A few quotes will help you understand. “The Earthkeepers believe that to live fully and dream courageously, we must wake up each morning and live this day as if it were our last. To be ready to die at any moment requires great valor. We need emotional courage to speak the truth now… We need moral courage so that we can align our behavior with our principles…Being ready to die at any moment also requires the intellectual courage to let go of old notions…” This book and its messages meant something to Lena or she would not have shared it with me. Because no one was allowed to visit her during her hospital and rehab confinement, none of us know what was in her mind. But if anyone is ever ready to die, I think Lena had prepared herself well. Lena Feiner had a full life, being a local leader in the Feminist Movement for years. She always wore a pin that said, “A Feminist for 50 years.” Her pet peeve was hearing someone call women, “You guys.” She promptly, but with grace, corrected whomever would dare say that in front of her. Even I was corrected a number of times! “We are not ‘guys’, we are girls or women!” she always pointed out. Lena moved to New Harmony, Indiana in 1998. She remodeled an older home turning it into a gallery and gift shop, the Women’s Institute and Gallery. It was one of the first residential business’s in the village and came about with firm determination and stick-tuitiveness by Lena. Although exhibits by men did occur at the gallery, most of the exhibits were of the creations of women. With a strong intelligence, having a Master’s in Library Science, Lena also nurtured her aesthetic side with poetry. Here is a poem written by Lena. The subject matter reflects Lena’s devotion to the Feminist Movement. Paean to the Feminine Principle What is it? Yes, what is it? Gifted, it is esteeming aesthetics. Gifted, it is esteeming assertiveness. Gifted, it is esteeming bodiliness. Gifted, it is esteeming caring. Gifted, it is esteeming character. Gifted, it is esteeming communication. Gifted, it is esteeming connectedness. Gifted, it is esteeming cooperation. Gifted, it is esteeming empathy. Gifted, it is esteeming empowerment. Gifted, it is esteeming excellence. Gifted, it is esteeming gratitude. Gifted, it is esteeming harmony. Gifted, it is esteeming integrity. Gifted, it is esteeming intuition. Gifted, it is esteeming joy. Gifted, it is an esteeming daughter. Gifted it is esteeming mindfulness. Gifted, it is esteeming personhood. Gifted, it is esteeming relationships. Gifted, it is esteeming sensitivity. Gifted, it is esteeming time. Gifted, it is esteeming transcendence. Gifted, it is esteeming universalism. Gifted, it is esteeming wonder. It is missing in the culture. It is missing in the world civilizations. Let it come forth! Yes, let it come forth! Written by Lena Feiner Lena and I had wonderful adventures together. One of them was an introduction to St. Meinrad and it’s awesome cathedral, beautiful galleries, stained glass and unique gift shop. Another adventure was to Nashville. I was a member of the Jungian Book Study group for a while. She spearheaded that discussion group for many years and many in the group became lifelong friends. Lena had a strong faith in God and served as a lay minister at the Ford Home in New Harmony. She loved the Psalms and Psalm 73: 26 speaks, “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” This, I know she believed. Lena Feiner was individualistic, independent, private, a strong feminist, stalwart, stoic, compassionate, generous, truthful and kind. It is difficult to lose someone like that in your life. I miss my friend. [email protected] ©Ann Rains January, 2021
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