Monday, July 11, 2016
Standing Tall - On Leo's Mountain
7/11/2016
Hello, Everyone!
Today marks the 50th anniversary since we buried Dad. Funerals, of course, are very misleading because they seem to be about "burying the dead," but for so many of us, they are not at all about such. They are simply about saying goodbye to a loved one. Right? Dad has never been under that slab where we put his body. He has always been free in his spirit and soul to continue on - just as he was before he slipped out of his body. Who knows where Dad is now? - but probably long in a new body. The new Dad might even be 50 years old by now. Who is to say?
And Mom? She passed on May 16th, 2004 at the age of 96. She might be in the body of a 12 year old by now - or she may be taking it easy without a body. Again, who is to say? None of us know where we are going when we die - anymore than how we came into a life in the first place; but as I see it, if I came into a life in the first place - this life I am living now - then it is likely I will go into another life when this life is done. It just makes sense. Doesn't it?
Some think like I did long ago that God put me into this body and that somehow I had nothing to do with it. God put me into this body - and when God is ready, He will take me out of it - and reward me or punish me as I deserve; but how antiquated is such thinking? How in the world could something that is IN me because IT is Infinite put me into anything as if IT is outside of me to do so - or take me when It is done with me. But I must admit Dad did teach me such at one time - and I believed it - until I found out in life that Dad was probably wrong. Hey, Dad was only reteaching what he had been taught. Right?
But so what. So Dad was wrong - and I was wrong in accepting Dad's teaching. Hey, it is not so bad to be wrong; but when we find out we have been wrong, well, it just makes sense to start living like it is not so what we were taught. Right? I must admit that I am very ignorant about life - and how my soul abides in it - but I am sure of one thing. Whatever it is, it is Magnificent; and if I am wise, I will allow myself to see myself as Magnificent as Life itself is. If Life itself is Magnificent - and I am part of Life - then how in the world can I not also be Magnificent? Tell me that!
In an hour or so, I will be taking a bit of a hike to a place I named "Leo's Mountain" about this time in 2009. I was looking for a place to hike in private back then and bumped into a rancher about 20 miles east of Laramie. He told me I could "hike in private" on some mountains outside his home. So I went to his mountains and found one that looked a bit like a lion - like Leo the lion. Dad's name was Leo in life. So I named the little rock mountain I found that looked like a lion "Leo's Mountain."
Not wanting to leave Mom out of this little adventure, looking down into a valley, I saw another little cleft of rocks. So I called that little cleft of rocks - Clara's Hill - after Mom whose name was Clara in her last life.
I go there from time to time and hike up and around the areas I call "Leo's Mountain" and "Clara's Hill." It keeps me in touch with two grand souls that are probably out dancing with each other or with other loves now. I wrote a couple of songs about these two rock formations too - and on this occasion of the 50th anniversary of our saying goodbye to Dad, I'd like to offer final tribute to two wonderful souls - Leo and Clara - with those two songs. Enjoy them as you wish - and share them as you will. OK? I will let them speak for themselves. Alright?
Thanks! By the way, I will be adding this as the most recent blog of my writings website. After today, go there to read it if you like. Thanks Again!
Gently,
Francis William Bessler
Laramie, Wyoming
www.una-bella-vita.com
P.S. I intended on sharing my next religious column article on this day, but have decided to delay till July 31st for that - when it will actually be featured in our local Laramie Boomerang. It is called JUST A DAD. OK?
Bye for now!
LEO’S MOUNTAIN
By
Francis William Bessler
Laramie, Wyoming
7/1/2009
Dedicated to the memory of my Dad,
whose name was Leo.
REFRAIN:
I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain.
On Leo’s Mountain, I’m learning to care.
I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain;
and Leo’s Mountain is standing here.
I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain.
I’m pondering life’s grand mystery.
I delight in all I see around me;
and I have little doubt of my Divinity.
Refrain.
I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain.
I’m watching the birds flying in the sky.
I’m so glad I can be among them
and learn that all I need to do is try.
Refrain.
I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain.
I’m talking to God and I’m wondering why
people don’t realize we’re all God’s children.
Why is there between us such a great divide?
Refrain.
What you may ask is Leo’s Mountain?
It is where a lion becomes like a lamb.
It is where all anger is forgotten.
It’s where the meek meet to understand.
Refrain.
I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain;
and I’m calling from here to all mankind.
Let’s give up our fears and embrace in kindness
because, in fact, we are all Divine.
Refrain.
FINISH: (Repeat last verse:)
I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain;
and I’m calling from here to all mankind.
Let’s give up our fears and embrace in kindness
because, in fact, we are all Divine.
Refrain (twice).
CLARA’S HILL
By
Francis William Bessler
Laramie, Wyoming
7/19/2009
Dedicated to the memory of my Mom,
whose name was Clara.
REFRAIN:
Be careful where you step,
but step where you will;
and you will find yourself
upon Clara’s Hill.
Be careful not to stumble,
but when you do,
get right back up
and know it all belongs to you.
Hey, My Friend, life is out there,
but it’s not a distant thing.
No matter where you are,
it should make you want to sing.
Just take time to look at it
and be amazed how it grows.
Then lose your self in all of it
and what you see you will know.
Refrain.
The wonder of life as I see it
is that it is filled with mystery.
There is no way I can see sin
because all I see is Divinity.
If all you see is full of God
there is no way to be sad;
Put your hands together and applaud
and let your heart be glad.
Refrain.
Stand upon a hill and loudly shout,
Hey, God, I’m your little kid.
I’m so glad to be about
being happy without sin.
I think it’s such a waste of time
to shudder and fail to embrace.
It’s so much better to see life as fine
and love it without shame.
Refrain.
So, God, I accept your gift to me
of the life that’s standing here.
I pledge, my God, to believe
that what I am should be dear.
I am as worthy as a flower
that grows so brightly on a hill
to receive whatever shower
of blessings you choose to instill.
Refrain (several times).