Happy Ancestral Bearthday, Teacher Aunty Monica <3 by Carmen Jovel

standing in your light

2022-01-18 12:00:57 UTC

i've been dreaming about you lately. in one of them, i was standing and staring at the sun, probably taking a photo of it. when i suddenly hear you laugh behind me and exclaim, "hey! you're standing in my light!" apparently i was blocking the view for you.

i look behind and there you were. i was so excited to see you, i ran for a hug.

i was standing in your light.

the significance of realizing in a dream that i'm standing in your light is not lost on me.

even beyond this human realm, you continue to teach me things. you continue teaching me about the nuances of life, the dual nature of grief, that grief cannot exist without joy. and yet, i so badly wish i did not have to learn these lessons in your absence.

i am standing in your light. i am grateful. i am grieving. i am gratefully grieving.

we are standing in your light. happy birthday.

-april

Happy birthday dear Monica. Feeling you close in the Oakland streams, every time I sing your songs. I am so grateful for how you stared your laugh, wit, discipline, and creativity in life. Wishing you easy rest as we continue to feel your light. - Dani

2022-01-21 23:39:33 UTC

2022-01-22 04:39:57 UTC

Happy birthday dearest Monica. I still think about your magic. I miss you very much. I can hear your voice so clearly in my head sometimes, scolding us for veering off beat during class lol. You always made me want to be better and work harder. You were such a force to be reckoned with, it’s still breathtaking to think you are no longer on the same plane as us. Thank you for your power, for your gift of empowering others, myself included. You are appreciated and cherished. Your legacy of love will not be forgotten. xo Learkana

I miss you, beloved.

carmenj7 — 2022-01-22 06:33:53 UTC

Monica, even tho I put this padlet together for you it feels like yet another one of those things that I resist to engage with because it further affirms the reality that you've transcended to the ancestor realm. But you're soooo good at reminding me consistently that you're here, and present with us. I participated in a guided spiritual workshop a few weeks back and as we were closing the facilitator out of nowhere closed exactly how you would.... Of the energy we cultivated in this space, take a third for us, send a third to somebody who needs it, and the last third send it down into the ground for our ancestors. It shook me. It was so unexpected. I shared that that's how you closed and they shared that was the first time those words had ever come to them.

I knew it was you. Every time I catch a beat from the rustling of leaves, the jingling of keys, or the footsteps of somebody around me, I know it's you reminding me to stay grounded with music, to seek the beat in my surroundings, to connect snd be present even in fleeting moments.

Thank you for all your lessons. Thank you for continuing to teach us those lessons in those small moments.

We lighting up in your honor this weekend.
Happy ancestral birthday, Monica, Mo' Clearly, the forever homie.
I love you.
<3Carmen

2022-01-22 16:46:40 UTC

Happiest Ancestral birthday!
I miss you and it's so hard to even find words that fit the amount of sadness and deep knowing you are no longer here in this form. But I felt your yesterday around, reminding me with sweet memories and thoughts of last years Oakland Marti gras! ⚜🎭. I know your here watching, smiling, yelling and laughing at all that is happening in the earthy world. Although pained by the none physical I celebrate your life's spirit and way of being through movement, art, music and presence. May your spirit be full of love, dancing and tons of laughter. Happy birthday Anutie I love you.
🦋Niki

2022-01-22 17:26:24 UTC

Happy birthday, beloved Teacher Aunty Monica. Thank you for continuing to shine your light from the ancestral realm. Thank you for modeling that sacred combination of fierceness, love, playfulness, commitment, visionariness, magic, and more love. You welcomed each of us and supported us by demanding that we be fabulous and shine brightly because you believed in our potential, individually and collectively. May all beings in all realms dance and make music in your honor today. Thank you for seeding so much music and dance in the world every day. I love and miss you. ~Cecilia

2020 bday celebration

carmenj7 — 2022-01-22 18:14:02 UTC

carmenj7 — 2022-01-22 18:14:25 UTC

Hey hey! Ho ho! Auntie Monica we love you so!

2022-01-22 18:22:16 UTC

Teacher Monica it still feels hard every time I try and write or put in to words anything to you or about you, because I still feel like when The world goes back to some kind of normal we’ll both be lugging drums to GreenPeace every Monday like we were. We love you, and miss you, and I think and say your name often. Thank you for the joy, wisdom, skills, example you gave to me and to SO many in our community. I am still learning from you.

Sending love, ease, joy on your birthday

Ray

2022-01-22 18:34:16 UTC

Happy birthday to our beloved ancestor 🙏🏾

Eternal gratitude for one of the greatest teachers I’ve ever had. To have a teacher that taught from a place of spirit, not ego, changes your whole view on life. Monica, that’s exactly what you did…transformed many lives across many generations and communities.

