Memorial

A few images from our memorial for Jess

Dear Jess,

I am grateful for the gift of your friendship. When we first met at the Cabbage School, I felt an instant intimacy with you. You led us in ritual and immediately showed me there was something dangerous behind all of your gestures. It felt like our conversation started there and just continued to deepen. For the better half of decade, we wove our lives together through conspiracy after conspiracy, visions, and experiments. I was attracted to your practice of ecstatic joy, and I feel so fortunate to have encountered your sheer force. Our friendship gave me the opportunity to demonstrate my fidelity to the truths that Clark showed me, and to welcome the truths you were teaching me, and I thank you for that. 

I’ve felt a deep bond with you. Like something old and worn to pieces. I’ve felt protective of you, wanted to go to war with you, for you. I remember seeing your tears in a meeting, and wanting to stomp someone's face. I remember how you healed me at Deep May with your friend’s ancient cherry syrup. And how you grabbed me and walked me through that muddy forest road, whispering, as I followed in the moonlight of yall’s psychedelic trip. I’ve been inspired by your ambition, and affected by your tenderness. You’ve guided me with both wisdom and play, strength and vulnerability. You’ve helped me consider what it means to have been a warrior, who now has to grow. You’ve shown me in practice that desire can be decisive, and that joy and frivolity is still also found in the serious labor of revolution. 

Thank you for teaching me the song of the earth–through the worlds of the shaker song we sang together in high grass, and on hills, in the twilight of a thousand fireflies. With you, I’ve dwelled in our glacier’s path. First, in distance and yearning, then a mere 45 min drive. Together, we’ve been carried by the seasons, talking with excited anticipation when it seemed like civilization was falling apart, and sharing in the darkness when winter came. You’ve been my confidant and co-conspirator. We’ve shared a form of life, knowing the pleasure and burden of tending to our critters–nurturing the lives we would have to take. With your spark, and magic, you’ve helped me learn gratitude from the beings with whom we share the earth. 

Our children feel our bonds, and share their own. I’m forever indebted to you and your life. And I will carry every gift you’ve shared with me close to my heart and share them with the generosity you’ve shown me. I love you Jess. Thank you for everything. And I hope to meet again. May you rest in peace and join with the power that moves all of us. 

In friendship and devotion,

MJ