Three years ago our very dear friend Mike Durschmid passed on. We often don't have words that can adequately convey mourning, as our bodies and hearts sometimes can't even process such a change. In the moment, death might very well encompass our thoughts and emotions, but we are often expected to process everything in a timely manner.

When mourning is placed in a small time frame for the sake of moving on with life we often leave so much uncovered. The shock of not being able to readily sit next to someone for advice, support, or laughter can numb us with sadness. As I sit tonight and imagine Mike across from me I can smile about what we might be laughing about or contemplating over a cold beer and I feel a different sense of mourning. The long talks around dreams about working together at Wild Earth and the joyful hope that is vegan permaculture, are things I deeply miss. It was always something I took for granted, working with him for long hours in the fields, gardens, and barns of Wild Earth. Now, he is with me in many ways that still brings smiles or tears, and sometimes both of these at the same time. Mourning is a process that changes over time, as much as everything else around us.

The seasons bring us new memories and with all the changes we have to expect our own stories to also change. The opportunity to mourn in so many different ways is incredibly powerful--it is healing and necessary. There is much to mourn over from the past year of the pandemic, things that were so new, that they didn't even have those familiar first stages of mourning. Properly allowing that space to heal and process the fear we ourselves and those around us have been holding onto is going to be critical. Listening to the adaption and cycles of life around us can teach us and guide us through the process.

I miss Mike, sometimes very acutely, and sometimes in a very general sense. Wild Earth will always reflect our friend, and will always have space for the energy of love and compassion Mike brought here.

You can learn more about Mike here. Please support our Mike N. Durschmid Memorial Permaculture Pollinator Garden.

With love,
Joe