What lovely reminders of ways to stay creative and I was also so very honoured to see you mention my "Thrive in Three" newsletter - truly so humbled and grateful to have you listening in!
Such a lovely surprise to see you here on Substack and hear you play Gareth. This video popped up after something else I was watching. You taught piano to my daughter Evie for a while in Wales. Delighted to feel how much music means to you 😊
Wonderful to hear from you, Juliet! I remember Evie — she was one of my first ever students after leaving university, so it must have been around 2008/9? On the chicken farm! And you've ended up in Washington State! I so love it there, I've been a couple of times. I hope you're having a lovely time and all the family is well.
That's right. We lived on a chicken farm too! Evie loved your lessons and was sad when you went travelling. You were brilliant with her as she was shy around adults. She went on to play violin and harp. She's in the Navy now and an accomplished sportswoman.
Yes Washington State is now home and it is just so beautiful. I can't get over it! If you find yourself out here again and would like to get in touch, it'd be fun to catch up!
It’s stunning, isn’t it? My sister lives in BC and my wife’s Aunt is in Seattle, so thankfully we have a couple of excuses to go over there. If I remember correctly you were farming biodynamically, and I think I have actually WWOOFed on a biodynamic farm in Washington!
I’m really happy to hear Evie is doing well. Please give her my best.
I will. The kids' Dad died from cancer in December so they are grieving but supporting each other through it. It has changed all the dynamics in the wider family and interestingly brought unexpected healing in its wake. I saw you are a grief companion. That's very resonant. I've been drawn to the idea of death doula as an informal role.
Your family is scattered across continents too! My son is heading to BC for a job in a few weeks. I'm thrilled he'll be in our back yard.
Yes, we farmed organically for a while and WWOOF is such a great organisation. I bet you have some amazing stories. I will pass on your greetings to Evie and all the best to you and your family.
I'm really sorry to hear about the kids' Dad. That's tough.
What you said about the grief bringing unexpected healing speaks to exactly why I find it so fascinating: it's such a profound, complex process, that there are often unexpected consequences. I find the conversations I have with grieving people are the among the most profound and moving conversations I have. In the last years I've written and released pieces of music for grieving people ('Elegies') and my upcoming album 'Life Through Loss' is a reflection on the many facets of grief — the positives too. I also thought about training as a death doula, and the few people I've met who do it have spoken very positively about it. It's a wonderful thing, to take your pain and make something positive out of it.
Thank you Gareth. I want to go and check out your music now. Isn't it funny how we have found this thread of connection. You have certainly created something amazing from the pain of grief and loss. That transmutation is a profound gift to you and all who hear your music.
There is something about the invitation to hold space and witness the last stages of life that takes us where the veil is thin. I love the term 'holding vigil' and have found myself unexpectedly called to do that non locally. So often in life we are trying to fix and restore ourselves, others, societies. With death there is no such option and with that comes an extraordinary expansion and invitation into deep presence. It feels like a teacher. Teaching us to be present with ourselves and all our emotions, present with others in their humanness.
I'd be happy to connect to talk more about this sometime if you'd like that?
What a lovely, inspired idea, thanks for sharing Garreth.
Such fun, isn't it?
Love the idea of this mashup too - it's so inspiring and I too love those creative detours! Thank you!
What lovely reminders of ways to stay creative and I was also so very honoured to see you mention my "Thrive in Three" newsletter - truly so humbled and grateful to have you listening in!
You’re most welcome, Amie!
truly so kind.
Such a lovely surprise to see you here on Substack and hear you play Gareth. This video popped up after something else I was watching. You taught piano to my daughter Evie for a while in Wales. Delighted to feel how much music means to you 😊
Wonderful to hear from you, Juliet! I remember Evie — she was one of my first ever students after leaving university, so it must have been around 2008/9? On the chicken farm! And you've ended up in Washington State! I so love it there, I've been a couple of times. I hope you're having a lovely time and all the family is well.
That's right. We lived on a chicken farm too! Evie loved your lessons and was sad when you went travelling. You were brilliant with her as she was shy around adults. She went on to play violin and harp. She's in the Navy now and an accomplished sportswoman.
Yes Washington State is now home and it is just so beautiful. I can't get over it! If you find yourself out here again and would like to get in touch, it'd be fun to catch up!
It’s stunning, isn’t it? My sister lives in BC and my wife’s Aunt is in Seattle, so thankfully we have a couple of excuses to go over there. If I remember correctly you were farming biodynamically, and I think I have actually WWOOFed on a biodynamic farm in Washington!
I’m really happy to hear Evie is doing well. Please give her my best.
I will. The kids' Dad died from cancer in December so they are grieving but supporting each other through it. It has changed all the dynamics in the wider family and interestingly brought unexpected healing in its wake. I saw you are a grief companion. That's very resonant. I've been drawn to the idea of death doula as an informal role.
Your family is scattered across continents too! My son is heading to BC for a job in a few weeks. I'm thrilled he'll be in our back yard.
Yes, we farmed organically for a while and WWOOF is such a great organisation. I bet you have some amazing stories. I will pass on your greetings to Evie and all the best to you and your family.
I'm really sorry to hear about the kids' Dad. That's tough.
What you said about the grief bringing unexpected healing speaks to exactly why I find it so fascinating: it's such a profound, complex process, that there are often unexpected consequences. I find the conversations I have with grieving people are the among the most profound and moving conversations I have. In the last years I've written and released pieces of music for grieving people ('Elegies') and my upcoming album 'Life Through Loss' is a reflection on the many facets of grief — the positives too. I also thought about training as a death doula, and the few people I've met who do it have spoken very positively about it. It's a wonderful thing, to take your pain and make something positive out of it.
Thank you Gareth. I want to go and check out your music now. Isn't it funny how we have found this thread of connection. You have certainly created something amazing from the pain of grief and loss. That transmutation is a profound gift to you and all who hear your music.
There is something about the invitation to hold space and witness the last stages of life that takes us where the veil is thin. I love the term 'holding vigil' and have found myself unexpectedly called to do that non locally. So often in life we are trying to fix and restore ourselves, others, societies. With death there is no such option and with that comes an extraordinary expansion and invitation into deep presence. It feels like a teacher. Teaching us to be present with ourselves and all our emotions, present with others in their humanness.
I'd be happy to connect to talk more about this sometime if you'd like that?
I tried Chopin’s Ballade no 2 with Norwegian Wood by The Beatles. Really sounded nice! Not sure where I got the idea, I must have heard it somewhere…
Brilliant!
Thanks as ever, my friend.
Aren’t we all doing well?! Hurray! 😊
Thank you for sharing my post 🙏🌿
You're most welcome!
Thank you for including my article in your excellent list of reading resources. Also, I love the mashup!
Thank you! :D