Re: Re: holiday celebrations
From: PattyMara Gourley (pattymarajuno.com)
Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2002 09:42:05 -0700 (MST)
At Tierra Nueva, where we're in our fifth year of living together, or
next to each other, we encourage all celebrations.  All holidays and
persuasions.  We even have a policy encouraging the whole range of
possibilities, which emerged during our first year together when the
Christmas Tree discussion first surfaced.  

I like seeing the menorahs, the tree and the solstice suns all blended
together in the common house.   For some rituals, like our Day of the
Dead celebration, we use our outdoor meditation garden, where we set up
an altar with pictures of our families and friends who have passed on. 
We have yoga and meditation groups, full moon ceremonies, passover
seders, sabot and samhein, women parties, a man's group and kid
parties/rites of passage.  

It is all good. 

I recently heard from my grown daughter Lauren, who is doing graduate
work at U of Michigan, Ann Arbor.  Lauren grew up coming to meetings with
us for years, before we finally moved in.  She was listened to, at age 12
when she had something to contribute at meetings.  She worked on
committees, helped plan and cater our groundblessing ceremony at age 17. 
She is truly a marvel to us, and she was deeply affected by the community
life she experienced.  In her latest email she sent an urgent request to
mail her all of our holiday tapes and cds for a party she is planning
with her roommate.  She attached a graphics file of the invitation she
made.  On it are pictures of a Kwanzaa woman, Santa Claus, a star of
David/menorah, a snowflake and a Buddha.  It reads:

"YULE FEST 2002.  Unpack your favorite
Christmas/Chanukah/Solstice/Kwanzaa/other-winter-holiday sweater (or
sweater-vest)!  It's Time to Par-tay.  Tim and Lauren invite you to the
cheesiest celebration of 2002.  There'll be a crackling fire on the
television, Mannheim Steamroller on the stereo and plenty of 'nog and
cheese log for all!  Grab your favorite Yuletide snack and/or Yuletide
beverage "to pass" and join us!"

See what I mean?  Besides the fact that Lauren is an amazing young woman,
and truly remarkable left to her own devices, she was deeply influenced
by the juicy melding of many persuasions that are celebrated by her mom
and dad and the rest of us here at Tierra Nueva.   

I encourage all groups to fill  their common houses, AND their private
homes with color, ritual, memories, celebrations, song.  Be joyful
together, and grieve together.  Cue the "Circle of Life" and all the
animal puppets and dancers from the Lion King.  

Par-tay on,
Patty Mara Gourley
Tierra Nueva, central CA coast
 



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