death family grief grieving hug hugging karma loss poem poetry reincarnation writing #amwriting

Deaths in Karmic Batches

I’ve read that when people reincarnate, they may do so in batches, sticking together for their progressive learning. I find the idea mostly pleasing. But I hadn’t thought about how that might call for group exits. This fall-winter has knocked me on the head with two deaths. First my beloved brother (my only sibling) on October 10. Now my stepmother, January 19, last week. Death’s absoluteness blindsided me. You can’t plead for just one more…

Continue reading

blessing Christmas compassion family Hanukkah interfaith respect tolerance unity

Season of Light – This Is Our Family

This is our family every year in December. We’re the Hanukkah-Christmas celebrators. My brother and his family are observant Jews, and we celebrate Solstice and Christmas. And we get together and meld our holidays in love. This particular difficult year, it’s nice that Hanukkah and Christmas Eve are one day. Someone in the interfaith community said this coinciding of the two sacred holidays should be taken as a sign that tolerance and brotherhood are what…

Continue reading