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If you wish to read or share thoughts of Cynthia, this is the place. I intend to post instructions for folks to post blogs here that others can comment on. At the moment there is only one thread of comments. Thanks, Josh
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This is where you can leave your thoughts, stories or feelings.
josh
“Don’t put your tomatoes out before April” firmly said Cynthia one spring before yoga class started.
Being new to the area a few years ago, I took her words with great meaning, and EVERY March when the temptation strikes, I sit tight with my little seedlings and think of Cynthia’s.
Many thanks to Josh Freeman & his buddies for this memorial web site, and to Bob McKee for his NF Blog tribute to Cynthia. What wonderful, caring, talented people we have in North Fork. Somehow, I feel that Cynthia’s death will bring us together in new ways, as our sharing ripples all around us. PS
PS – and I’ve learned that Jennifer Noble and Jack McGowan collaborated with Bob McKee on the NF Blog’s tribute to Cynthia, so I extend my thanks to them as well.
Message: I attended a California Solar Energy Industries Association meeting on Friday, March 14. Cynthia and Don were both there, as always. I hugged Cynthia and commented to her how I was always pleased to see she and Don. Cynthia told me that they would always be at the meetings. I think Cynthia was giving me a hidden message and that she will be with us always, just as she told me.
I will miss Cynthia personally and professionaly. Her sparkling eyes and enlightened soul will stay with me forever.
From Ed Murray at Aztec Solar
Cynthia was like a peaceful anchorage–good to
hold onto in wave upon wave of anywhere. I loved her & our modest chats. I miss her terribly.
Rita Byxbe
Berkeley
I got to know Cynthia almost 14 years ago and loved her from the very first moment we shared in womens group. She always brought me peace and happiness with her unforgettable smile.
No matter how long apart, when ever we came together, it was as if no time had passed between us. That was one of her special gifts!
I know we will all miss her dearly but, I now have a very special, smiling angel too.
Blessings, Maureen
Just back from bringing my Mother to care for at Home, waiting for Yoga…..with Cynthia. In response to her how are you, I said well ya know………and she did. She talked with me about taking care of HER Mom….and then I knew too. Life IS amazing. We’re ALL in it Together. And it IS OK. Thank you, m’Lady, for Being in it with us ALL, Now and Forevermore. It does make a Divine Difference, and our hearts are sustained in your Blessing. Ava
I liked this “spunky” lady I kept running into when I moved to North Fork. When I learned that she was celebrating her birthday at The Studio I brought her a poem. She stood up and proudly read it to the full house of friends:
A SONG FOR CYNTHIA
Cynthia
sweet Cynthia
now that you’re sixty-five
whatever you do
whatever you choose
it’s good to hear you jive.
Cynthia
sweet Cynthia
age: our permission slip
now that you’re sixty-five
it’s good to hear you jive.”
i love you Don
I am still a bit speechless about this.
First we cry and then we remember.
All my condolences.
last year when I was going through cancer treatment Cynthia talked to me about it. I thought she was being inordinately concerned for someone who knew her so little. After hearing the comments at Three Springs I realize how extraordinary she was in that regard, and how lucky I was to have such an ally. I knew her so little and now I miss her more than ever. If there’s anything I can do Don please let me help.
Proud to be a crone, Cynthia was ready with advice and reassurance that everything is going to be all right. And when she said it, somehow I could believe it.
Cynthia was my friend and a valued contributor to forming state solar energy policies. Her expertise, grace in the face of adversity, and infectious smile will be in my memories forever.
Cynthia especially liked it when we held a meeting at a hotel/spa – she would always thank me for scheduling meetings at special places to work and relax. She’d have so much fun and would arrive at the board meeting radiating peace and happiness!
Cynthia’s presence will always be missed at our meetings.
The CALSEIA Board sends its condolences to Don, family, and friends – you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sue Kateley, Executive Director
California Solar Energy Industries Association
Cynthia and Don and I met in 1978 when we all started Sierra Sharecroppers Co-op in North Fork, the precursor of Up Country. We have worked together on many co-op projects since and after I moved to the nursery, at many Harvest Festivals. I have so many memories of her through the years playing music, chickens in her house, sharing/teaching about solar with folks, hugging me, being so very supportive of me and all I have ever done. She is a bright light of beauty and grace and always will be, forever more. Cynthia I love you.
