Parting fr Dick

RIP Our Sweet Aaron
Unwrap me from this white linen shroud and clothe me
With leaves of jasmine and lilies;
Take my body from the ivory casket and let it rest
Upon pillows of orange blossoms.
Lament me not, but sing songs of youth and joy;
Shed not tears upon me, but sing of harvest and the winepress;
Utter no sigh of agony, but draw upon my face with your
Finger the symbol of Love and Joy.
Disturb not the air's tranquility with chanting and requiems,
But let your hearts sing with me the song of Eternal Life;
Mourn me not with apparel of black,
But dress in color and rejoice with me;
Talk not of my departure with sighs in your hearts; close
Your eyes and you will see me with you forevermore.

by Kahlil Gibran

I have written much that I haven't shared yet about my nephew Aaron, our laughter of shared family life (I only have/had two nephews and three nieces) and Aaron's struggle through cancer and his transition. Last night I dreamt that he was basking in my lit white aura, my soothing him as he lay his head on my knees.We were gently laughing and in deep conversation about what is to come, the next phase of his journey. As today is the celebration of Aaron's life. My brother has made it into a big catered affair, projects have been made to honor Aaron. All my kids contributed, William made the urn, Hunter downloaded all his favorite songs for the film projects, and Cheyenne made 'from scratch' chocolate cake on Aaron's birthday (post) for his dad/mom & sibs. The family surrounds you in the circle of Love, we welcomed you into the world and hopefully we helped you gracefully leave us. Awe Aaron, we're gonna miss you...

I haven't seen you recently at some of the conventions and I am wondering why you are not with Dick? I heard a rumor that you two had parted and this shocked and saddened me. I cryed.Your marriage is or was so perfect. If you two can't make a marriage work, how can any couple? I am saddened by this news.

Dick Sutphen and I have been parted since January 2005. We did have a very beautiful marriage. And we try to be the very best of family to each other now and to our children. It's important for us to stay healthy and strong as we want to walk and talk our truth of our teachings to others. Not to be sad, all life changes at every moment. I feel blessed for all the beautiful moments with my beloved people, places and events in my life. I will relate an article that Dick wrote 10 months after we parted.

Four years ago, when I started writing "Soul Agreements," it was in
response to my need to know how much of my life was predestined. To
investigate other people for the book, I used past-life regression and
Higher-Self hypnosis. My wife Tara chakra-linked to my subjects, then
cast their astrology charts using both Eastern and Western techniques.
We found that everyone sets up their life experiences differently. One
person allows considerable free will, while another predestines all
events of importance. But the important relationships in our lives are
predestined for everyone.

My own big question while doing the book research was in regard to my
relationship with Tara. Were we destined to remain together or to part?
After 18 years, our relationship had changed direction. She told me her
astrology was becoming very intense -- Pluto and Saturn were generating
a major seven-year transition that would make her into someone new.

I consulted my own astrologer, Lee Holloway. She took one look at my
chart and immediately pulled up Tara's chart. She told me what Tara was
experiencing was one of the most intense transitions anyone could go
through. Tara is a Sagittarius, with five planets in Sag, meaning she
would experience this transition five times more intensely than others.

But it wasn't just in Tara's chart. Lee said, "The cycles are asking
you to revolutionize your life and your relationship. Saturn is doing
it from the tenth, the Lord of Karma is at the top of the chart and the
Lord of Fate is at the bottom. And Uranus, the planet of revolutions,
is in your seventh house of partners. So this is fated. This was meant
to be. It's not any accident that you chose Tara, and this cycle is
reflected in both of your lives. Both by transit and by progression.
Both, same cycles, same time, it's meant to be."

A soul agreement.

I felt Tara and I had the awareness to withstand any tests the Universe
chose to throw at us, and we began to put them to use. All the while,
everything that was going on in our astrology was being reflected in
our lives. But by January, 2005, after over three years of "riding the
dragon's tail," we decided it was time to let go without blame, and
wish each other well. Endings are not necessarily bad, although there
has certainly been pain. But endings do point us toward transformation,
which is to be celebrated.

When I looked again to astrologer Lee Holloway, she said, "Not all
soulmates are meant to last forever, Richard. Sometimes the very things
we fight are the things that give us the most." Lee went on to talk
about the positive aspects our transitions would evolve into.

Tara too read our astrology. Transitional astrological aspects are in
play at this time in both our charts. "This is about love life," she
said, "but if these were accident indicators, we'd both be dead. That's
how intense this is. On a soul level, we have both chosen to part."

I asked Tara to consult her spirit guide Abenda about our parting. The
following are excerpts from that communication:

"Dearest Richard, The river does know it's course. There are many
things that life offers you that you will not understand. Tara
fulfilled a part of your earthly puzzle, but there is much more to do
in both your lifetimes. She has chosen a new path to help her become
the leader she is meant to be. You have not held her back. You have
been the shining example. You have been her everything. And that is why
when she chose to visit this life, we wrote in that she would exit to
pursue the possibilities of her dharma. You can support her as she will
support you. Tara will always be there for you, if you allow her to be.
It is a time of great awakening on the planet and it is her job to
serve. Although you do not understand, you will. I love you, Abenda."

People say that when there is no more growth, a relationship will die.
But I never believed this to be the case with us. We grew right up to
the day we parted nearly a year ago. And although we are no longer
living under the same roof, we are still growing through the form the
relationship has taken today. In the last few weeks, we easily worked
together in Sedona, AZ, Columbus, OH and Lily Dale, NY.

Our marital relationship has now become a living-apart friendship. We
will each remain in each other's lives, but in a different way. The way
you experience life is the result of the way you choose to view what
happens to you. Your viewpoint is the deciding factor in whether you
experience life lovingly or fearfully. I remind myself of this every
day.

It's been almost 4 years since Dick and I parted and yet we are best friends. Always there for each other. We decided to keep the business together as we get along so well and believe in karma. I can't say it's been easy for me, I was in the marriage for many years and seemed to be in it for the long haul. Our shared dharma and path changed...

I believe in Destiny. I am always true to my feelings and the way I want to love and be loved. Change happens each and every moment of every day. It's not always what we want at the time, but we get what we have contracted for our soul and it's growth. Whether it be an opportunity or stumbling block. It's to dust oneself off and get on our journey and make the most of our lives.My quest is to venture forth in the steps of trust. For it can be a beautiful life.