There are deep rhythms that shape individuals far more than outward clamor of politics and economics. Among them, transitions between life and death. Sometimes, such moments carry extraordinary glimpses of beauty. And hope.
In July, I received a phone call regarding a 92-year-old Japanese-American who, her daughter informed me, was nearing the end of life. The daughter, along with her husband and son, invited me to accompany them during her mother’s final days.
The woman’s daughter and I met on a patio outside our community’s newly constructed hospice facility. She related her mother’s onset of symptoms, their recent trip back to Japan, her mother’s decision to receive no invasive medical treatment for the cancer that had turned more aggressive. The mother was no stranger to me. I once stood with her, seven years ago, in a local cemetery along with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. We bowed and placed an urn holding a portion of her husband’s ashes in the earth.
When I entered the hospice room, she lay quietly in a coma. Known to her friends and family as an adventurer, she left her homeland to build a new life in America. I asked if I could spend some time alone with her. I sat next to her hospice bed for five or ten minutes, followed her soft, labored breathing. I returned for the next two days. And did the same. She met her husband in the 1960s when he was stationed in Japan. She had a love for travel, was an avid floral gardener, talented cook and skilled seamstress (Her mother was a kimono tailor).
Currents of Zen Buddhism and Shintoism shaped her youth and experiences as a child. I suggested to her daughter that she might bring a few Japanese coins to place by her mother’s bedside. There are shared traditions, grounded in Buddhist, Greek, and Christian belief, that a river will be crossed at the end of life. Some traditions say that a boatman needs to be honored with a few coins for carrying us across.
The following day, her grandson lit incense in the hospice garden. Six Japanese coins were laid under his grandmother’s pillow. An international telephone call was arranged. Her brother in Japan bid farewell in the language of her childhood. Two days later, at 4:26 A.M, with her daughter and son-in-law by her side, she opened her eyes. Took two breaths. And left this world.
Last week, a small group of us traveled to a nearby shore of Lake Superior. We were each given a white rose, invited to pick its petals, then lay them on the waters while her daughter scattered ashes of her mother and father from a small urn. Prayers were whispered. Ten of us gathered at a nearby picnic table. A simple lunch of Asian food was graciously provided. Green tea was served in double-walled Japanese horse tea cups .
Simplicity often holds profound truth. There is no such thing as an unremarkable life. Or death.
Fall 2020 Equinox Newsletter
CONTENTS
JOURNAL NOTES
OUTREACH
These are difficult times.
Our gratitude to Mike Grossman, MD, who joined the CTI Director to facilitate a mind/body stress reduction session in September at Ishpeming’s Great Lakes Recovery Adolescent Center with 10 youth.
Also to Jen Dehlin, MD, and Mike who, with CTI staff, facilitated our 20th Janus Project training workshop for hospice workers and volunteers in September at Marquette’s Presque Isle Park Pavilion. This year’s theme was “Dying as We have Lived: Loss, Hope, Transition.” Staff from U.P. Home Health & Hospice and Lake Superior Hospice joined us as they face dangerous challenges from COVID-19.
In August, Dan Robinson from the internet blog site Great Lakes Spirituality, based in Wisconsin, hosted a podcast with CTI on the history and future of the Institute’s work with environmental initiatives, American Indian tribes, and faith communities.
https://www.glspirit.com/post/science-and-spirituality-a-gift-to-each-other
Thanks, Dan, for your important work with NPR and deepening our understanding of how spiritual life impacts environmental concerns.
Congratulations to Joseph Piccione, who recently published a small, exquisitely crafted book with Crossroad Publishing titled “Receiving God and Responding in Breath Meditation.” Joe is a Research Fellow with the Cedar Tree Institute and a noted theologian and ethicist for OSF hospitals across the Midwest.
Thanks to Rick Pietila who, down at the boat yard in Marquette’s lower harbor, filmed a component for a Labor Day Celebration with the U.P. Labor Federation. The CTI Director offered opening comments and a blessing.
Special appreciation to Ken Kelly, UP Wild Church’s Lanni Lantto, and Fred and Kathy Maynard. Along with 12 volunteers, we planted 500 trees with the Northern Great Lakes Water Stewards in September. Our appreciation to Pastor Sudi Layerman, who hosted our team at the Presbyterian Community Church in Big Bay and to Jeff Noble, our forester. Chauncy Moran and Jay Johnson from the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve served as guides.
Thanks to Jim LaJoie and his Board. In November and December the Superior Health Foundation will be supporting CTI in Project Eagle Wing, a mental health support project designed to support medical staff on the front lines of the current epidemic here in Marquette County.
THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION
TAI CHI FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Beginning NOVEMBER 2020
You are invited
MONDAYS: 5 – 6 P.M.
QI GONG and TAI CHI via ZOOM. A series of gentle exercises to increase health, balance, flexibility, and focus. Class is limited to 12 participants due to internet capacity. New teaching points and insights will be shared each week.
To register, contact us.
WEDNESDAYS: 5:30 – 6 P.M.
TAI CHI at Marquette’s Mattson Park, west end, near the Fire Bell. This year we plan to facilitate class sessions for 30 minutes (outdoors) under the trees through the winter months. Dress appropriately. Cups of green tea will welcome you. A lantern will serve as your welcoming beacon. No prior experience is needed. This will be a teaching of resilience, focus, community and courageous engagement. Come join us!
Due to the economic and social challenges of COVID-19, there is no class fee for either of the above offerings. Instead we invite you to consider the practice of “Dana,” a Buddhist practice of generosity, no obligation. Just an invitation. All donations support ongoing projects of the Cedar Tree Institute. Access our website and follow the ‘Donate Now’ button or send a contribution to: The Cedar Tree Institute, 403 E. Michigan St. Marquette, Michigan. Thank you!
Over the years, The Cedar Tree Institute has committed itself to support organized labor in Northern Michigan. Institute staff and volunteers recently received a hand-written note from Kathy Carlson, on behalf of the U.P. Regional Labor Federation, along with a donation to assist us in our recent tree planting project.
“Thank you for all you do to support our unions, the environment, and our faith.”
Many folks know us (CTI) for our mental health projects and environmental initiatives. But our work with faith communities remains the heartbeat of all our efforts. Few make that connection.
Her note is now framed on a wall in CTI’s home office on Michigan Street.
The Cedar Tree Institute, a nonprofit organization provides services and initiates projects between boundaries of medical institutions, faith communities, American Indian tribes and social action movements. One-third of our services are provided pro-bono.
CTI BOARD
- Jon Magnuson, CTI Executive Director
- Steve Mattson, Financial Consultant, Wells Fargo Private Client Services, Retired
- Jim Elder, Attorney, Elder Agency
ADVISORY COUNCIL
- Larry Skendzel, Physician, Hospice Care
- Gareth Zellmer, Consultant, Trainer
- Ken Kelley, Professor Emeritus, NMU
- Rick Pietila, U.S. State Department
- Jan Schultz, Botanist, USFS, Retired
- Michael Grossman, Family Physician
RESEARCH FELLOWS
- John Rosenberg, ELCA Pastor/Writer
- Joe Piccione, Ethicist
- Kent Fish, MD
For information contact us at 403 East Michigan Street, Marquette, MI 49855 or contact us via email. Telephone & Fax: 906-228-5494
The Fall 2020 Equinox Newsletter is brought to you by Cedar Tree Institute.
