As the days and weeks of 2021 are swiftly passing by, I come to the month of March with great anticipation. February now behind us as an interesting and dynamic memory. I am compelled to say that February had quite a profound impact on my heart. Just a few days into the month we learned that Tommy DeSalvo made his transition from this world to the next adventure of his soul.
A tremendous privilege and a great honor to stand present at such times in a person’s life. To honor the days of a person’s living and to bless their soul’s journey onward calls me first to the reality of our human frailty and also to the eternal nature of our soul. I wear this role as a mantle of love, divine love that connects us one with another in this earthly realm and throughout all space and time.
It was with Tommy, an extraordinary gift to usher his journey to the next iteration of his soul and there was in equal measure, great sadness in my heart. The sadness that I felt was for myself and for each person who read these words. I felt sad for us not being able to see Tommy in the flesh literally rise from the piano bench as spirit lifted him into the music that poured from his fingertips. To watch for that moment when Tommy transcended the confines of humanness and became Spirit playing those eighty-eight keys was a sight to behold. I often imagine each of the black and white keys beneath his hand vying for attention shouting “play me, play me, here I am, play me please!” As silly as it may sound that what I often thought when Tommy sat at the piano to share his magical gift of music with us. He shared himself, his love, and his music with Unity on Greenville for a little over forty-two years. For the remainder of my days, there shall remain a space in my heart that only Tommy DeSalvo and his glorious music can fill. There will always be the space held for the many dimensions of Tommy - Unity pianist, light of love, and treasured friend.
Mere days after Tommy’s burial, my heart was once again deeply saddened with the news of dear Washuntara making his transition from this earthly realm to what waits in the beyond. For those who met Wash, he is a force of nature. Each time he entered my home, my crew (Micah, Sophia, Arthur) were drawn toward him. My crew loved him and he loved my crew. Washuntara, shared his enormous heart with all creatures. His energy and essence lingered in my home for days after his departure reminding me of the power of love and our charge to share love. Like Tommy yet very different than Tommy, Wash also had an incredible gift of music. Whether gracing our space at Unity or a concert in my backyard as a singer, songwriter, Washuntara entertained and touched us with his gifts. So very many people across the globe were inspired with his presence of love and talents as a musician. His well-known song, “You Can’t Stop Love” is a staple at Unity on Greenville celebration services.
My heart was heavy oh, so very heavy. The grief took my breath away each time I thought of the finality of the human expression of these two giants in my life and I wept. Each time I thought about the love I felt so deeply for Tommy and Washuntara and the gift of being a recipient of their love, I smiled with a heart full of gratitude. I have learned in this life that I cannot walk away from grief, I tried that in the past to no avail. You know the saying “wherever you go, there you are”. So, into the depth of grief for the passing of these two beloveds, I sat. I sat on my sofa, I sat on my patio, I sat in my rocking chair, and I sat on my cushion to meditate and contemplate. I sat, and in the sitting, I wept, and I felt all that grief would have me feel. Each time I thought I had no more tears to cry, more tears fell.
While the sadness is real, so are the joys and the thankfulness that my life was so very blessed to be connected to these precious souls. The sadness begins to soften in time and the sweet memories of friendship comfort my heart. In time, I shall smile with the thought of my dear friend Washuntara and Tommy before a tear falls. This shall be a sign that time’s passing mends the heart and seals love securely in the sweet memory of my friends. Their music shall cause me to dance and sing all of my days. Their love shall remind me of God’s greatest gift indeed – Love. And I will always know “once you get it started, watch what it does. It’ll go full circle. You can’t stop love”.
For now, there may be another tear that falls, there may be another thought of sadness, and greater than this there will always be grateful. I am endlessly grateful for the music Tommy and Washuntara shared so willingly and with such love with our world. I believe they shall live and love on through all eternity. I believe we shall all be connected one with another in the precious circle of life.
Bless the soul journey of our beloved Tommy DeSalvo and Washuntara.
Much love, many blessings,
Rev. Karen