Appreciating the life and legacy of Jamie McEwan who Kaelan got to know through boating as did many of course. Kaelan's Dad David boated along with Jamie and locals who were called the HACKS, Housatonic Area Canoe and Kayak Squad...I'm sure Kaelan was counted a member and his passing moved the boating community (with reflections in the Hartford Courant about his passing as Dave's son in the river they both loved...)

 This is the day 11 years ago that Kaelan's body took a final run...from the Falls to the Covered Bridge. The strangeness of that happening can prompt more reflection about 'what we may not imagine or have thought to consider' about what happens after someone's last breath, last heartbeat....

Well, in Kaelan's case, that seemed to break open our community's hearts with concern first to save the friend he went into get, and thankfully successfully...then to appreciate big-time that Kaelan had rescued two others while he was still on shore. 

Their three lives represent 33 years more living than they otherwise would have had. Whether Kaelan's heroic love, courage and skill were instrumental in saving his third friend who was about 20 feet in the river or more (not just near the shore, so Skip Kosciusko said it was incredible could brave and negotiate the water to reach his friend.) His friend and a psychic told me that Kaelan did reach his friend...and gave him a push. That happened to be the reason the psychic said that Kaelan went under at that time. 

His friend also went under briefly then resurfaced and found a point along the edge to cling to on the rocks, buying him precious moments. Then Skip came down on a rope from high above and put a harness loop around the terrified teen. 

They were parted by rushing waters from the fall briefly and there was no guarantee he'd reach him again and get him up safely with the falls pounding on Skip's clothing to the point of ripping his pants. Thankfully they were okay...and with the police there, they would not let him go down again, even though he realized by then that Kaelan had been there though was not seen again...until his body resurfaced in the fast river and was carried down the Housatonic River seven miles. 

With a trainman spotting him around 7am, his body was recovered around 7:30am. Ths psychic Patti Sinclair had told a friend of ours that he would be found that day and he didn't want his parents and family to see his body. I learned that from a friend who thankfully had bumped into Patti and she was able to convey that message. When I later met her at a retreat she smiled when recalling hearing from Kaelan and that he told her 'Michael Jackson would be coming over soon..." 

On Thursday, June 25th, that was the case. It is also the day Kaelan's body was cremated. His headstone was donated to us from the place that was also near the river in Cornwall Bridge. Many people donated to help with a lovely Memorial Service that is on youtube in short parts. That part of our shared journey tied many parts of the Palmer and Paton family and friends circles together to help our hearts mend...a process that continues through the seasons of each year and now decade plus one more year.

 The time is really mystical as are many aspects of living in small communities over generations. Both sets of Kaelan's grandparents lived locally and have now all passed away...yet in my heart and visions I have senses  (and have been assured as much from many psychics) that they are all okay and went over in their time to help us and keep an eye on things until they reincarnate, some of whom may have done so already.

 I haven't really found a way to connect with that potential reality other than to hold in special regard every child I've met since Kaelan's passing...and really lean into the 'wonder of it all' that we have so many in our family and friends circles who live with that higher sense of purpose, helping others, giving their all, enjoying life and becoming more engaged with justice and environmental causes. 

The spiritual realm and religious circles were the main times my kids would hear about  caring for others but with the circles of friends in folk music and our large family hearing about 'older people getting, sick, others needing help and donating to causes in Haiti or in NYC after 9/11' the idea caught on fast.

 With local losses of teachers and friends they knew (including a few from Sharon Center School and KarenKisslinger.com who set up programs and whose family were close family friends) our sense of community in heaven has been rounding out.

 We don't want it to get too big too fast, but realize much of that is not quite in our control. I cared for many people before becoming a Mom and over the course of the last few decades as well. One of them had lost a daughter in a strange accident a few decades ago.

 She had shared she felt her daughter's spirit was at peace and spoke endearingly of that palpable love for her even after she'd been gone. I saw her a few weeks before Kaelan's passing and we recognized each other...but I also felt there was a forewarning in meeting her about my kids safety since her only daughter had passed in that way. 

I had been having life experiences of hearing of someone's trouble in criminal and divorce court, parenting, custody, being separated from their kids 'as an unintended consequence' for years...and then I'd find those things happening to me.

Now I consider the possibility that as I was 'Calling All Angels' to get through years of difficulty Prior to Kaelan's passing (and not getting to see him for a few years...) that those were part of the warning and guidance system...reminding me of what Could happen in the realm of modern possibilities in the midst of otherwise 'normal living' and preparing me to seek inner peace, caring and creative responses. We could still use prayers for healing as a family, groups of friends and wider community...and particularly with COVID19 and #BlackLivesMatter the forum for care, change, advocacy and healing is 'wide open.'

 I am hoping that our shared experiences and commitment to caring, healing and seeking better responses and advocacy to prevent harm in all realms from the river on the land to the river of circulation and blood health in our systems can be part of the game plan.

 I blog a lot on Livfully.org and can use help figuring out next steps and taking this peace on earth, good will toward all to that Olympic Level of Love and Advocacy to see what the world and our hearts look like from that vantage point. Peace  light,love and HugEnergy to those here and above...Let's walk in peace with a shared vision of prosperity and wellness and good ol' friendship as our guides.

See information online about A Tribute:  RIP Jamie McEwan from Paddling Magazine to appreciate more about the life and legacy of Jamie McEwan and others in the beginning years of the whitewater boating sport which Kaelan's Dad David Paton still enjoys along as does Devon McEwan competitively and many others paddling in their pathways...