Cynthia was the quint essential flower child. She encouraged all to stop and smell the roses,as she did. I messaged my son to tell him that Cynthia had passed. I said, “she was a grand lady”. His reply, “she was a great lady”! That says it all.
I would like too express my condolences to Don and his family. I am so sorry for your loss. I looked forward too seeing and hearing from Don and Cynthia at the CALSIEA meetings. She was never afraid too speak her mind and I always liked that. I know no words I have will ease the pain that you feel right now but Gods hand on your heart in time can and will. My thoughts are with you Don and your family
Cynthia’s being has always been a blessing… As witnessed by the love shared here. Rest assured that a spirit such as hers is alive and well and will remain a blessing to all that she touched. Don, our hearts and prayers are with you and yours. I’ll miss Cynthia, but I’ll still look forward to seeing you
Pray for Sun!
Don
Being in So Calif almost full-time on business, it’s hard for me to express my concern in person. But I think of you so often, knowing the ache in your heart. I’ll see you at the Memorial next week but meanwhile can mostly send hugs through the ether and on this wonderful web site your friends have created and exand…Cynthia’s spirit did and does reverberate wide and far. And your own presence has meant so much to our community. We all grieve at your side –Sarah Rah
Don, I only met you and Cynthia just last year and in that short time I’ve come to respect and appreciate you both very much. Cynthia’s input and contribution to the solar community was passionate and determined. She will be missed. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
this website is so beautiful. thank you josh. (i don’t have his email,
please thank him for me.) i am holding cynthia and everyone so close in
my heart. i carried an orchid to the memorial garden in golden gate park
and read the poem that barry sent and ran around whispering words of love
to the trees in cynthia’s name. i can’t believe she’s gone, so suddenly.
one of the things she taught me was how to accept complements with grace.
i remember when i would give her massages and tell her that she had a
beautiful body and she would reply, Yes I know, isn’t it true? I’m
fabulous!
she was the first elder woman in my life who really embodied how i wanted
to grow into my own crazy wisdom – she was an irreverant goddess, so full
of life and creativity.
Channeling Cynthia
I have been in spiritual retreat for the past five weeks in India, on the banks of the Ganges above Rishikesh. It’s been a very transformative time for me but I don’t want to distract from my message by focusing on myself.
Checking my messages, just before attending a spiritual program, I got the news that our dear friend Cynthia suddenly passed from this world. Immediately I sent my heart out to her in Love and resolved to keep the vibration of her Spirit close as I meditated. That afternoon and also another day, I had very clear and heartfelt communions with Cynthia. I understand the seriousness of speaking for someone who has departed and cannot speak for themselves, but my inner connection with Cynthia was so real and so clear that I feel a clear conscious in characterizing what follows as a message from Cynthia rather than “What Karl thinks Cynthia would say.”
Messages received as thought-feeling transmissions on an inner level require me to coat them in a final layer of words, but here is how my heart tells me to paraphrase what Cynthia would like to communicate.
“I lived a wonderful life around so many wonderful people. Don’t feel sorry for me because I’m gone because happiness can’t begin to describe the Love and Joy that I experience now. Please don’t be mad at me for leaving when I did. I accomplished what I needed to do in that life, and I have another adventure to go on now.
I understand my dear friends will be sad to see me go, so it’s fine if you want to go ahead and cry, but please let them be sweet tears of Love, sharing your heart with me and everyone around you.
One of the greatest blessings of my life has been healing the sacred feminine principle within. My heart is now filled with waves of the sweetest Love for everyone. I’m swimming in a sea of Oneness, Freedom and Light, and I just want to pour it out on you all. I have a few things to say, please don’t blame Karl if any of it bothers you.
