Llyr’s Fire 2014
I am once again honored to be a guest blogger on The Daily Corgi and have the opportunity to tell you about Llyr’s Fire, an event very dear to my heart and the heart of Corgi Nation.
It all started with a precious fluffy Corgi named Llyr who suffered from DM (Degenerative Myelopathy), a chronic and progressive disease that affects the spinal cord and a dog’s ability to walk. After a long battle, Llyr told his mum Amy D. it was time to go. With a heavy heart, Amy advised The Corgi Nation that June 21, 2012 would be the day Llyr joined her beloved Gwennan Girl at the Bridge.
In 2012, June 21 was the day after the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Western Hemisphere. I have a fire every year on the summer solstice, and in 2012 I decided to dedicate my fire to Llyr on his last night with Amy.
On Monday, June 18, 2012 I created a Facebook event called Llyr’s Fire and invited everyone I could think of who might want to come. They, in turn, invited others. The page was a place to post the names of any beloved ones, four or two footed, who had passed. It was a place to grieve, to remember, to celebrate. I thought I would get a few names; in the two days the page was up, I received over 400 names. Corgis, other dogs, kitties, horses, people — so many names shared. I was honored to be invited into so many people’s grief. I told each one I would speak the name of their beloved ones, then speak the name of the requester, and burn a sage leaf in the fire for each name.
At 10:00pm EDT, the fire was burning and I began to read. It was a beautiful, starry summer night. Through tears I spoke each name. My husband and our Corgis listened. The heavens listened. All across the country and around the world people read names with me. Fires and candles were lit and hearts lifted in love and loss. For a brief time, we came together and became something larger; all because of a very special Corgi and his devoted mum.
In 2013, the tradition of Llyr’s Fire continued on the summer solstice (June 21, 2013). Almost 1,200 beloved and sorely missed names were spoken. Once again people around the world joined me in remembering.
There are over 1,700 names now, each one a hole in someone’s heart and a memory shared in love and joy. If you are a member of Facebook, please come to the event page at www.facebook.com/llyrsfire2014. If you are not on Facebook and would like to submit a name for Llyr’s fire, e-mail me at cbgnorth@yahoo.com.
Please join me in remembering on June 21, 2014 when I will again speak the names.
We are many because we are one. For one night we come together across boundaries of belief, culture, and distance to celebrate our beloved ones. And together, we remember …
There Are No Words
There are no words, only tears
To love and let go
Is hardest of all
They live in Now
No yesterday or tomorrow
Until Now is no more
Yesterday’s ghosts
Our solace and our pain
We will remember …
© 2012 Caryl Bahner-Guhin
**********************************************
Caryl lives in upstate New York with her husband and three beloved Corgis Pippin, Hunter and Tanner. They enjoy regular walks in the woods.
I remember Llyr's story. You are so sweet to have started this. I know of a few 4-legged friends lost this year.
Thank you Caryl, Laurie and Corgi Nation. I am blessed to be to be a part of this and so honored that my beloved Llyr started this precious and extremely moving annual event. My heart goes out to everyone who has lost a beloved animal and human family member. My tears are flowing reading about this, but so very proud that my boy Lly has brought so many people together. Bless you Caryl! Love you very much! We remember!
Amy, Angel Llyr, Angel Gwennan and Awstin
What a kind, caring and deeply appreciated gesture you make. May God bless your family and all the sweet souls, so dearly loved and missed, which you honor in this way. Thank you.
I remembered with you last year, and will do so again from Phoenix AZ. We are all together through love and remembrance. I thank you for your energy and the love and time to do this. Blessing and love to you, Carly.
We remember . . . . .