Strawberry Story: Freddie the Leaf

Break out the Kleenex- let's talk about The Fall of Freddy the Leaf by Leo Buscalgia

Mom had this book in her "Death and Dying" arsenal for counseling.  It's an an outstanding tool to teach and talk to children about those tough topics.  I actually got to meet Leo Buscalgia as a child and hear him read it.

A few years ago I took a graduate seminar in Curriculum Construction and Design at University of Kentucky.  We incorporated the book into our final presentation answering "What does it mean to be human?"  I completely broke down during the final performance...it's like I had blinders on up until that moment and didn't realize how much the book would affect me.

Here's a short excerpt:

"What's happening?" they asked each other in whispers.
"It's what happens in Fall," Daniel told them. "It's the time for leaves to change their home. Some people call it to die."
"Will we all die?" Freddie asked.
"Yes," Daniel answered. "Everything dies. No matter how big or small, how weak or strong. We first do our job. We experience the sun and the moon, the wind and the rain. We learn to dance and to laugh. Then we die."

You can find a full copy of the text on the Achieving Balance website.

Strawberry Story: Do not stand at my grave and weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there I do not sleep

Do not stand at my grave and mourn

I am not there I have been born

I am the four strong winds that blow

I am the diamond glint on snow

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there I do not sleep

Do not stand at my grave and mourn

I am not there I have been born

I am the sunlight on ripened grain

I am the gentle autumn rain

When you wake in the morning hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight

I am the soft starlight at night

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there I do not sleep

Do not stand at my grave and mourn

I am not there I have been born

I LOVE this poem.  I first learned it as a song in Silver and Burgundy Singers at Blevins Junior High.  I heard it again at Virginia Satir's memorial in Crested Butte in 1988 (photo above is from her balloon releasing in 1987 one year earlier from http://satirtraining.org/training/general_information).  And of course I think of it every time I see a diamond glint on snow or need my own morning uplifting rush.

Authorship of the poem is an interesting divergent story.  Read website of authorship debated for more information.