Memorial Gathering

On April 22, about 30 people gathered at Dawn's and Barry's house in Walnut Creek for the purpose of remembering Bruce Noble and celebrating the life that he lived. Some of us had not seen each other in many years, a few of us had never met. All of us had some connection to Bruce, and through him, to each other. The sun was shining, though rain had been predicted. We walked up to the amazing oak tree and settled ourselves in its long welcoming branches which provided seating at various levels. Poems were read--some from people unable to join the gathering--memories from over the years were shared, stories were told. I think Jeff Love pretty much summed it up when he stood, stretched his arms toward the sky and shouted out "We love you Bruce!" Osha had Bruce's ashes in a large container and those who wished to took a handful and scattered them around the magnificent tree or took some with them to scatter or bury elsewhere. We walked back down to the house to share the food, sitting in small groups indoors and outdoors to continue sharing both humorous and poignant remembrances of our contact with Bruce. Osha read aloud the Zen story of the 10 Bulls which Bruce had always loved. It was a sweet day.

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Saturday, February 10, 2007

Murray Kennedy

In 1982 Bruce and I did one of Osha’s Intensives up at Origin. I was a traditionalist at the time and pressured Osha to have us do the late night dyad on the second night. Osha agreed to my request, which meant the whole intensive - Bruce included - had to stay up - because of me. But Bruce didn’t want to stay up, he wanted to go to bed! What ensued was one painful dyad. I found out Bruce wasn’t a guy you really wanted to piss off.
The years passed. In 2003 circumstances conspired. I was getting a lift to the Annual with Dawn. When I got to her place Dawn blithely told me were taking Bruce too.
Oh oh!
We went by his place. I knocked on his door. He opened it and saw me standing there. Poor Bruce. He had no warning. It was like he was looking at a ghost. So he hadn’t forgotten our last-dyad brouhaha either.
But being together in the car gave us the opportunity to face what happened between us. It's a tribute to Bruce that he brought it up.
Without my saying a word, he told me for years he had been distressed about what he'd said to me. He expressed deep remorse about it, and apologized to me in a truly heart felt way. All this he volunteered; - gave out of his heart, his generosity, his integrity. I didn't have to ask. He just gave - that was his nature.
It was very beautiful, and I was so touched and felt so happy and free.
I loved Bruce (we did Andrew's Wilderness Two Week together, so we knew one another very well). I hated being out of harmony with him and I was so glad to be friends again.
It's funny how it goes; when Dawn said we were driving Bruce up too, I stiffened inside. I dreaded meeting him.
But the thing I least wanted to happen turned out to be the best thing that could have happened, a total blessing, on both of us. Sweet forgiveness.
I was thankful for it then I am even more thankful for it now that he is gone out of this life. He was a great soul.
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