SageTree

For a man born on 4/20 and was a life long enthusiast of the herbs, I couldn't think of a better forum to place this remembrance in.

Born on April 20, 1959 and lost his battle with cancers,February,26 2010.

This is my Wife's Uncle Doug. A hip, hip cat.


In typical fashion one of his favourite trips was to Jamaica many years ago, where he got to smoke tons of spliffs on the beach. One thing I'll always remember about Doug, is that smile of his and a shirt he had. I was a yellow tank top and had this slogan blazed across the front. More than a typical dry joke, for sure... but man I laughed my ass off every time I saw it, which was often.


There are many good things to say about this outstanding man. I'm thankful that he was able to help raise my Wife and to incorporate his virtues in her own life. The whole time he was battling it out, I never saw him not smile or say a cross word, even though it seemed like such an injustice to us all, that he should be sick and still so young.

But alas, this is the way it goes sometimes, and I think, even though he tried, he was always at peace with knowing the end was going to come sooner for him.

His courage and perseverance through Chemotherapy treatments seemed in the end to have been for us, some more time for us to be with him, and laugh at a few more of his jokes, so it wouldn't be so bad for us.

A knot Doug tied in my Wife's hair, was cut off the day he died and was laid on our alter for a week. On one nippy Saturday we went to the River, did some ritual of passing on, in my Wife's tradition, and I kept the fire. The ice was just melting already, which seemed appropriate, since it was not a birth or death we celebrated/remembered, but only a change of form, as it flowed down down down, into the continual cycle of life and rebirth.

Just as we finished the Trickster, The Raven flew past laughing, talking and teaching in it's own way. Doug's final lesson to us, via a messenger, the laughter doesn't have to stop just because he's gone, because he's not, he's just not where we can see him in a form we've know him by. But the laughter always still rings as true.



Thank You Doug. We Love You. Cheers!

__________________

Mikey

Sorry to hear about your Uncle Sage, he looks like a cool cat. Born on 4/20? That's pretty sweet.

I'm sure he's in a better place now.

__________________
RIP Gov

Tricto

Sounds like a good man, imho, the best goal you can attain in life is to be held in high regard with the people you care about. I also think that while there's a physical person, there's also the non-physical aspect of that person: the things they've taught you, the advice they've given you, the jokes they've told you, etc...it's almost like they're with us here a little longer. It sounds like our fellow toker faced his illness courageously, I'm sorry to hear that man, RIP.

__________________
Human rights went on vacation
Money took over a long time ago...

Cuando la historia no se puede escribir con la pluma, se escribe con el fusil

SageTree

Thanks folks. Prayers and thoughts for my Wife too. This is a big loss for her and I don't know if she is going through it just like I would, but honestly I feel like she's stuffing it down more than needed. Each in their own time, and she'll still have my love and support when she is ready.


SageTree

__________________

hijabihippie

You got it.

turmaline

Wow tough year so far.

Hugs!

SageTree

Thanks Turm, there have been hard times, no doubt, but there has also been a lot of blessings too.

I don't know if my 'deaths in my life' quote is higher or lower than the next person, but I feel I've learned lessons from the hard changes and what my mind set was when they were on the joyful mourning side of things.

Much love to you all and thanks for supporting me through this change over the last month, as it gives me renewed energy to be there for my Wife, who wasn't/isn't having such an easy time of it, although its been a short time from Doug's passing, she has come a long way, even though deep sarrow still arises.

to you,
SageTree

__________________

SageTree

Well the family decided a couple of months ago that they would all get tattoos for Doug and when we were there in June we all have a party with two artists and 14 tattoos given that day.

My Wife and I drew our own, and was based largely on our experience with the Raven, mentioned in the first post.

My focus during the time was to be with the pain that Doug felt and to know that all our combined pains of the day, would never match the suffering pain and agony he went through in his treatments......

Here are some pics:



Bearsy's Av:








I feel that its fitting that mine is black or a shadow of my Wife's because my whole experience was because of her and my pain and sorrow took a back burner to her own pain. I included the traditional sun because of the fire I built at the river and the light that I carried in my Wife's darkness. The ribbon is for the memory or the view of why, it helps tell the story in physical form.

Thanks for letting me share my heart with you again on the event in our lives. Sharing it helps me work through the feelings and integrate the whole process into my life. And it is so helpful to be able to give it word and voice.

Thanks YaHooka. SageTrees get sad and need to cry too. So I am grateful for a community of good friends who care.

In love,
SageTree

__________________

Mafoo

beautiful rememberance,
in pain deep we partake.
the best among us;
nature, far too soon, will take.

sorry to hear about your loss sage

__________________
PLUR
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return

SageTree

Thanks Mafoo It's still hard to believe at times. But as deaths before and am sure after, it's an up and down, ebb and flow tide of emotion. Maybe decent days and then a glint of a memory sobers me into remembrance, which as time has passed, has been turning into thankfulness for knowing such a great person and being part of the family he's still very much alive in.

Thanks Mafoo

__________________

Mikey

That's a beautiful way to remember your uncle Doug Sage, cool tats!

__________________
RIP Gov

hijabihippie

Thank you for sharing, SageTree.

Thundering hordes of hugs & love to you & your Wife.

profit

"Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealously. The shadow of greed, that is." - YODA


R I P

__________________

hijabihippie

Native American Poem

Don't stand by my grave and weep, for I am not there.
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I'm the diamond's glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
Don't stand by my grave and cry.
I am not there.
I did not die.
--author unknown

"Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It only changes form."
--Sir Isaac Newton

SageTree

Thanks My Friend, that brought a tear to my eye and that is really cuts to the heart of the story of the Raven flying by and laughing, reminding us that it never really ends and to keep on smiling like the smile of the Universe, which Doug wore oh so well.

thanks my friend, thanks. It was beautiful.

__________________

Bearsy

RIP, Uncle Doug.

__________________

SageTree

__________________