Remembering the sparkling warmth and strength of Palmira Boutillier
Photo from the Media Co-op
**UPDATE**
Memorial to Palmira Boutillier
Thurs. 29 Aug. 6.30 pm.
Just Us Cafe, Spring Garden Road
Halifax.
Please join us in honouring the Memory of Palmira Boutillier
As we help the people of Halifax commemorate her
contributions and celebrate her influence on us all.
Stories & Songs welcome. Light refreshments provided.
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With great sadness and shock, we share the news of the sudden passing of Palmira Boutillier. The world suffers a great loss to be without her.
Palmira, who many of us know from various programs at the Shambhala Centre and the North End Meditation Space, had an astonishingly wide range of circles of people she was connected to. Her boundless spirit embraced each person she met as though they had been a childhood friend. She exemplified authenticity, presence, strength, and kindness, and in these days following her death, many have shared stories about the ways she profoundly helped them.
Activist, farmer, journalist, yoga instructor, meditator, daughter, sister, and friend, as we mourn and celebrate all of Palmira, we send out our hearts to her family and friends in Halifax, British Columbia, and beyond, remembering her radiance, and letting her incredible spirit continue to inspire us.
Randy Henderson has generously offered to share his poem about Palmira with everyone (see below).
The Media Co-op’s: “In loving memory of Palmira Boutillier”
Solidarity Halifax’s: “Condolences for family and friends of Palmira”
Please feel free to share your memories and offerings in the comments below.
Contributed by Jessie Litven
Palmira’s Garden
by Randy B Henderson
In Palmira’s garden the morning dew made gems
Of butter cups and burdock stems
In Palmira’s garden friendships bloomed.
On their stems, stories ripened
Communities grew from tiny slips
Connecting, gathering, growing tightened
In Palmira’s garden there were trees for shade
Dappled sun on printed page
Reading books with lemonade
Palmira’s garden had no gate
All were welcome. Come early, stay late
In Palmira’s garden there were no weeds
There were sundews, dandelions and blades of grass
Yarrow, raspberry and mountain ash
In Palmira’s garden, it was how you looked
Perspectives changed and hangups unhooked
In Palmira’s garden roots ran deep, a sturdy base
Which fed the strength of her embrace
In Palmira’s garden when it rained
Music rose up from the earth, roots of rhythm giving birth
In Palmira’s garden was a brook, ever flowing, never stops
For collecting tears, washing wounds and mending hearts
In Palmira’s garden there were seeds in little jars
Labelled “wishes”, “dreams” and “shooting stars”
You might find one, in the pocket of your coat
Slipped in secret, without a note
In Palmira’s garden the scarlet runner beans held races
Relays, sprints and joyous chases
But the snow peas were just fine
To hang out languid on the vine
In Palmira’s garden after dark
Crickets chorused by firefly spark
In Palmira’s garden the season changed
We all wept, and holding hands, remained.
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Just want to say: “Love you Palmira – and have a safe journey”.
Randy Henderson’ poem says everything else most beautifully
Aaaaaaah , so sad. How come there are only three letters in that word. That’s not enough …. Surely there must words that does more justice to this.
In any way, I can’t be there tonight. Restless. But … I remember Palmira: Monday nights, I would do my thing – setting up for the practice session at the North End Meditation Space – and she would close up Local Source to get to some meeting to do more good for the world. And on her way out she’d stop and turn around, smile, und offer me a hug – the sweetest, most delicious hug int the city, possibly in the entire world – kid you not, like vanilla ice cream, only better. It was easy to accept her embrace, so easy. It’s so hard to say good-bye. See you, Palmira safe travels. I know you’ll do well.
I just want to say that this woman had such a big heart.I was lucky enough to go to high school with her and she was a huge part of my life when i was younger. She will be missed
I knew Palmira as a when we were teenagers. I saw the news on her death and it’s so awful. She was a bright light and even when we were young she was unforgettable and amazing. The world has lost a great human being and I’ll never forget her.
My family and I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this wonderful tribute. At this time all I can do is thank you all of you at the Shambhala Centre for be part of her live and thank you for your support and love at the hospital. As a favor to Palmira,myself and my family would you please give Randy Henderson a hug. Thank you Randy for sharing your poem, please know it has touched our hearts. Jim
Randy I read your poem throughout the day and it gives me strength.
Jim
Jim, thank you so much. I am tremendously grateful that I could contribute.
This poem is beautiful, thank you Randy. Palmira was indeed a most splendid soul. Your poem is helping me with the very difficult process of saying good bye.
This is so beautiful. Thank you so much. I know Pal would have loved this poem. Hugs to all at Shambhala, I wish I could be there in person to thank you for all the support you have my sister along her journey.
I remember babysitting Palmira and Jessie when they were little.She was always so friendly and happy, a pleasure to have known. Rest in Peace
Palmira worked for me at CBC Radio in Toronto as a student intern a few years ago. She left a lasting impression on us all. Her intelligence, curiosity, humour and kindness lit up our office. It is a tragic loss. My condolences go out to her family and friends.
I think of Pal often. I remember the first time i met her. Nighttime roller skating at the commons. I said “oh, you wanna skate… here try these” i pulled the skates right off my feet. Gave her my gear and off she went. She had so much fun. I ended up lending her those very skates until she got her own. When she gave them back to me she thanked me. She told me that if it wasnt for me that she wouldn’t have joined our group. That had an impact on me that still resenates today, at a time i needed it so much. That light in the dark. I love you Pal❤️