Sandy's December 2022
Qigong Newsletter

Drawn to the Light

Dear Friends and Fellow Searchers,

The month of December has always been one of my favorites – a time for family traditions, renewing friendships, preparing our hearts, gift-giving (and receiving!), and decorating the house with extra lights, inside and out.  I absolutely LOVE sitting in silence with just the mantle and tree lights aglow.  It’s mesmerizing!

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But I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t admit that I’m finding my thoughts and emotions quite scattered today, having just returned from Missouri where I traveled with my brothers for the funeral of a dear family friend and old Navy-buddy of my dad’s.  At age 92, Bernard had lived a long and generous life and has left behind a beautiful legacy of kindness and laughter for his numerous grand and great-grandchildren. 

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But the hole that his death leaves behind is also immense. And his funeral reminded me of many other funerals over the past several years that have directed affected some of my closest friends and family members, including three deaths last December.  And my heart fills with sadness for what that means for each person affected as the holidays approach.

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It also brought up memories of something my own mother shared with me the day before she died, something I had never heard her talk about before.  When I gently asked her what she thought her ‘passing’ would be like, she said she imagined it would be similar to what she saw happen to my dad nineteen years earlier – that he was drawn toward a bright tunnel of light. 

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“What? You saw dad being drawn into a tunnel of light on the day he died?”, I asked her with eyes and ears wide open, and she replied, “Yes, I saw your dad heading toward the light as I was being driven away from the hospital that day.”  I am still in awe of this revelation, seven years later, and I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing this private conversation with all of you.

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For it strikes me today, in the midst of my chaotic emotions and scattered thoughts, that we are ALL drawn toward the light, both in life and in death.  Perhaps when we are the furthest thing from being in a state of ‘peace and calm’, it is exactly when we need it most.

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So please, take time to embrace and experience each and every emotion, honor them for as long as seems healthy, and then release them into the Light.  Be gentle with yourself and others during this precious season. 

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And take good care, so you can be fully present for those you love this holiday.

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Drawn to the Light,

Sandy Salvo

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P.S.  If the holidays are difficult for you, I’d be honored to have you join me on Wednesday, December 21st at 7:15pm for a “Longest-Night” Advent Service at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Cross Plains.  Many faith communities will also be offering similar opportunities for you to know...you are not alone.

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