Berkee's Space: 2011

Thank You

To the many who dropped, and continue to do so,
seeds of wisdom, love, friendship and learning:
Mindy, Jacob, Ben Avi, Boodha of course, Dad, Mom, Dena, Ely, Michael, M. Fagin, Y. Posner, M. Koch, T. Hogan (always there), C. E. Boles, Curtis Besinger, Ludwig von Beethoven, C. Thyssen, E. Thyssen, R. Lovland, Jim Morrison, P. Metheny, B. Berkebile, the Hawk that sat outside my window, M. Bloom, Rachel Berlman, Bernard Gately, Jack London, Andy Bettman, D. Luckey, John Heider, Mr. Wright, George Nakashima, Alvar Aalto, J. Visser, Bill W. & Dr. Bob, M. Weiner, J. Wright (where are you?), J. "Flash" Fleisher, Ken Kern, Charles Kilgen III (friends forever), L. Mooney, L. Chirea, that deer who came to my house, R. Beegle, Abrham L. Hess, Helen Auerbach, Henry Hess, O. Mountain Oak, H. Daniel, Rav Fleisher, A. Bornstein, Rav S. Talve, Rav J. Goodman, D. Hollander, T. Woolsey, B. Benjamin, Paul Keebler, Basho, Bruce Goff, M. O'Connor, J. Page, the doctors and staff at Children's Hospital St. Louis, Anne J., P. Chodron, J. Flotken, Joelle (a soul true to herself), Helen P., D. Droege, Kate P., Dr. P. Smith, Anais Nin, Oriah Mountain Dreamer, M.J. Colagiovanni, Ghandi, J. Adorney (music that healed), G. Black, Verlee Lamb Clark, J. Fitzgerald, B.K.S. Iyengar, Gefen, S. Schwartz, D. Polinsky and many new friends lately and all of those anonymous souls on the path.
I am deeply indebted to my spiritual advisor, Victor, who has opened my eyes to love, peace, especially forgiveness and the courage to live within and cherish life as it is.

And my apologies to those that I may have not remembered.

23 August 2011

What we have/What we leave

A true story as told to me, today, by a dear friend who remains anonymous. ok.

On his deathbed, the father, tells his wife and children that after he dies not to throw out his clothes. He says to go through his clothes to find the things he has left behind.

So, as requested, after his death the children open the closet, take out all the clothes and begin going through them. Tucked in a cuff here was a $100 bill. Under a collar there another $100 bill. A diamond ring sewn into the coat lining. And so on. When through they had a treasure trove of money and jewelry. As they were all discussing what to do with the treasure, the Mother/Wife says to the children they should take it all. Why? asks one son. The Mother/Wife replied: I wished i could have had him.

What is it we leave our families when we pass? What is it we have when we are alive?

09 June 2011

On a Plane

Returning home from Mother’s burial

On one side sits a man with no sight

Listening to music

On the other side sits an angry man

Sitting quietly

The man with no sight

Introduces himself and extends his hand

The angry man looks over to me

I offer a gentle smile

I offer my hand to the man with no sight

The angry man glares unfriendly back at me

One man offers life

The other man rejects it

One can harden up or

One can also turn soft, yield and love

Such is life

I sing to you

25 May 2011

Warrior

I just ran across this quote from one of my favorite authors, John Gierach. Fly fishing has been a passion of mine for a while now.....more due to the places one goes to enjoy the sport.....as in deep in the forests on a river, alone with the water, sky, valleys and creatures.

"The only thing separating a whiner from a spiritual warrior is motive."

Try this, it's a little drippy and sad at times, but a perfect match of instrument to sentiment:
Nostalgie - Romances for Harmonica by Michael Hoppe