Both my grandfathers had
a hard life. Yet both loved life.
Both loved people. Each had a
quick smile and a deep laugh.
Each gave before being asked.
Each listened to whatever was
difficult without looking away.
They both died before I could
ask. So where did I learn this?
You can’t teach someone to lean
in, to get up, to help out. We just
offer comfort and care, the way
a fire warms with its flame.
Yet their presence lifts me long
after they’re gone. Whenever I
listen or give, I feel them in
the river of effort that has
kept us going for centuries.
A Question to Walk With: Tell the story of an unexpected legacy that you are a part of.
This excerpt is from my book of poems in progress, Tales of the Ferryman.
Mark will be offering retreats and a few special journeys in 2024. Below are some of his offerings:
April 26-28: Reading and Weekend Retreat, Saying Yes to Life: From Brokenness to Tenderness, The Sophia Institute, Charleston, SC, or call 843-720-8528
https://thesophiainstitute.org/events/saying-yes-to-life-from-brokenness-to-tenderness/?occurrence=2024-04-26
May 6: Drinking from the River of Light, Talk on the Creative Process, The Gilmore Festival, Kalamazoo Public Library Central Branch, VanDeusen Room | 2 pm
https://www.thegilmore.org/event/mark-nepo/
May 18–24, 2024 The Gift of Deepening and the Radiance in All Things, a weeklong retreat on a river cruise in France hosted by Global Journeys
https://globalj.org/the-gift-od-deepening-overview/
June 28-30: Omega Institute, Falling Down and Getting Up: Discovering Your Inner Resilience and Strength, Weekend Retreat Rhinebeck, NY
http://tinyurl.com/5n79swbd
Aug 16-18: Mercy By the Sea, You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Net of Friendship Retreat, 167 Neck Rd, Madison,
https://www.mercybythesea.org/events/
Sept 16–21, 2024 You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Power of Friendship, a Mastery Week Retreat at the Modern Elder Academy in Santa Fe, Mexico,
https://www.meawisdom.com/workshop/the-power-of-friendship-with-mark-nepo
Nov 1-3: Harmony Hill Retreat Center, You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: The Net of Friendship Weekend Retreat, Union WA, Contact Harmony Hill for info:
https://www.harmonyhill.org/contact-connections/
Dec 8–14, Saying Yes to Life: The One Life We’re Given, a weeklong retreat in Costa Rica, hosted by Global Journeys
https://globalj.org/mark-nepo-costa-rica-overview/
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