Well if you’ve been in one of my classes the last couple of days, or are on social media, you already know that my Dad passed away this past Tuesday. If you care to read a little bit about this wonderful man who I got to call Dad, then here’s a link to his obituary: https://www.cederbergfh.com/obituary/wayne-samson
As you can see he lived a very full and colorful life. But what is not mentioned here is that he was diagnosed with Bi-Polar at the age of 70. Needless to say his last 13 years of life were super challenging for him and all those around him, especially my Mom. He was actually classified as “brittle” which basically meant he could flip from manic to depressed quickly. I witnessed this transformation once over the course of a single day.
I tell you this because I am choosing not to focus on the memories of the last 13 years, nor the visual of watching him take his last breath. As I sit and write a few words to speak at the funeral today, I am choosing to remember the good memories of my dad.
The practice of yoga teaches us that if you have a thought, a worry, or an image in your brain that you don’t want to think about, it simply doesn’t work to push it away. The more we try not to think about something, the more energy we give it and it just becomes a bigger part of us. So in yoga we use the breath and bodily sensations as a focus to give our brains a little break from anxiety or ruminating thoughts. Well that’s what I have decided to do with my dad’s memories. I am choosing to remember the good. I am writing down and focusing on this random smattering of memories that surface when I allow myself to think back to all the good times with him.
My dad is who I got my passion from. When he was passionate about something he could sell it to anyone, anytime. I admired that in him and am proud that he passed this down to me. I have put my heart and soul into Body Language because I believe in it wholeheartedly. And as I write this to you today, I really believe that inheriting my dad’s drive and intensity has played a huge part in Body Language’s ability to have served this community for 25 years and counting!!! Thanks Dad!!
…And thank YOU for all your texts, comments, phone calls, meals, cards and well wishes. My entire family has felt very loved and uplifted by this amazing BL community over the past few days. THANK YOU!!
