It is with great and humble thanks that I extend to all those who helped in this program. When Candas Jones called and wanted to organize this ceremonial hike for Meredith, I did not hesitate..... because based on the many phone call, email and personal one on one, I knew people needed some way to heal....together.
Over 300 people... ventured out into bitter cold (12 degrees) to participate in the M.E. ceremony. These are only a few of the many pictures.
MANY OF YOU HAVE ASKED ME TO POST THE ELEGY.
Several have also thought that I am mis-prounouncing the word and should mean eulogy. The words are different..Elegy is defined as follows:
El-e-gy: a mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, esp. a funeral song or a lament for the deceased.
A Trail Angel Rises
An Elegy by Winton Porter
January 2008
Out on the trail, when a comrade falls, a trail angel rises.
Meredith, whose kind and loving spirit was cruelly taken from all those who knew and loved her, has joined the ranks of trail angels.
She will forever be our guide.
Because trail angels dance along the path of peace and joy forever.
Because trail angels watch over those who merely want to walk forever.
Those who simply want to live.
Those who want to live simply.
And beautifully as Meredith did.
Merediths light once illuminated the path of hundreds of friends and family members as well as among the many, many she touched along the graceful trail of her life.
The light Meredith brought us has not been extinguished.
It has risen.
It now illuminates the path of millions
Across our nation.
Around the world.
And as her light rises, we come to know its source.
A source inextinguishable.
An inner source.
It came from Merediths compassion.
Her kindness.
Her love of outdoors.
Her love of animals.
It now fires our love.
Our compassion.
Our resolve to live better lives.
Kinder lives.
It warms us, consoles us, unites us here and now.
And as her light rises,
It ignites in us the good of our natures.
It reveals to us the beauty of these mountains.
It fires in us a renewed joy for living, for those around us, for the walks we share today.
Her light reminds us not to wait but to love while we still can.
Now….Stop. …Listen.
Hush and truly listen.
Hear the drums?
Feel them on the wind?
Hear the human tales of triumph and sadness that echo through these vast and ancient mountains?
These are human tales, bouncing off the cliffs,
Reverberating among the high tree lines,
Following the deep gaps.
Filling our hearts.
Separateness is an illusion, my friends.
There is no me.
There is no you.
There is only We.
We of this earth.
We the one.
I am you.
You are me.
Together , we are bound by common experience:
Love. Life. Hope. Joy. Sorrow. Pain. Memory.
Meredith Emerson is you.
You are Meredith Emerson.
Follow her light.
It will guide you well.
Remember.
Out on the trail, when a comrade falls, a trail angel rises.
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