My parents’ deaths in 1994 and 1995, offered an opportunity to venture into unknown territory. Together we experienced profound appreciation and love. They radiated peace and acceptance of their lives and deaths. We found and shared a most cherished gift - sacred love. Those experiences are the emotional and spiritual foundation of Healing Conversations.
It was with relish that I began Healing Conversations with my aunts, Eva and Nettie, soon after my parents died. It began when I wanted to create a tribute book for Eva’s eightieth birthday and began asking questions about her life and family.
In the last twelve years we have spent many rewarding hours in Healing Conversations -- often around the dinning room table. We have talked of death, family, their world travels, hopes, fears and difficulty of adjusting to living in a retirement community,etc. Old family wounds have been aired. I’ve learned about my Jewish immigrant grandparents and different ways of life.
I would never have known the depth of love, the challenges or joy of connecting intimately with my Aunts Eva and Nettie if we hadn’t engaged in these Healing Conversations. We would have missed a lot of laughs too. Nettie could access appropriate jokes for every topic; her memory was like a computer. I used to tease her that she could be a stand-up comedian for extra money. Although Nettie died October 2008 I hope Eva and I continue these conversations for many years.
