With great sadness, I must share the news of the passing of our dear friend and community member, Alan Wood. Many of you cherished Alan’s engaging talks, inspired by his admiration for Native American people and their traditions. For over a decade, Alan journeyed to America, immersing himself in their culture and earning the rare privilege of becoming a trusted friend within their inner circles.
Alan Wood
I knew Alan for over twenty years, and he never ceased to amaze me with his knowledge and insight. He was a deeply spiritual person who truly followed his beliefs. He faced his final sleep without fear, spending his last days with bravery and dignity.
He was a great admirer of the ‘Medicine Wheel’ and laid stones to represent it in various places across the country. I wonder if people who come across these small tributes know what they are looking at! But that’s Alan for you, always doing something different that he considered beneficial to the planet. No one could dispute his good intentions and concern for the planet, its people, and its animals.
One of Alan’s ‘Medicine Wheels’
Alan always attracted plenty of people to his Smudging Ceremonies. And he was insistent on following the exact method his Lakota Tribe friends had taught him. If he could not attend an event, he’d always perform a ceremony for the show from his home or wherever he was at the time.
Alan was a true friend and a loyal supporter of the Well Being Community. He believed wholeheartedly that everyone who participates in the shows contributes to the well-being of all humankind. While this may seem a sweeping statement, I can say without hesitation that Alan genuinely held this belief. He expressed this to me during our final conversation, just days before he entered his final sleep.
Every, and I mean every, member of the Well Being Community was important to Alan. And he was the rare human who never had a bad word to say about anyone. “They are who they are, Ian, and that is the way of life” is written in my notebook, and of course, he is right. Anyone who was blessed to be with Alan will know of his kindness and generous nature. He is a man who will be missed by the hundreds of people who met him at shows and events.
Alan leaves behind his partner of thirty-nine years, John. They were a happy couple, as close as atoms and our thoughts are with John at this time.
Alan and John
Liz and I thank Alan for his 20+ years of loyalty and friendship, and the memories of our times together will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with John at this time.
Ian and Liz
I am very grateful to have known Alan. I have a couple of pieces of artwork he did that are hung in my treatment room. I have been privileged to have read for him and engaged in many conversations over the last 8 years. We enjoyed good banter, so the message is from Birchwood Bertha sleep tight my friend it has been a blast.
Thanks Rick.
So sorry we have lost dear Alan Wood. We always had a cheerful meaningful chat.especially if we were at the same BB. I shall miss his friendly greeting at every show. My thoughts are with John faced with that sudden void after so many years together. Fly high Alan & enjoy meeting the Great Spirit & the mysteries of Existende in the high dimensions. Until we meet again my friend. ..xx
Thank you Brigitte x
a fine man, a sad loss, a fitting eulogy
Thank you Gary. Many thanks for your kind words.