Big Medicine: Charles Coghlan

I am Charles Coghlan. I turn 85 in April. Beginning my career with an MA in Religion, I became a social worker in 1968 in Los Angeles, on the site of the 1965 Watts Riots. I hit the streets to protest the war and fight for social justice. I departed L.A. in 1974, heading in search of greener pastures. These I found on the banks of the mighty Columbia River, working for an orchardist who taught me how to tend apple trees. A blessing! Ten years later, I began my study of the Art of Ikebana, Japanese Flower Design in Seattle. I started my own florist business, Hana Design, in 1997. Ikebana is my passion; teaching it is pure joy. My sweetheart Ann and I live in Seattle with Mr. Tux, a sassy black & white cat who keeps us both in line 24/7.

Advice to my Younger Self

Get their stories! Spend time with parents and grandparents. I can assure you that if not, you will regret it when they’re gone. If you do, you will be profoundly grateful.

Learn to argue! Find people who will agree to disagree and go at it together with your ears wide open. Not only will this put you in league with wise old Socrates on the Art of Dialogue, but you will be heeding a wise old axiom: “One who knows only one side of a question knows little of that.”

Read historical fiction! The history you studied in school was bare-boned facts. A good writer puts flesh on those bones, creating stories that are hard to put down. Watching humankind survive multiple disastrous times may provide some ray of hope should your own times become perilous.

Seeking Wisdom

Asking questions! “Why ruin a good question with an answer?”— Yiddish Proverb. Growing older, I am realizing how very much I don’t know, and I find that to be quite interesting. Exploring a question to its depths. . . where might that take me?

Making coffee dates! I look forward to a face-to-face with an old friend, or a new one. I then love reflecting upon and savoring them. Questions are not always answered, but we’re learning stuff!

Smelling the Roses! “As the years pass and we grow older, we realize that no moment repeats itself. They are all unique,” said Sofu Teshigahara, Ikebana Master. My body is surely slowing me down, not all a bad thing. Taking my time means I see and feel more things, bringing me moments of both bitter tears and joyous laughter. H. W. Longfellow calls these “secret anniversaries of the heart.” I call them “Big Medicine”!

The Final Chapter

Exploration! “To create Ikebana, one must first learn to listen carefully to what the flowers are saying. The heart must open wide to do this.”— Sofu Teshigahara. Wow, do I have some stories to tell, working on this for fifty-plus years now! Sometimes flowers say serious things, sometimes really silly things. One thing’s for sure, they’re never boring. I’ll certainly continue on this path!

Gratitude! “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘Thank you,’ that will be sufficient.”— Meister Eckhart. Earlier in life, I would say my thank yous daily, now far more often. Thanking all the Gods of the Universe for another day of life on Planet Earth. Yes, indeed!

Fine wine! Now in the winter of my years, I see my life as a fine glass of wine. Sitting next to a warm fire, I muse on what might lie ahead of that last breath; there might be something, there might be nothing. One of those questions. . . In the meantime, as I’m slowly sipping these last drops, I find them to be the finest tasting of all!