Stars in her pockets
I think that is the name of a poem by my friend Ken Nye. He is a dear fellow at my church who is suffering Parkinson's, terrible arthritis, AND Multiple Myeloma. But he says, "I will win." He doesn't mean he will survive all these things but that they cannot take him, his essence, away from him. His courage and ferocity in the face of such pain and loss are deeply moving. We'll be singing in our choir together tomorrow.
And I feel like I have stars in my pockets. Everywhere I go. So many sparkling moments, gratitude and joy and just appreciation and awareness. I went to a long and beautiful (and very sad) Celebration of Life memorial service for my neighbors' daughter Becky Schaffer. She was, at 23, a full-bore fearless humanitarian and ambassodor of good will and LOVE. The service had so many different voices. Becky was the only girl on the high school BOYS ice hockey team. Does that tell you how fearless and fierce she was? And so many people remember her for her acts of love. She kept in touch with teachers for the rest of her life. Even sent one a coconut, lol, like a postcard.
The ultimate message of Becky's life was summed up by her hockey coach.
1. Be with those who help your being. (Quote by Rumi)
2. Get better at what you do, every day.
3. Make a positive contribution to other people's lives.
And her mom, my friend Janice, said that Becky knew how to BE LOVING. That when we love, it's good, but we have to LIVE it and SHOW it. The difference between LOVING and BEING LOVING.
After the service, a friend played Amazing Grace on a bagpipe and we all walked the mile back to Janice and Bill's house. They had invited all 300+ people to come and share their love of Becky. I wish I had known her more but the few times our paths crossed she made a huge and positive impression. And today we all got a beautifully deeper understanding of this amazing young woman. Gone too soon. She actually wanted to go work with Mother Teresa. This quote seems to be just right for Becky, whom so many people remember for all the little things she did, with love: "We can do no great things, only small things, with great love."
Great love to all, to each mother and child,
Sarah
And I feel like I have stars in my pockets. Everywhere I go. So many sparkling moments, gratitude and joy and just appreciation and awareness. I went to a long and beautiful (and very sad) Celebration of Life memorial service for my neighbors' daughter Becky Schaffer. She was, at 23, a full-bore fearless humanitarian and ambassodor of good will and LOVE. The service had so many different voices. Becky was the only girl on the high school BOYS ice hockey team. Does that tell you how fearless and fierce she was? And so many people remember her for her acts of love. She kept in touch with teachers for the rest of her life. Even sent one a coconut, lol, like a postcard.
The ultimate message of Becky's life was summed up by her hockey coach.
1. Be with those who help your being. (Quote by Rumi)
2. Get better at what you do, every day.
3. Make a positive contribution to other people's lives.
And her mom, my friend Janice, said that Becky knew how to BE LOVING. That when we love, it's good, but we have to LIVE it and SHOW it. The difference between LOVING and BEING LOVING.
After the service, a friend played Amazing Grace on a bagpipe and we all walked the mile back to Janice and Bill's house. They had invited all 300+ people to come and share their love of Becky. I wish I had known her more but the few times our paths crossed she made a huge and positive impression. And today we all got a beautifully deeper understanding of this amazing young woman. Gone too soon. She actually wanted to go work with Mother Teresa. This quote seems to be just right for Becky, whom so many people remember for all the little things she did, with love: "We can do no great things, only small things, with great love."
Great love to all, to each mother and child,
Sarah
Replies
Hugs, Sarah. And prayers to Janice and family. She surely has a long road ahead of her, don\'t we know? Hugs, Belinda
I love the quote. It was a beautiful ceremony. Sending love your way Sarah. Terry
That is a wonderful quote - and so true. Thinking of you and Becky\'s family at this difficult time. Take care ~ Joanna
Sadness abounds, and troubles with it. I think Parkinsons is just about the worse disease in the world. I\'m glad you and your friend are close, sing together, and that he writes poetry. Do send us one of his poems, please. love ya, abby
What an impact Becky had on so many during her life, a life that ended far too soon. Perhaps in the macro scheme of creation, the souls that leave so young have purpose and work far beyond our understanding.
The ending quote is quite simply profound.
Peace, Rebecca
a touching journal hugs to you and beckys family x
What an awesome young lady...and your journal honors her and your friend Janice. Another child gone before they can accomplish more! Love to you my friend...Karen
How beautiful, Sarah, and how well-written....this is a wonderful tribute to a person who was obviously a very precious, knowing, person. Thanks for sharing this....lots of food for thought. My sympathies to her family.
Becky
God bless, Colleen
Your final quote is Mother Teresa\'s isn\'t it? It has always spoken to me so deeply. Oh, Sarah, such a celebration and tender time and you will be there for her mother in a way that very few can be. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt time and I\'m so very sorry for the loss of another bright light... big sigh. Much love, Joanie
Sarah, Ken and Becky are both so inspiring. I am sorry dear Becky\'s parents have to experience the loss of their precious daughter. Love and peace, Linda
Oh, my....sending love to all who are in the heart of your journal, and to you.....
She sounds like such a wonderful soul.
Hugs Penny
..... ahhh Sarah, not only the stars in your pocket, but may you also feel the lustrous stars in your heart, sparkling from your eyes, dancing upon the cheeks of your smile, glistening from the soles of your feet in every step of your path, shimmering all around your beautiful spirit ... for it is not only what i see, but also feel, of YOU!
Special love and prayers for Becky, Janice & Bill, all loved ones touched by the beautiful spirit of this young woman ... and for *victor* Ken Nye too.
Another bright light has dimmed on this planet. We must watch for her light shining down from the sky... Thank you, Sarah, for this beautiful tribute to another lovely child I\'ve never met but wish I could have. And also to your friend Ken, of the indomitable spirit, may he keep on writing and singing! Hugs, Cherie