Teiwaz Steenblock Smith Memorial Fund

Xanthe Smith is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of our nephew, son, grandson, cousin, brother and friend Teiwaz Taliesen, who suddenly and unexpectedly transitioned on December, 18, 2019.
As his best friend put it “Teiwaz is my brother. We’ve known each other for almost 30 years and have gone through our most important life phases together, supported each other through our darkest times, and celebrated together in our triumphs and successes. Teiwaz and I grok each other in a way that most people never could with another human. We are children of the mountains, rivers, and forest; we know what it is like to live with pain every moment of every day, and yet persevere; we share a mission of preserving the Earth and making the world a better place; and we love ever so deeply. It seems impossible to encapsulate who we are to each other with mere words, but those of you who know Teiwaz well will understand.

Teiwaz is not perfect. None of us are. But I love all that he is, even the messy parts. He has so much love to give, and gives it freely and generously. Even when he has less than others, he is more generous. I have seen him literally give someone the shirt off his back. His energy and joy are boundless and infectious, and he overflows with love and light.

My heart is broken. We are supposed to travel more together, howl at the moon together, raise our kids together to revere the Earth as we do, and make positive change in the world as a team. It seems impossible that I will never again see you bounding up for a big hug. We only have one fucking rule: no dying. I thought that it would be simple enough to follow. But you broke it. I am angry with you for that, but my overwhelming anguish swallows that up, leaving only love and gratitude for having you in my life. Teiwaz loves me fiercely, as I do him. I do not think that I will ever experience something quite like his love ever again. I miss him with every fiber of my being.

These are the lyrics to one of the songs that we often sing together, which have been echoing in my head for the last few days and to which Teiwaz feels deeply connected:
Take me back, oh hills I love,
Lift me from this lonely bed,
Light my way with stars above,
Curl soft winds about my head,
Wash my feet in crystal streams,
Cradle my arms in boughs of oak,
Breathe the scent of pine for dreams,
Wrap me tight in earthen cloak

I love you, my brother. You will always be with me, as I am with you. — with Tei Waz at Brannan Mountain.

Funds will be used to cover end of life expenses, memorial services and supporting alternative energy work.