Just a few outstanding life-changing lessons I’ve learned from you…
✨You taught me that our insecurities can sometimes be just the tail end of a huge ego. I’ve experienced many ego deaths since then. Thank you for reminding me to stay rooted in my spirit.
✨You taught me that even if I don’t directly know my blood family, I can learn more about them and my culture through learning more about myself. Ever since then, my relationship to myself, my ancestors, my cultures, and my family deepened beyond I ever dreamed. Thank you for reminding me of my courage.
✨You once said “To have a lack of hope is a privilege. Some people’s next breath depends on them having hope.” You said that casually in class one time and I went home and wrote it down so I would never forget. Never once did I ever see you stop dreaming for yourself and for your beloved community. Thank you for reminding me of the medicine in our hope and dreams.

The teachings, lessons, and blessings you’ve left on this universe are timeless. We will never stop celebrating you. I love you forever, Teacher Aunty Monica 🕊🤍

L.Roy

2022-01-22 18:45:24 UTC

happy birthday to you dearest monica 💖 i miss you i miss you i miss you. i have been generally going through a pretty rough patch, so i decided to take a walk the other day on my own - which was a big step! i walked through lots of ferns, redwoods, following stream that ran through the forest. at one point i decided to take a step back and sit there to just be present with it all. i always find it pretty difficult to do exercises like that, but it was in this moment when i was looking down at the flowing water that i had this thought of “i feel like monica would really like it here. let me take a minute.” i was able to enter a sort of meditative state for what felt like the first time in a long time. thank you for being there with me. thank you for reminding me to stay grounded when it feels like the world is taking those things that ground us away from us. i hope to see you again soon. -nicole

2022-01-22 21:08:23 UTC

2022-01-22 21:10:17 UTC

“Beloved Teacher Aunty Monica,” 2021. I hope you like this drawing I did in your honor ♥️

I will always be your friend.

2022-01-22 21:10:42 UTC

My Dear, Beautiful, Teacher Aunty Monica

My Friend, Teacher, Aunty, Homie, Quelder

I am (like so many) are blessed to have known you in your human embodiment and building with you for the last 7 months in the Ancestor realm has been memorable. To grow deep roots that continued to stretched as we digest and live with you as our Ancestor. You are always guiding me in affirmation, song, light, love. Your roots are strong where your legacy lives on through children who barely spoke as you transitioned and to one's who are still just stars not on earth yet. I am so grateful that you spent the time you did with me and with all of us. Our text messages and DMs keep me laughing at so many funny HIGHlarious jokes we had together navigating music classes and chaos and our queer lives in Oakland.

Thank you for your creation of music. You are beyond talented. Each song you sang and/or wrote became a prayer, a mantra, and chant to my greif and process.. and as I understood you won't be singing these to us anymore they are my release.. I/we had to lead your songs now. Your songs are continuing to teach young and old humans how to grieve and celebrate, you.

Oh what I would give for one last hug, that lasted for a full deep breath process and a shimmer look in my eyes, one more time. I celebrate you, your queerness, GQness, your musician life, your Teacher Aunty Monica soul, I love you. And know that, If you are lonely and you got nobody to looooooove, come to me and I'll be your friend ❤ Mitali

with love & gratitude

2022-01-23 08:16:13 UTC

Teacher Aunty Monica. i remember in Monday class i would often stop short of calling you by name. spoken words hold so much power for me, and your name always felt like more light & brilliance than my mouth could form. since you’ve transitioned, i invoke your name often in gratitude, reverence, and connection. i sing out loud, even when the residue of shame sticks to my throat. every day i miss you and every day is a chance to remember you anew. i think back often to the dream i had a couple months ago, when you visited me and reminded me that you get to love on us now. you are unbound & boundless, as always and even more so. thank you for being one of our guiding lights; for offering your spirit & love from beyond this plane. your legacy has led me & my siblings to witness & love each other in cycle-breaking, healing ways. i count myself fortunate to have experienced your joyfulness, presence & guidance. i know you are relishing this Aquarian season & i send deep love from my lil patch of earth to you. - Yesenia

2022-01-23 15:22:20 UTC

Auntie Monica, I miss you immensely. There’s are so many places I go to and I think of you. But I think of you the most when I hear Stevie wonder’s Another star. I remember I’d always request that song from you when we were done with the kids music class. You, Mitali and I would always just jam out! Thank you for always making our moments together special! Happy Wonderful birthday to wonderful you🌹✨

2022-01-23 15:23:27 UTC

In honor of your life and energy

2022-01-23 20:19:46 UTC

TEACHER AUNTY MONICA!
VIVES SIEMPRE EN NUESTRES CORAZONES!

Yesterday was your bday and we miss you! not a day has gone by that your BoomShake Fam hasn’t thought about you! Yesterday the taqueria had Feliz Cumpleaños playing in repeat and i knew it was for you! 💙

Your depature has changed so many of us! But your teaching and words shine so strong!

You taught me what it looks like to live with purpose. Your songs and message will live on forever! Thank you Thank you Thank you! Mil gracias por dar tu amor y cariño a tu communidad! You are a BAY legend!!