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Aug 28·edited Aug 28Liked by James Taylor Foreman

I’m very sorry to read that you have lost your brother. I lost my father many years ago and felt a sudden awareness of his presence as well, and of his loving awareness of me.

In my shock and grief that strong palpable sensation was a balm that began to heal the wounds of a long, painful relationship in which love and dislike, longing and alienation were entangled.

Since his earthly death I have felt a gradual mutual reconciliation between us.

You articulate beautifully and with courage and clarity the conflicting feelings, emotions and thoughts swirling through your mind and heart.

You seem open to a nurturing the soul connection with your brother. It is a perfectly achievable goal, even during this period when you and your brother are on either side of earthly death. Don’t succumb to guilt or regret; they are Satan’s snares, their function is to subject you to futility.

Your brother can be your supporter and advocate now, he can and almost certainly wants to help you achieve the full promise of your exceptional talent and creative promise.

Just don’t close up—continue to open yourself to the insights flooding your soul in the aftermath of your brother’s death: “there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”

Send you my sincere sympathy and best wishes.

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Thank you, Chris. I'm going to Louisiana at the end of the month to do a small ceremony for him. Your words have helped me a lot to frame how I'm thinking about that and how I want to approach the experience.

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Aug 28Liked by James Taylor Foreman

I have someone I was very close to in my life that died before I could let go of my position and extend myself for reconciliation. It's a terrible thing to live with. On the other hand, the inability to resolve my mistake leaves it present in my attention as a living lesson that never fades, which in a strange way, I'm grateful for. Machines make everything convenient, and where there is no rub, forgetfulness of all kinds settle in. Remorse is an inherently wakeful force. God bless you and your brother.

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Thank you Rick. Death is here to bring our attention fully to life -- and sometimes we need to be reminded of that.

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Aug 28Liked by James Taylor Foreman

Firstly, let me send my heartfelt condolences. We really don't know the lives of others, and they are frequently so filled with both suffering and joy. I enjoy using AI for things like: give me a thorough outline of the history of sicily. And: how do you get ink off leather. I'm sure it's not completely accurate, but who says that a book or website is accurate?

Anyway, It's hard when someone you love dies and you're left with so many questions. My dad's coming onto a year, and it feels like a month. We weren't especially close so I wonder if I could have done something to change that.

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God bless you, Jo and your dad. Thank you for you kind words.

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I’m so sorry for the loss of your brother. And thank you for your thoughtful & insightful words. There is a lot of food for thought here.

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Thank you for your kind words, Jena

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