I dedicate the following poem and thoughts to my sister, Melodie Andrews, in everlasting Love and Memory.

Life Is…

Like water

In a never-ending cycle

Flowing constantly

Everlasting 

I’m writing this now, as I sit here listening to the rain. The overwhelming sound of each drop as it falls and hits all around me.

I’m inspired to write this because several days ago I received the news that my sister Melodie Andrews had passed away suddenly while spending time with her children, preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday.  The shock of this comes at a time, living here in northern California when the news and social media has been focused on all of people in and around the area of Paradise California in the aftermath of devastation known as The Camp Fire.  I would like to add, previous to finding out about my sister, several of our friends and extended family members have been directly impacted by the fire with losing loved ones.

This brings me to the main point of this message, from the perspective of both a spectator and participant, a person who can relate with sympathy and empathy to the fact of losing someone in our lives.   

Everyone at some point in life has asked the question “What is Life?”.  But, what we are really trying to understand is far deeper and relates to purpose, this usually comes about when we feel a loss in our life which brings about more questions such as…” Why do bad things happen?” , “Why is life so difficult?” ,” What is the purpose of life?” etc! These questions are open-ended and, in my opinion, create more stress than answers.  I believe we can look back at the first question, “What is Life?”.  For each person, this may be different. I can only give you the answer I found for myself.

I’ll start by asking you to look back at the poem I wrote at the beginning of this page, which is an adaptation of a poem I wrote as an assignment in high school.  While we move through this I will provide you with my thoughts, feelings, and meaning behind the poem.

I absolutely believe life is more than just our physical existence. The reason I relate life to water is because I believe it is a perfect physical example of a greater reality than we can ever observe.

Let us begin with the oceans and seas of our world, all one body of water, interconnected with every part of the planet. From the shorelines to the farthest depths always in continuous contact. The surface of the water seamlessly attached to the air which surrounds the earth, all separate yet a complete ecosystem.  As the ocean is one single body of water, I believe we are all part of a collective conscience. Next, in the cycle, the water changes form becoming clouds and eventually rain. This becomes our physical existence, a short period of time that we feel separate and independent. Just like rain falling from the sky to hit the ground this is a brief moment in time. After this happens the rain reforms back into lakes and rivers. This is when we move from our physical form into the memories and thoughts within the minds of all the people we leave behind. Eventually, as the rivers return to become part of the oceans again, I believe we return to the collective consciences. Just like water we move through this cycle, we change forms but are never really separate from any part of the cycle at any time. Therefore, I believe the ones we Love have been and always be with us.

I want to thank everyone who reads this, My goal has been to give insight through my point view in order to possibly provide help to any one whom has experienced the feeling of loss and to find a path to healing the heart.

As a final note, I am posting this on November 24, 2018, in honor of my sister Melodie. To wish you a Happy Birthday today with all my Love.                                                                                                           your brother Aaron