In the house that I (Tuli) grew up in India, there is a Magnolia champaca planted in memory of a neighborhood man who served in the Indian armed forces along the disputed border of Kashmir. We had grown up together, playing hide and go seek, chasing each other, swinging from climbing frames and sharing a see-saw. Many of the neighborhood kids gathered in our garden since ours was the only house with a patch of green lawn, other’s homes being in apartment buildings, and my parents loved hearing the shrieks of young children at play. 

The tree is huge. We didn’t expect it to grow so large. It’s planted by the boundary wall and is pushing against it. Every time I visit, I think of my friend, and his lost life, dying as he did so young, in service to his country. Seeing that tree keeps his memory alive for me and in a powerful way, is healing. 

This Memorial Day weekend, I will once again bring my childhood friend to mind, to honor and remember. Our lives are impacted and impactful, however insignificant they might seem to us in our moments of doubt. Yesterday marked a year since the murder of George Floyd - I know how much has shifted for me as the fight for accountability for the deaths of Breonna, Rodney, Tamir, Jacob and so many others continues. 

What, beloved, has shifted for you? What impact are you having on the world?

As Unitarian Universalists, taking time to reflect brings us deeper into community with one another.

With healing energy coming your way,

Tuli (with Revs. Emilie and Robin).