude in remembrance of certain loved ones whose untimely demise impacted my life in the past. Thus I’ve conducted this week a quiet search in my home for some valued tokens of connection that symbolize sincere thankfulness toward each of these revered individuals who’ve produced joy, comfort, and happiness in my life. Perhaps the following video will similarly bring out that uplifting spirit of giving back somehow to those no longer alive that you cared about at some point in your life.

https://youtu.be/uZniHnEaeP0?si=97Vq93QWr6wUoZkn

 

My wife’s brother Steve once bought me the most expensive shirt I’ve ever owned. To this day, strangers approach and compliment me for wearing such a classy garment. Thus I thank Steve for making me aware of choosing good taste in clothes to enhance my social standing and physical appearance.

Chief Wahoo, an imaginary logo figure from the long legacy of Cleveland Indians baseball vanished when the team last year renamed its ball club the Cleveland Guardians. In staring at his dining area statue in the photo below, I reject the idea that so many make that his somewhat amusing look feels offensive to the status of Native Americans in my country. So I realize I must thank Chief Wahoo wholeheartedly for inspiring me to “root” so enthusiastically for this team throughout my lifetime.

My wife’s father Ed accompanied me to Miami Dolphins games during their glory years following their 17-0 perfect season and through the exciting Dan Marino era. When Ed passed away recently, he left me some physical mementos of those enjoyable times spent cheering the Dolphins on together. So I thank him for keeping these pleasant memories of Dolphins football alive and well in this modern era.

My grandfather Eugene once allotted much of his leisure time to teach me to play a competent game of chess. Thus I thank him in remembrance of his life with me in this chess set image I found in my living room. For Eugene served me well with his patient and caring nature whom I choose to emulate in my subsequent teaching career.

My father Arthur worked long hours each week at various soft drink bottling companies when I was growing up to maintain our family’s economic survival. So I thankfully dedicate these vintage Cola bottles found in my souvenir chest to this hard working and responsible man who I similarly modeled in work “like father like son.”

Our Maine Coon cat Maxie lived in pet friendly comfort with us to a ripe old age exceeding over twenty years. Searching for some object reminders of his family friendly presence then, I discovered that these cat needlepoints made by mother on my bookshelf invoke a feeling of thankfulness for those relaxed times when we sat contentedly in the living room together.

Looking back to my inner city teaching days in Miami, I feel honored to mention a pair of running shoes stored away in my closet. For I most likely wore them on those morning occasions when I ran with my FBI agent friend Steve around our neighborhood. For during those relaxing jogs, Steve and I shared plenty of positive conversations that helped each of us escape from reality as we dealt with some very stressful times in our respective occupations.