It rained on Sunday; on Wednesday it was overcast and humid.
But on Monday and Tuesday the weather was perfect.
Kingscote basked in bright sunlight as we gathered at the Matara Centre to celebrate Chris Seeley’s amazingly creative life. We danced, drummed and sang. We shared stories; listened to music; read her journals, dived into her gloriously iconoclastic academic writing; gazed in wonder at her pictures and sketch books; enjoyed displays of her iconic outfits; talked about cosmology; cuddled teddy bears; looked at pictures from Chris’s childhood; wrote poetry; explored deep time; painted and drew; sat with old friends; made new connections; laughed, cried, and ate cake.
All this came about through the efforts of Chris’s family and friends, sparked by their love for this remarkable woman and gratitude for a life lived with such generosity and brilliance. Convening and preparing for the celebration was a source of great joy, though I sometimes found it a bit overwhelming and difficult to stay present during the event itself.
On Monday afternoon I needed to escape for a while so I went to the meditation room with Teddie and slept for an hour, until a friend came in and hugged us both awake as if we had been Sleeping Beauties. In that moment, I felt a surge of erotic energy returning to my body and I began to imagine the concrete possibility of life beyond the celebration for the first time since Chris died.
I realised that the energy I’d poured into making the event happen was a way of keeping her alive. Now it’s over, I have to let her go. It’s hard and the way ahead looks dark. But as our friend Fergal O’Connor says in the title track of his new album: light has a habit of breaking through.
Coming Home to Story 
Beautifully said. Difficult time for everyone who knew Chris. But there is joy in what I have been reading about her, and about how she affected so many lives in such a positive way. She leaves a little bit of herself in every one of you, which should be a beacon to guide you into a future that is full of promise. She wouldn’t want it any other way!
Thank you Mike. I look forward to meeting in person one day (though I have seen you dance). All good wishes. Geoff
Sounds like it was a wonderful celebration not only of Chris’ life but also of your relationship. Everything comes full circle eventually and when you feel the time is right you will indeed move on and take Chris with you in spirit. When I finally let go of my husband during a meditation I truly saw his spirit dance with joy! Sometimes I return for a while and reconnect but it’s OK when we part again. They want us to be happy. They left for a reason and we stay for one.
Much love x
Thank you for your loving and soulful response. I lodve the picture of your husband’s spirit dancing with joy!