Dear friends and family,
Danny passed four weeks ago today, and not surprisingly some people
have been concerned about how I'll cope on my first Father's Day
without Danny since 1984. I'm fairly stunned to report that I feel
very very good today.
The skeptic in me often tamps down suggestions of mystical
experiences, but I can't deny a rising sense of peace and happiness
the past several weeks. If I had to guess, I'd say that Danny is
sending me a sliver of the joy he's experiencing in God's embrace.
I also continue to be aware in profound ways of how blessed I am to be
the recipient of so much love from the many wonderful people who've
been united with us on our journey.
There are times of course when I miss Danny so much. Interestingly, it
seems like the accident and the ensuing trials were a dream: when I
think of Danny, I see his smile and hear his voice and his music.
Although I won't have Danny here today physically, be assured he'll be
with me. And so will Lynn, Katie, Andy and Tricia. And we'll have
visits from our surrogate kids, Stacey and Sarah Steinmeier and many
of the guys who played music with and for Danny (who're coming over to
watch the Laker game this evening).
This past week Lynn and I had a great visit up in Mariposa (about 5
hours drive) with Bhau Kalchuri who's visiting from India. Bhau was a
great comfort to us, expressing his certain feeling that Danny is
happily united with Meher Baba.
One of our friends who is Roman Catholic wrote to us: "Danny is safe
and warm in Meher Baba's room." When I told her I appreciated the
reference to Baba, she said, "Danny taught us that all religions are
the same." We've heard similar sentiments from many others. What a
great accomplishment for such a young man.
Happy Father's Day to the dads among you.
With love and gratitude,
Jeff
Attached are three photos and me and my "Boy-boy".
Here are a few of the quotes read at Danny's memorial programs:
From the Book of Luke 17:20-21 : Once, having been asked by the
Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The
kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will
people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God
is within you."
In the Jewish faith, it is customary after a loved one's burial for
the family to light a 7-day candle and recite this blessing: "The
human spirit is the lamp of God. Blessed is the Eternal One who has
implanted within us eternal life."
The Koran says "We are God's, and to Him we are returning."
Buddha said “This lifetime of ours is as transient as autumn clouds.
To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the
movements of a dance. A lifetime is like a flash of lightning in the
sky rushing by like a torrent down a steep mountain.”
In the Bhagavad Gita (regarded by many as the Hindu Bible), Krishna
says: "The power of God with with you at all times; through the
activities of mind, senses, breathing, and emotions; and is constantly
doing all the work using you as a mere instrument."
Meher Baba said, “Through darkness to light, through suffering to
happiness, through chaos to harmony will be the end of the journey.
All suffering has an end. Spiritual happiness has no end. It is
perennial."
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