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After a brief round of introductions, Mike, Dave, Ross, Linda, Mike, Jill, Pam, Woody, Bob, Micky, and Marita began the day's open space discussions. Topics included:

· Food supply concerns...

· Simplicity and funeral options/costs...

· Balancing work that is fulfilling/enjoyable with work that generates enough income to meet your needs...

Here are some items from the discussions...

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FOOD SUPPLY CONCERNS...

Several activities in Chicago made parking for the meeting a bit tricky. As folks began to drift in, discussion slowly evolved around the food we eat. Ross mentioned the importance of listening to your body, as it will tell you in subtle ways what it needs -- if you feel an urge for vegetables, then it's most likely vegetables is what your body needs. The affects of our food selection have a dramatic impact on longevity and quality of life.

Discussion then swung around to the effects of corporatization on our food supply. Intense production from poultry, beef and pork factories, require treating animals with antibiotics and growth hormones. Because of close quarters, chickens are de-beaked to prevent fighting, which would otherwise generate wounds and disease. Concentration of waste has become a serious problem, as witnessed by last year's hurricanes in North Carolina. Heavy rains caused flooding and concentrated waste from animal factories in the flood paths, were whisked away and spread around surrounding communities. The US Government is spending huge amounts of money today still cleaning up this environmental hazard.

Small independent farms are being consumed as corporations scramble to create more profit and greater value for their shareholders. Selecting the foods we eat and sources they come from, are ways we can "cast a vote" for maintaining the integrity of our food supply. Choosing organic, and/or locally grow foods, supports those endeavors in huge ways. Likewise, buying genetically modified (GMO) and "factory production" foods, generates profits for corporatized nonlocal companies, encouraging and enabling them to experiment further with genetic modification and tampering of our food supply (this was one of many issues voiced at the recent World Trade Organization protest rallies). Perhaps our biggest allies are in Europe -- last year, their rejection of GMO grains and foods caused huge dramatic drops in US farm exports. Not too surprisingly, quietly this year corporate agriculture began supplying farmers with non-GMO seed. Our selections do make differences.

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SIMPLICITY & FUNERAL OPTIONS/COSTS...

As discussion moved toward personal finance/money in general, the topic of funeral expenses and what is really needed to respectively honor someone's passing came to the table. (A note from me: I was totally floored when this topic came up "out of the blue", as I had just buried my mother two weeks ago after a very lengthily illness). Preplanning, the importance of expressing your wishes ahead of time, and "shopping" different funeral directors for pricing where some of the items discussed. Marita, Linda and Mike shared recent experiences.

In Chicago, the typical cost of an average funeral (one-day visitation and burial in a cemetery) is between $5000 and $6000. Cremation can be substantially less, depending on what ceremony if any is involved. Discussion continued on having plans, and included keeping them simple with cremation and no visitation. Mike expressed his surprise at "other considerations" surfacing at the time arranging his mother's funeral. Marita concurred, saying until you are in that moment, you don't really know what the "situation" will be.

Mike thought arrangements for his mother would be very simple (cremation, no visitation, simple memorial service) but then realized he needed to consider others -- what did others (and himself) "need" to emotionally accept the passing? He realized that many "traditional" funeral functions do have purpose. When weighing-in all the options, he decided a pretty traditional approach was best for the situation.

The group then discussed the importance of closure and grieving. This revealed how some deaths, like those of the very young, do not seem "complete" until you actually see the body => "...yes, he/she really is dead". Mike said his mom was sick for so long, that seeing her in a peaceful, restful state was an important final image for him AND others to have. By weighing-in all options, questioning what was really necessary, and taking into account the needs of others, Mike said he made decisions that he has absolutely no doubts or regrets about. He is perfectly at ease with those choices and most importantly, the conclusion and celebration of his mother's life.

Mike observed simplicity is a process of things, and as long as you are using that process, you will be making the best decisions for you. From this experience, he learned that his simplicity process is in place and to trust in that process. He also learned that while it is important to express your burial wishes, it is equally important for him to keep those wishes as "preferences" -- leave options available to those left behind and trust in them to make decision based on the immediate needs of situation.

Regarding costs, there are many ways to keep them low. Casket costs range from $400 to $12,000 -- a $1000 casket seems to work just as well as a $12,000 one. Vaults are required in Illinois (approx. $400). Cremation, no viewing and simple memorial service costs around $1200. There are several Memorial Associations around the country. For a one-time fee (Individual $25, Family $40, Senior $20, Senior Couple $25), the Chicago Memorial Association (see contact information at bottom of page) offers cremation for $400, or a standard funeral (prep, paperwork, one-day visitation, funeral home services, casket and transportation) for $1,600 plus cemetery costs (an additional $700 to $1200).

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BALANCING FULFILLING WORK WITH WORK THAT GENERATES ENOUGH INCOME...

Shifting subjects, the group began discussing the question, "How does one do something that they really like to do and get paid for it is such a manner that allows them to continue their simple life style?

Suggestions included if you're doing the work that truly brings you joy and fulfillment, the monetary needs most often follow. Discussion also mentioned activities derived directly from your likes. From a recent book he read, Woody commented that most often the things we liked doing when we were 10 years old, are the things that truly are our passions. The book's author suggested looking back at those years to rediscover past joys and passions.

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We closed the space and meeting at 11:55. Pam, Linda, Woody, Dave, Ross and Mike then walked to the lakefront to enjoy the Chicago 2000 BluesFest in Grant Park.

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INFORMATION...

The Chicago Memorial Association

P.O. Box 2923

Chicago, IL 60690

312-939-0678

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(Posted by: Mike Lenich)

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Email Mike Lenich at: vschicago@juno.com