A message to Andrei on his 18th Birthday
Today, Stefan and Caity gave me a folder with cards I had sent to Andrei over time. I was both surprised and moved that Andrei would have kept so many of them for so long.
As I read through them, the following one stood out, mostly because of the timelessness and the universality of the message. It was Andrei’s 18th Birthday. At the time, he was quite lanky and very self-conscious of his body. Here is what I wrote then:
Dearest Andrei,
Thank you for choosing to come into our lives eighteen years ago. In honor of your birthday, I want to share with you a passage from Awakening to the Tao - it is a special message for you as you are making ever finer distinctions in your life.
“The Tao is in the body. Within the body is hidden another person who always accompanies you, whatever you do. Awake or asleep, it is always there, looking, listening, talking, walking - it is very, very close. This is not the awareness of conditioned knowledge, it is the original sane energy, vitality and spirit. If you seek this in terms of form or shape, you are mistaking the servant for the master’”.
And the seeming paradox,
“… The Way is in flexibility…. To attain the Tao requires resolution, cutting decisively through whatever holds you back …
The Tao is independent. Independence means you have to love yourself. If you, yourself are present, things cannot drag you down or around …”
I love you, Andrei. I am blessed and enriched by your presence in my life. Happy Birthday, dear heart.
Marcelle
October 17th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Hello Marcelle,
I was searching for you and came across this web site. Leah and Eryn told me that you lost your son. And I felt so sad. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be in your shoes. After looking through this web site, I get a sense of who Andrei was. I’m so sorry. He was lucky to have you as his mother, as you are lucky to have been blessed and enriched by him. I would love to see you while I’m in Los Angeles from October 25-29. Let me know if you are available so that I can give you a big hug.
Much love,
Reena.