When We Die
Not surprisingly, January is the month that the most people die in the U.S. The reasons are varied. Over 250,000 people have died in January in each of the past 10–15 years, four to 12% more than in each of the other months. Colder months typically require that the...
Christmas Around the World
The meaning and spirit of Christmas, at its best, is one of hope and community. It is a history that has developed and changed over the centuries, primarily in Europe and the United States. Because of the positive and inclusive message, the tradition of Christmas has...
The Concept and Practice of Dana
The practice of dana, or generosity, is a Buddhist concept that seeks to liberate us from feelings of separateness and alienation. For years, I sought to be of service to individuals, to groups, to a cause. I was seeking to be virtuous. I thought I was, until one day,...
Searching for a Master
As I study and follow the Enlightened Ones I defer my own enlightenment Surrendering to a hunger for Truth and Simplicity To be enlightened is to follow, surrender, sit, and struggle Open the third eye and be blinded Rest in the boiling sun and walk unshod among the...
Life Review Before We Are Dying
Recently, I was with some men friends as we spent time with one who was having health difficulties and was just finishing a chemotherapy series. We are all older – the early 60s to late 70s. As we chatted and reminisced about our youth, our adventures and...
A Dark Time
I wrote this poem for a recent online remembrance service for Mission Hospice, where I have been a volunteer for 12 years. We were remembering the many people under the care of Mission Hospice who died during the pandemic, many of whom were isolated and could not have...
A Step Into the Unknown
The path to Death’s door is busy, joyous and tragic by turns The threshold is ripe with expectation, sometimes crowded with companions Stepping through the door, running or heels dragging, open-eyed Beyond the threshold opens to unknown wonders, great mystery None can...
Feathers
Crystals are often associated with spiritual matters, including death, dying and the afterlife. So, too, feathers symbolize being close to the spirit realm. Feathers represent ascension, spirit, flight and even heaven. It is sometimes said that when a feather is found...
Feathers and Found Things
Coming to the Website Will Holsinger is an author, attorney and artist, not necessarily in that order. This website is devoted to his personal reflections and writings, focusing on his book A Life Well Lived, A Death Well Met and on his Feathers and Found Things,...
Sitting Vigil
Waiting my turn to sit silent with Bill He is waiting, too but not for you or me Bill is waiting for the path to be clear the light to be bright the curtain to be opened wide to be called home I am merely a companion for the briefest of moments, perhaps witness to an...