Connie Chandler-Ward

April 2, 2018

For the moment, there are no words

to convey how much Connie is cherished by us all

and how much she will be missed.

Wonderful interview with Connie (part 1)

Part 2

From Connie to her beloved Northfield Community:

Thank you for being the people you are
to create the community we are.
Thank you for the songs that remembered
and lifted the soul.
Thank you for daring to open enough
for the shadow to be included.
Thank you for the skills offered
and received.
Thank you for birthing, year after year,
another wondrous week!
Thank you.

Connie’s Poem about Aging:

Now I am old.

 Now I have no use for the habit of protection.

 I feel most of all what has been feared and refused.

 From my heart’s isolated chambers there flows ache and gratitude.

 Together they melt into a strange love.

 Love even everywhere

 And right now

 in this moment,

 my single song.

 

Kathy and I (Peter) were so fortunate to be able to attend the memorial service for Connie this past Saturday. There were about 25 Northfielders there, it was wonderful to share memories of Connie and to see her wider circles of friends. 

The following morning, I captured some video clips of Tenants Harbor, Connie’s home of 28 years. As soon as I started editing this into a movie, I realized that without conscious intention, I was creating a tribute to Connie. I have made so hundreds of movies over the last three years, but none of them brought me to tears like this one did. I hope you can watch this 2 minute movie at a moment when you have some peace and quiet, and can float and soar in to the memories of Connie, including her love of community, nature, art, music, and spirituality.