Beautiful, and terrible, and beautiful. Thanks, Seth and Sam, for giving space for Jack to just talk. And thanks for talking, Jack, for telling the story. I've lost my dad too, the tallest tree in my forest. After his father died, Jim Harrison wrote "in rode the terrible freedom." Now we are the tallest.
Moving to hear you speak about such an intimate time, and so soon after. Much that is familiar to my own experience, but also different. I am grateful to you all for elucidating that idea of preparation, and of the technology of death, and the connection to place, to the land. What vital things these are. (Though the question about what the sting is that Christ saves us from is not resolved if we see death as simply 'natural'). And those emotions which you struggled to name as sadness - yes. It is us being opened up to more life, to more life than we knew we could bear. In a world of casual over-sharing this conversation instead feels like a great generosity.
Thank you Michael. I think about the point that you have raised about what it is that Christ has saved us from a lot. It is difficult to address in this fashion. I often wonder because as scripture says Christ was crucified before the foundations of the world- I sometimes feel that crucifixion happened outside of time or before time in a way that death is now a different thing because of it? That death would be a redemptive force in the natural world seems to be creation bearing witness to the redemptive death of its creator? But none of this seems to resolve the mystery you poke at. There is so much to think about here. I think we could do an episode on this topic. I am so grateful for you, Michael.
Jack, we are grateful to hear your story of your dad. Thank you for sharing this process.
Strangely, I woke up this morning from a dream that I was talking to you and your wife, Amy. When I woke up, my first thought was “I wonder how Jack’s dad is doing.” I was up at 5:30 to milk the goats, so I saw the podcast and listened to it on my drive to the farm. It felt fitting that I was on the farm to hear your story and pray for your family. I pulled up as you were talking about the work you’ve put into your land… it moved me to pray for the goats during my time with them and really try to steward the window of time I am on the farm.
I lost my dad to cancer about eleven years ago. It was entirely different, but as Sam said, I can relate to the technology of death. The way things happened was surreal, and I still marvel at it.
We listeners will be praying for your family. May you continue to experience God in your midst as you go on.
It does seem fitting. Milking goats is a time of good meditation for me. I am glad the land dynamics stood out to you. I am surprised by all of that- still processing a lot. Land and animals don't have the type of voice that we tend pay attention too, so it's easy to overlook how significant a role they play. And thank you for your prayers
This was such a profound conversation. Thank you for sharing Jack--to offer a glimpse into who your dad was, his life and death, your grief and faith -- the invitation into the sacred journey of your family's experience through it. I literally cried through all of it-because, as you said, joy, curiosity, our unknowing, our grief and loss is our universal experience. Surrounding you and your family with peace and love. Thank you again. 🦋
Beautiful, and terrible, and beautiful. Thanks, Seth and Sam, for giving space for Jack to just talk. And thanks for talking, Jack, for telling the story. I've lost my dad too, the tallest tree in my forest. After his father died, Jim Harrison wrote "in rode the terrible freedom." Now we are the tallest.
Thank you, John. I'm really grateful for the Jim Harrison line. I feel that- but I can't sort it.
Such a profound comment, John. Thank you.
Moving to hear you speak about such an intimate time, and so soon after. Much that is familiar to my own experience, but also different. I am grateful to you all for elucidating that idea of preparation, and of the technology of death, and the connection to place, to the land. What vital things these are. (Though the question about what the sting is that Christ saves us from is not resolved if we see death as simply 'natural'). And those emotions which you struggled to name as sadness - yes. It is us being opened up to more life, to more life than we knew we could bear. In a world of casual over-sharing this conversation instead feels like a great generosity.
Thank you Michael. I think about the point that you have raised about what it is that Christ has saved us from a lot. It is difficult to address in this fashion. I often wonder because as scripture says Christ was crucified before the foundations of the world- I sometimes feel that crucifixion happened outside of time or before time in a way that death is now a different thing because of it? That death would be a redemptive force in the natural world seems to be creation bearing witness to the redemptive death of its creator? But none of this seems to resolve the mystery you poke at. There is so much to think about here. I think we could do an episode on this topic. I am so grateful for you, Michael.
Jack, we are grateful to hear your story of your dad. Thank you for sharing this process.
Strangely, I woke up this morning from a dream that I was talking to you and your wife, Amy. When I woke up, my first thought was “I wonder how Jack’s dad is doing.” I was up at 5:30 to milk the goats, so I saw the podcast and listened to it on my drive to the farm. It felt fitting that I was on the farm to hear your story and pray for your family. I pulled up as you were talking about the work you’ve put into your land… it moved me to pray for the goats during my time with them and really try to steward the window of time I am on the farm.
I lost my dad to cancer about eleven years ago. It was entirely different, but as Sam said, I can relate to the technology of death. The way things happened was surreal, and I still marvel at it.
We listeners will be praying for your family. May you continue to experience God in your midst as you go on.
It does seem fitting. Milking goats is a time of good meditation for me. I am glad the land dynamics stood out to you. I am surprised by all of that- still processing a lot. Land and animals don't have the type of voice that we tend pay attention too, so it's easy to overlook how significant a role they play. And thank you for your prayers
All the way to the end - I’m not recalling the words as much as the feeling and grace of healing this discussion provided.
I'm glad for that- that feeling of grace and healing has been very present.
We're all about due for a dose of the prayer of Sam, I reckon.
Thank you for sharing these stories about your family, Jack.
Sam's prayers are good medicine
This was such a profound conversation. Thank you for sharing Jack--to offer a glimpse into who your dad was, his life and death, your grief and faith -- the invitation into the sacred journey of your family's experience through it. I literally cried through all of it-because, as you said, joy, curiosity, our unknowing, our grief and loss is our universal experience. Surrounding you and your family with peace and love. Thank you again. 🦋
Thank you, Laurie. Your tears feel so valuable. Thank you for listening to this and for being present in it. You are a good one.