Alethea Devi conducting a handfasting for Jack & June. I’ve already written about how it’s never too late to remember a loved one well. This week’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to declare one’s love.
Inspired by my plan to tell 50 stories in 50 weeks, my sister Celebrant Alethea Devi reached out to share one from her own practice.
Jack was 78 and June, 82, when they met at a retirement home. Coincidentally, both were from Canada. Jack had been a community organizer and mediator; June was a retired school teacher and horse woman.
As Jack told Alethea, when he and June met, there were sparks. They became best friends and soon were in love. They wanted to live together in the same apartment, but the policy of the residence was that only "couples" could share an apartment. So Jack proposed to June to be married. June was diagnosed with dementia and so could not legally consent to be married, but they both wanted their special friendship to be recognized somehow.
Their families decided to gather in Portland for Thanksgiving and go together to see the famous Lipizzaner stallions, since June was so crazy about horses. They flew in from New York and Southern California: sons, daughters, and grandchildren. When their families saw how in love Jack and June were with each other, one of the sons contacted Alethea for a “celebration”.
Alethea suggested an Anam Cara ceremony. Anam Cara, meaning soul friend, is a Celtic tradition more recently popularized by the Irish poet John O’Donohue who described it as a friendship that “awakens an ancient recognition” between two people.
Alethea composed and led an Anam Cara ceremony complete with a hand-fasting with a long white ribbon, accompanied by a recording of Frank Sinatra singing Young at Heart. “As soon as the song started to play,” Alethea says, “Jack burst out to sing along. It brought a sweet tear to our eyes and became the theme of the day. As my husband said, “You never know when you'll feel 16 again, and poof you fall in love just one more time.’”
Inspired by my plan to tell 50 stories in 50 weeks, my sister Celebrant Alethea Devi reached out to share one from her own practice.
Jack was 78 and June, 82, when they met at a retirement home. Coincidentally, both were from Canada. Jack had been a community organizer and mediator; June was a retired school teacher and horse woman.
As Jack told Alethea, when he and June met, there were sparks. They became best friends and soon were in love. They wanted to live together in the same apartment, but the policy of the residence was that only "couples" could share an apartment. So Jack proposed to June to be married. June was diagnosed with dementia and so could not legally consent to be married, but they both wanted their special friendship to be recognized somehow.
Their families decided to gather in Portland for Thanksgiving and go together to see the famous Lipizzaner stallions, since June was so crazy about horses. They flew in from New York and Southern California: sons, daughters, and grandchildren. When their families saw how in love Jack and June were with each other, one of the sons contacted Alethea for a “celebration”.
Alethea suggested an Anam Cara ceremony. Anam Cara, meaning soul friend, is a Celtic tradition more recently popularized by the Irish poet John O’Donohue who described it as a friendship that “awakens an ancient recognition” between two people.
Alethea composed and led an Anam Cara ceremony complete with a hand-fasting with a long white ribbon, accompanied by a recording of Frank Sinatra singing Young at Heart. “As soon as the song started to play,” Alethea says, “Jack burst out to sing along. It brought a sweet tear to our eyes and became the theme of the day. As my husband said, “You never know when you'll feel 16 again, and poof you fall in love just one more time.’”
* * *
"When love comes into your life, it’s almost like the dawn breaking within your heart.” ~ John O'Donohue
Hear John O'Donohue share more celtic wisdom on soul friendships and other topics.
And for another 'Young at Heart" love story, read about Cynthia and Howard, wed after 63 years apart.
Thanks to Alethea for sharing the lovely story of a creative and heart-felt ceremony honoring the special connection between Jack and June.
"When love comes into your life, it’s almost like the dawn breaking within your heart.” ~ John O'Donohue
Hear John O'Donohue share more celtic wisdom on soul friendships and other topics.
And for another 'Young at Heart" love story, read about Cynthia and Howard, wed after 63 years apart.
Thanks to Alethea for sharing the lovely story of a creative and heart-felt ceremony honoring the special connection between Jack and June.
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