(no subject)
I am back from my trip, and a strange mix of exhausted/wide awake. Jet lag is strange.
I will make a big long post about the whole trip soon, but for now, I just want to post this and go to bed. It's my good-bye to Alli.
X-posted to girlmom
I'd never met alli in person, and unfortunatley couldn't make it to the funeral, as I had a trip out of the country which had been planned in advance for years. It just so happened that while I was in Korea, I stumbled upon the most amazing place.
From a distance, it seemed to be a bunch of balloons mystically swaying in the breeze. As we climbed the path to get the top, we saw it was so much more.
They weren't just balloons. They were sacred lanterns which korean buddists use to send their wishes to their loved ones so that they might have a smooth passing. After struggling to communicate with a woman who sat within the temple, fanning herself, I understood that I could write a message myself. Of course, Alli immediately came to mind. It was made very clear that the lantern had to have a specific message on it-the lanterns are for wishing your loved one a smooth way to heaven. Not being sure of religious affiliations on alli's side, I tried to write an ambiguous message that simply sent our love to her.
Me hanging Alli's lantern.
And her lantern, swaying in the hot breeze next to so many others.
I was told that the monks inside the temple (whom I wasn't allowed to photograph) would pray 8 hours a day until July 15th (the korean lunar calender) for Alli's spirit to go on to a better place.
This is the view her latern has over the mountainside.
And a buddha which overlooks it all from the inside.
I wanted to be at the funeral so, so badly. I know that it's not much, but it feels good to have spread a little bit of Alli around the world.
And with that, I go to sleep-or try to, anyway.
I will make a big long post about the whole trip soon, but for now, I just want to post this and go to bed. It's my good-bye to Alli.
X-posted to girlmom
I'd never met alli in person, and unfortunatley couldn't make it to the funeral, as I had a trip out of the country which had been planned in advance for years. It just so happened that while I was in Korea, I stumbled upon the most amazing place.
From a distance, it seemed to be a bunch of balloons mystically swaying in the breeze. As we climbed the path to get the top, we saw it was so much more.
They weren't just balloons. They were sacred lanterns which korean buddists use to send their wishes to their loved ones so that they might have a smooth passing. After struggling to communicate with a woman who sat within the temple, fanning herself, I understood that I could write a message myself. Of course, Alli immediately came to mind. It was made very clear that the lantern had to have a specific message on it-the lanterns are for wishing your loved one a smooth way to heaven. Not being sure of religious affiliations on alli's side, I tried to write an ambiguous message that simply sent our love to her.
Me hanging Alli's lantern.
And her lantern, swaying in the hot breeze next to so many others.
I was told that the monks inside the temple (whom I wasn't allowed to photograph) would pray 8 hours a day until July 15th (the korean lunar calender) for Alli's spirit to go on to a better place.
This is the view her latern has over the mountainside.
And a buddha which overlooks it all from the inside.
I wanted to be at the funeral so, so badly. I know that it's not much, but it feels good to have spread a little bit of Alli around the world.
And with that, I go to sleep-or try to, anyway.