To the Departed

Tonight a Supra. Brick walls, dim bulbs reflecting their dull, copper-red tones into the basement room. It was cold when we arrived and we stood around, talking about nothing, waiting for something. A little old Georgian man appeared, unlocked seven deadbolt locks, scrounged around in a garage room and showed up with several pieces of wood that looked like they used to form a small bench or bookshelf. Soon a fire crackled away, and with a sigh, we made our formal sitting and relaxed into our chairs.

Toasts to God, to Children, to Ancestors, to Family, ... to the Departed.

This is an interesting toast. It commemorates all those who we have loved and who have departed the physical realm. We cherish these souls, pay our respects, allow space in our hearts for them, and remember their deeds in this world. Most of all we remember their love, and we relive our own love for them. The tamada toastmaster will often specifically name parents or other relatives of those at the table who have departed. We give thanks for their gifts to us, and speak of the lessons we learned from them, or the lessons we wished we had learned from them.

Tonight, Joni paid compliments to Philip. Luarsab followed, saying that he felt he knew the man through knowing me. Ketevan talked of losing her father when she was fourteen, of it feeling like a limb were torn from her body. She said it was a time when she could have disintegrated, but she was able to stay strong in her love of God. Rafael said we teach each other trust. I said there is omnipresent light, a new relationship waiting to be developed, a conflict inside that is only resolved within me. A relationship of openness and closedness, a conflict. In opening to God, God is there. So it feels to me now. Words of comfort, joy, forgiveness, and sorrow. Crystal said I am proud of your forgiveness, the most difficult test of love.

Toast to the Departed.

And to Life, to Faith, and to the Mother of God.
We are singing, and we are listening. I am Dreamer #1 says Ketevan, and Wes is Dreamer #2. I like being a dreamer, it suits me well.