It is with great sadness to hear about Michael White passing on.  I can't help but remember our work we did with him in the Neighbouring Communities Project.  I witnessed his gentleness and patience as our team of Caledonia and surrounding community members, and Six Nations members worked through developing our own working relationship. Michael allowed us to laugh, to cry, to complain and to challenge.  And yes, to take control when we believed we had to do so. He never once demanded that he be the one in control, but always had faith that we would work it through and come out on the other side, with more respect and love for each other.  And he was right, we did!

I remember being amazed with his presence within the community meetings.  He had the confidence and the faith in our team to allow us to host these community meetings.  Once again, he never demanded to take control, even though we were unsure of the process and did make many mistakes. I also remember my husband asking which one is Michael White and when he saw him, he said, "He looks like just a regular guy."  I smiled and said, he was.  I told my husband what a compliment he just gave him because Michael has worked with many, many communities on a community development level.  It was not Michael's role to take control; who needs another outsider to come in with solutions?  Michael was wise enough to know it was his role to find community people, teach them, and take a back seat.  To be the wind beneath our wings, and to allow us to fly the way we needed to ourselves.  But I must say, Michael absolutely amazed me when he sat down with his lap top, organized us all and formulated the results of our individual interviews.  I watched a Master at his work and I was in awe with how well he quickly organized all that information. 

I remember feeling so honoured to be learning from a man whose technique I studied in school.  And now that he has passed on, I feel so lucky that he was sent here  to help and teach us his Narrative Therapy.  I realize now that he was in the "elder phase" of his life, with just a overwhelming need to give, to teach, to help, and pass on his knowledge before he passed on.  Our communities were in such need and the Creator sent us an angel to help us to overcome the conflict and pain between our two neighbouring communities. Thank you Michael for saying, "Yes" to the call to come and work with us here.  You have helped to make us all more loving and accepting of each other.  With your influence we have become a better community.  We are slowly building a better relationship with each other now.  For that, I will always be grateful.  Onah keh wah heh My Fri end... Until We Meet Again! Sandi

Condolence:

Remembering Michael White

Michael (somehow I know you will get your email).  You did "travel like the wind", touching everyone everywhere as you globe trotted here on earth just as you will on your ongoing spirit journey. I want to express my gratitude to all of our communities for being in places of action, giving rise to the places of action giving rise to the possibilities of furthering our love and caring for one another.  I will always remember being witness to your brilliance and reminding me of the gifts of the story. Much, much gratitude for our team of neighbours.  Forever in my heart.  Dianne B.

Michael White... So layed back, kind, caring, wise, respectful, harmonious, creative, real with spirit.  He encouraged unconditional love among us; he encouraged our philosophy of life; he encouraged and taught a tool of how to return to "our ways" when trauma occurred in our communities.  Just like he entered into our circles, he excited the same way; I have much gratitude and respect for Michael; they say people come into our lives for a reason, season,  or a lifetime. HE IS LIKE THE WIND... HE WILL ALWAYS BE IN "OUR" WIND; he fulfilled his journey with sharing his wisdom and his journey is now done here on earth, forever grateful to gaining powerful, caring and respecting relationships that Michael encouraged.  Nya:weh, your friend Peggy L.

SEASON, SEASON, or a LIFETIME

People come into your life for a REASON, a SEASON, or a LIFETIME

When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons:

those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway): and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships in your life

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

When people come into your life for a SEASON:

it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.  They may bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.  They may teach you something you have never done.  They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe It! It is real!

But, only for a second!

When someone has come into your life for a REASON:

it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.  They may seem like a godsend and they are.  They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then without any wrongdoing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will do or say something that brings the relationship to an end.  Sometimes they die.  Sometimes they walk away.  Sometimes they act up, or out, and force you to take a stand.  What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

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