Jonah’s Site

Here’s a birthday present pic for you, saw this guy a few weeks ago on a boat ride, is he one of yours that got away?

 What though the radiance which was once so bright
          Be now for ever taken from my sight,
              Though nothing can bring back the hour
          Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
              We will grieve not, rather find
              Strength in what remains behind

Jonah

in memoriam J.B.

It is large, they say, this life,

and however could a dove alight

on the barnacle-armored hull of it

and not fear his own consumption?

You live on through the love

you left behind, in the eyes

of those who speak of you

at the distant whaling outposts.

Although we never met, your

story is all too understandable,

since each of us are stowaways, deep

in the hold, tossed on a storm.

How could you not have wanted more?

The rafters creaking overhead,

only a swinging lamp to guide you.

You went out on deck alone.

And when the world found you,

and rammed against your hull,

they say you looked it in the eye

before it swallowed you whole.

written by an anonymous neighbor of Jonah’s family

We had our annual burn last weekend, I guess we’ll just keep this tradition going . Our family has been having big Christmas tree burns around Jonah’s birthday FOREVER. Why stop now??!

Anyway it was a success!!!! This year we had less trees than years past, only because our City leadership is “in charge” and they’re afraid we’ll burn the city down!!!  It was a huge fire nonetheless and all of Jonah’s  favorite  local people were there, and many of us actually felt Jonah’s presence. Some of us are doing better at setting Jonah free than others, but each in his own time. Somehow, (and however we get there) we will accept this, and do something good with what we all learned from Jonah. In fact, that’s something to think about, if you have anything you’d like to share on “what you learned from Jonah” we’d love to hear it!!  It’s inspiring to know what an amazing impact he made on his world.

Until next time

Emily