I have not been able to put words to my feelings. Thankfully Eda Long has done it with beauty and grace:
"And what is it to cease breathing but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? When the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance." ~ Kahlil Gibran (The Prophet)
"I believe that when death closes our eyes we shall awaken to a light of which our sunlight is but a shadow." ~ Schopenhauer
Dearest Richard and all the Peeps, SESC,
It is difficult to write feelings that are beyond words. Stanley made such a difference and had such a deep resonance within, that words seem trite and insufficient. I owe the Universe and Source an eternal debt of deepest Gratitude for bringing Stanley Peele into my life...and into my heart.
The Stanley we knew and loved was gentle, kind, bright, funny, a great listener, brilliant and deep. He cared with all of his being for each of us and celebrated each encounter or phone call with enthusiasm and gratitude. He Always made you feel as if you were the most special and amazing, loved person in the world. He knew your heart and was always tender with it. So often he would recognize your suffering and most hidden pain as well, and lovingly help you feel it, understand it and learn to move through it without judgement.
Stanley believed in Natures ability to offer solace and to heal. He encouraged walks and time in nature and applauded any foray into a quiet place as beneficial. He taught me to breathe... really breathe and listen. Long meditation times were always high on his list for finding the answers I sought. He was simple and complex in such a brilliant tapestry of being that one could only wonder at the life journey he has taken.
Stanley mentored and guided me for over 18 years. AND, He mentored and guided many of you and others as well. He knew when he was being called to support someone, just as he always knew when to leave one to be, or to another to help. He knew when to let go better than anyone I have ever known. His compassion and wisdom knew no limits. Yet, he was ever obedient to Source and to the direction that guided and supported him.
Stanley and Vaughn are celebrating his return home. I imagine that Vaughn asked right off, " what took you so long?"! Yes, these two Master Souls have transcended just 8 months apart.. just a blink or two between the twinkling up of one and then the other. How difficult and sad for us.. until we stop and move into that place to which they always guided us, deep within. That place of Oneness, The Light. Here in Light we are never apart. We are One, and in the Oneness we are never alone, or without the love and guidance they each offer.
Stanley shared so little about himself. He was an attentive and loving husband, father, friend and Spirit. He was an attorney and Court Judge. He wrote for the Chapel Hill Paper often, and he saw beyond all appearances to what was spiritually afoot. There are three beautiful, inspiring books he wrote and self published (see below for Amazon link) that will give you more of an inkling of his rich inner life. His shimmering Spirit has left a soul print here on us all. Grieve not, he is pain free, radiant essence, pure love now.
Did you know how much he suffered physically for such a long time? Most likely not. Stanley, rarely shared his own suffering and pain at all. One could ask directly about it and he, the great master of redirection that he was, would rarely give you more than a shred of information on himself. He was a rare and humble servant of God and of the Universe.
Stanley's beautiful spirit will live on forever in our hearts. He knew and lived as if everything and EVERYONE on this planet mattered. Because is does. If you choose to honor his life, this is a challenge one can embrace and practice. No matter who or what is seen and what seems apparent, there is more beneath that just waiting to be known and loved. Judge not. Pray and be still. Breathe consciously and know that you are ONE in God. And There is surely no lack of God anywhere.
Twinkle, Shine and Shimmer On dearest Stanley. You have taken a bit of me into the Light with you. You left me so much stronger than you found me. You believed in me when I wasn't even sure who me was. Thank you with all my heart.
Humbly, respectfully, with love and deepest Gratitude, Eda
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story. ...
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952. (selected excerpts)
Background. Peele, Stanley was born on July 22, 1932 in Pulaski, Virginia, United States. Son of Joseph E. and Catherine (Groves) Peele. Education. Student, University North Carolina, 1956. Doctor of Laws, University North Carolina, 1959. Career. Associate L.J. Phipps, Attorney, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1959-1962.
FROM THE CHAPEL HILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY;
Judge Stanley Peele
Judge Stanley Peele was born into a family that owned and published a local newspaper so he knows about the power of the written word. It has been an essential part of his public service. He has become a master at expressing his passions, opinions and concerns about our society through his writings. Judge Peele's life has been a series of personal steps that built an enviable public service career. He served as soldier on the front line in Korea in 1950-1951. He earned a law degree at UNC Law School. He worked as a lawyer in public practice for eleven years from 1959 to 1969. He is 84 years old, was a judge for 47 years, and has been married for 62 years. He served 3 years as Chapel Hill Recorders Court Judge. He was appointed as District Court Judge in 1969. For over 7 years he was the only juvenile court judge in Orange and Chatham counties. This was his first opportunity to work with the troubled youth in these communities. It soon became a passion and he threw himself into working with and for these juveniles. Judge Peele was the chief district court judge for Orange and Chatham Counties from 1977 to 1989. In 1989, he helped found Chatham County Together, a child mentoring program. He has been a big brother to over 40 children. He worked as a crisis counselor for Help Line for 12 years, from 1984 to 1995.
He helped found and guide a number of youth programs. Because of his devotion to this work, he helped start and run People For Youth, a Big Brother/Big Sister program, Orange and Chatham Counties, from 1980 to 1982. He was also one of the founders, directors, and volunteer mentors for Volunteers For Youth, a Big Brother - Big Sister program. He has generally discouraged receiving any awards, but has accepted a few, including the State of North Carolina Juvenile Services Volunteer award and the Order of the Longleaf Pine -- twice. Judge Peele was a columnist for the Chapel Hill Herald for approximately 20 years and still submits occasional newspaper columns. He gives inspirational talks at meetings and facilitates spiritual gatherings and meditations. He experiences the joy of visiting three nursing homes to talk with residents there. He has written two books, A SIMPLE GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL HEALING and THE RIVER OF LIGHT (the latter contains spiritual articles). He also wrote a short book entitled WHAT I LEARNED FROM EDGAR CAYCE. He has also written many legal articles, mainly on the NC death penalty, and numerous other articles, mostly on spiritual subjects. It has been said that "Everyone who knows Stanley Peele knows that there is no one else quite like him."
He has written two books, "A Simple Guide To Spiritual Healing" and "The River of Light" which are both available on Amazon:
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