24/11/2025
We had a gallery reading with Manisha Ahkaury and it couldn’t have gone better! I signed up for the meeting shortly before it started, due to what Suzanne Giesemann calls a “snag”. I saw it on my screen and just had a feeling I should join in. I am so glad I listened!
At first she was describing a picture that was nearby of Kevin. Yes, it was to our left, our last family picture together that we have hanging on the wall. Manisha then indicated something about the throat area and breathing. Kevin had a trach and was dependent on a ventilator for breathing for many years. Then Manisha was very emotional describing Kevin’s gratitude to us. She said many times, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” This warmed my heart because our lives were truly dedicated to his care as he required so much. And we would do it over and over again, Kevin!!
Manisha was aware of all the modifications we did to our car and house and that we made life comfortable for him, and that we had a pool put in after we moved to our current home. She said that Kevin loved the pool! Yes he did! She said that our family travels were a highlight for him as well. We did travel to many many places when he was younger - camping, cruising, flying… all of it!
Then Manisha asked if we sent medical records to different hospitals, especially Boston Children’s. Yes, we did! Kevin had an ultra rare syndrome, and in the early days, we sent medical records worldwide, trying to get a diagnosis.
Then Manisha saw Kevin having his legs massaged and he thought it was “so sweet” that I would rub my hands together first so that he got a warm hand massage, instead of cold. I did do that frequently! Then Kevin said “my mom is as good as a qualified nurse”. I had to laugh at that because I am a nurse and I am sure his humor was poking through!
Then Manisha asked about the color purple and to talk about it, talk about it. It didn’t come to me right then but I attribute that now to his sister, MaryEllen who was with him! Her color is purple and she passed a few months before Kevin. Then Manisha kept doing the heart hands. Over and over, heart hands. At that moment I attributed it to a recent mediation where Kevin was drawing a heart in the sand for me but afterwards, OF COURSE, it probably had something to do with a rock I recently painted of a mother and son with heart hands!
Manisha saw clocks. She asked “Do I give away clocks?” LOL I said “I give away rocks!” I just started a kindness rock project in memory of MaryEllen and Kevin. She thought that was funny and was probably his funny sense of humor shining through.
Manisha asked if were considering a move. We do speak of it quite often actually! Semi seriously. She assured us that no matter where we go, even if it’s 100 houses, Kevin will be with us. That was very comforting to hear.
Thank you and so much gratitude to Manisha for this wonderful reading!
~Lori Burke
Please watch the Youtube video here
