February was fabulous at TDC
A write up of Friendly & Fearless Tucson Death Cafe
Tucson meeting #16 happened Feb 4th at Big Moe's Coffee Emporium, in the Metal Arts Village. The turn out was enough to pleasantly crowd the coffee shop on a chilly evening in the desert, opened exclusively in the evening for Death Cafe by owner/host Tammi. As a special treat Tammi featured "Death by Chocolate" hot cocoa - your choice of white, mild or dark chocolate no less!!
Also lending a bit more excitement, an independent, documentary film crew from LA was here to film us (willing participants only). Facilitators Kristine and Cindy began with brief introductions, and reviewed the suggestion for tonight. Participants had been invited to bring a small memento for show and tell, something relating to a death, including a symbolic rather than a literal death. The inspiration they drew upon was the 'month of love' that February is, as well as the Gem Show occuring in Tucson - with so much powerful energy around symbols, jewelry and exchange.
As we broke into small groups, it was moving to sense the anticipation as people held their cherished items and looked for someone with whom to share their stories. A pleasant aspect we are stressing at our meetings is to encourage participants to feel free to mingle and regroup during the planned 45 or so minutes of sharing and listening. This seems to be work well, as our number grows and there are old timers and newcomers, and more people to meet. When we all got back together as a big group, what came up was suicides and deaths of children, and how these linger for people, and how circumstances influence the way we experience things.
The exercise invited a lot reflection - more than usually occurs in the larger group. Thank you to all the folks that show up for Tucson Death Cafe. We completely blew the LA film crew away! (They were so surprised the actually ENJOYED themselves!)