I remember Sarah because of herself and her terrific parents. I
hired her father 31 years ago and have known Bruce and Judy ever
since—so also Eric and Sarah. My memory and that of my wife
Pam Siler is therefore deeply entrenched in that foursome. That
will not go away.
My
memories of Sarah are varied and contrasting, because I see her
as a young woman of many parts, but with a strong underlying thread
in all of them—a strong commitment to doing good things for
other people. I remember Sarah as: the schoolgirl soccer player
out there challenging in Willamette Park; the individual, unconventional
daughter—looks and interests, of slightly more conventional
parents (Jesus I hope they don't think they are dull! Not true and
not intended!); the proactive advocate for causes, every one of
which I believed in myself, but had never given the same unstinting
commitment to; someone committing without aspiration to personal
advancement; an adventuress—anybody who gets arrested twice
as a train hopper in Oregon and Mexico has to be in that category;
as an idealist working to fund the organic farm that sadly will
never come; independent to the last walk.
Pam
and I are very sorry not to be able to get ourselves from Scotland
to Portland for Monday, but we will be there in spirit, lighting
a candle for Sarah, spending time with Bruce and Judy as soon as
we can.
PS.
I had a fine "reunion" with Shonna during the summer—I
had not seen her for nearly 30 years. I met her husband Yitzhak,
who is a rabbi in Eugene. He seemed a great person, humanity first,
religion second. They have two daughters one working for activist
causes in NY. We talked about your Sarah, so I thought that they
could give some sort of spiritual infusion that was outside my sphere.
This was the reply. As it happens Yitzhak knows Bruce indirectly.
“Our
deepest condolences to you and the family on the profound and sudden
loss of a terrific young woman. Yitzhak already knew of her situation,
as one of Sarah's parents works at the law office of the VP of our
congregation, and Yitz was at a meeting last week there when they
received the news. We will include her name in today's Shabbat services
in the traditional "kaddish" prayer for the dead, which
is a beautiful prayer affirming the beauty of the continuity of
life. May her memory always be a blessing.” —Shonna
and Yitzhak
