Elegy Hotel

Reflections:

"You only get one goodbye."

Do you agree with Val on this statement? What rituals do you have around saying goodbye? How does the ritual differ with different people? At different times in your life? What versions of yourself have you said goodbye to? Did you mark those changes?

Practice: Metta meditation

Metta meditation is a practice of loving kindness. Loving kindness towards yourself, towards others, and towards all things.

Take 5 minutes and beam these messages to the below people, no matter how difficult it might be:

May they be safe

May they be happy

May they live with ease

beam these thoughts to:

• Someone you love

• Yourself

• Someone you are neutral about

• Someone you dislike

• All living things

Activity: Altars

Altars are used in this chapter as a form of remembrance, to honor lost loved ones. Historically, altars started as markers of sacred space, typically in nature-- mounds of earth, sacred trees.

Take this time to create sacred space in your own home. Bring a little nature into your space to honor a concept, a person, or anything of meaning to you.

Music from this chapter:

• Knee Deep in the Hoopla album by Starship