First of all, I Love you all without any reservations. I had the greatest family and the greatest community that anyone could hope for. I Love Don with an overflowing heart. I want my kids to know that I love them with all my heart and that I hold nothing, absolutely nothing negative between us. Just to make sure, if any of you imagine that “what about that one little issue, or big issue? Did Cynthia really let that go? The answer is absolutely yes. I have nothing but Love for my Kids, Don, my friends in North Fork and Everywhere. I forgive everyone that ever hurt me, and I’m so, so sorry for all the hurt that I ever caused. I don’t feel guilty, because being a human causes us to make mistakes. That’s OK. But I’m sorry for every hurt, big or small.
I know everyone is going to feel that it’s too early to say this, but this is the time I have to say it: I Love Don. He’s a wonderful man and I highly recommend him to any wonderful woman who could be lucky enough to share with him. He’s got too much Life and Love to lock himself away so I want everyone to support him in whatever choices he makes. I love you so, so, so much Don.”
That’s the gist of what I felt Cynthia was communicating. There was a great deal of feeling her expansion and celebration of Spirit and Love without the slightest negativity. While many in our community recognize that Cynthia was a highly spiritual and loving being, I imagine that the humble and sweet way she carried herself might tempt us to underestimate her true greatness. Over and over, I felt the best way to characterize Cynthia’s death is as an “Ascension.” The healing that she experienced in her Heart in Life contributed to the Light on the planet by uplifting consciousness and particularly the divine feminine principle that we all have a share of.
After a deep session of meditating with Cynthia’s spirit, I ran out onto my balcony and screamed “Cynthia!!!” to the Ganges. The Ganges also represents the divine feminine and I wanted to celebrate Cynthia’s victory in Freedom and a life well lived.
Of course, I’ll miss Cynthia. I can’t squeeze her or receive her love at community gatherings now, but this experience has made me so much infinitely closer to the Heart of this Saintly (not her word) woman that a part of her is deeply with me. When I think of her my heart busts open and the borders of my mind dissolve in pure Love.
Let’s honor Cynthia and remember all her wonder. Let’s cry a river Ganges of tears for our friend, but, if you can, just make them Sweet tears, that open your Heart to share your own Love with others. That’s the blessing that Cynthia wants to leave with us, She needs to be free, and we need to set her free. In a very real way, a big part of Cynthia has become Love itself, and we partake in her company whenever we open to Love in our hearts.
In gratitude, love and respect
Achal Baba (Karl)
Cynthia had such bright light radiating from her heart. Life will go on in our small town, now without our good friend, but her memory will stay with the people who live here and her spirit will live in their hearts. Her spirit will live in the trees, the rocks, the streams. My spring flowers and the sunshine that makes them bloom will reflect her great passion for life. We will miss you Cynthia. You are still our beautiful butterfly.
The Yogini’s Yogini
Cynthia was instrumental in inviting me and my sister Catherine to the Mill to teach yoga for the last several years.
Our connection was mainly through yoga, and I always was inspired by her quiet but strongly grounded dedication to the practice.
At the same time, she was always willing to go with the flow if we were late or tired in the morning. Her loving connection always reinvigorated us.
She was a wonderful bearer of light and love. I will SO miss her presence at camp! But she will definitely be there in her strong spirit, guiding us and continuing to inspire.
with lots of love, Barbara
Just the little bit I got to know Cynthia at Sweet’s Mill was enough to give me a lasting memory of her brightness and loving heart. She knew how to live and will continue to be an inspiration. I see her now in our yoga class completely at ease in a deep forward bend, going with the flow, bowing to the moment. I will really miss her.
first shock. How could this happen to my strong and beautiful role model?.to someone who made getting older look fun and desirable?
memories of cynthia filter in- Letting me test drive her little blue Rav 4 that I wanted so I could be just like her, the big 2000 New Years bash at Don and Cynthia’s how wonderful the music was and the company. Cynthia inviting me to Sweet’s Mill. That meant so much to me. When I left North Fork, Cynthia gave me a Ganesha to hang round my neck. The playful Hindu elephant God. He helps us overcome obstacles. Elephants are Matriachal. And we have lost a great Matriarch.She was playful and she has overcome the final obstacle. And I hope when it is my time I go with grace and style like my role model Cynthia
Thank you Josh and love to Don
We sure coulda done with another 20 years of her!