“Remember who you are and what you stand for.”
~Sara Gardner
I met Sara for the first time yesterday at the celebration of her funeral Mass. Of course she wasn’t there, at least not in the form her family and friends are missing so much right now. But she was there. I met her in her favorite bible passage - come to me all who are weary - and in the tears of Julie Emry, a professional newscaster rendered momentarily speechless by love and loss, and in the beautiful love story told with such grace and gratitude by her husband, Charlie.
Sometimes the best way to meet someone is through an introduction. Sara was introduced to me yesterday, not once, but twice, as someone who never had a bad thing to say about anyone else. I didn’t hear, “Sara hardly ever spoke ill of someone,” or “Sara made it a point to look for the good in others”. What I heard was, Sara never put another person down. Oh, she was able to laugh at their antics, but somehow she had the gift of seeing through the posturing and facade of other people’s anger and arrogance to laugh about that silly child inside. She didn’t laugh at them. She laughed as if to say, “Aren’t you funny, now stop pretending and be that great little boy or girl I know you really are.”
I’m using the power of my imagination, but I’m willing to bet I’m not too far off the mark. How could a room filled with such love and laughter and tears be inspired by anyone less remarkable? I know when I attend a funeral, and being a pianist I’ve probably been to more than my fair share, and come away hoping I can live my life as consciously as that person did, I’ve been in the presence of grace. Sara is only the second person whose life has impacted me this way even after death. The other funeral service was a story-telling circle, punctuated with some of the favorite songs of the person being celebrated, Mary. One person after another came forward spontaneously with a story about Mary and how her love and generosity changed his or her life. A woman in her thirties knew Mary only for the space of a few weeks, when Mary found out she was short of tuition money for college and made sure she would go anyway. Not only did she supply money, but, what is most remembered, is the gift of a card with some of Mary’s favorite motivational sayings and a note for that young student to remember always who she really is and believe in that. The money, of course, is long gone, but twenty years later, that card is in a prominent place in this woman’s home and in her heart.
Ms. Emry spoke yesterday of Sara letting a plumber into her (Ms. Emry’s) house and within the first twenty minutes knowing that the man had suffered a misfortune that kept him from working for nine months, and that this was one of his very first jobs as he began to reclaim his life. She went on to say that she wasn’t surprised Sara could get all this information out of a plumber in short order - she couldn’t think of a single thing you wouldn’t feel comfortable telling Sara.
What is the gift that Sara and Mary brought to life that shone so brightly it has the power to light lives with love, courage and hope long after their earthly presence has moved on to new pursuits? I was struck yesterday by Sara’s words, “Remember who you are…” So similar to Mary’s remark to the young college student. Remember. And Mary’s addition of the word really, just in case you get confused and start thinking you’re what somebody else wants you to be. I believe these beautiful spirits must have known who they really were. Gifts of love and light and laughter in the lives of all who knew them. Women who were so present to others they knew when a plumber was struggling, when a young girl was hurting - so in tune to others they simply allowed love to shine right through them and out into the world. I’ve been to many funeral services that catalogued the achievements of the deceased. I’ve heard about presidential awards, Medals of Honor, beauty pageant trophies, Olympic honors, and more. To tell you the truth, I don’t remember the names of any of those people, although I’m sure their lives were valuable and they are greatly missed. Perhaps it’s because of all those achievements it’s as Jesus said. “…and the greatest of these is love.” Sara and Mary taught us how to love, and they still are. Perhaps the two of them are talking up there in heaven, sharing a laugh over the silliness of all of us still stuck down here. I hope so, because I know if those two join forces, we on earth can’t help but be blessed. Sara, I never really met you, until yesterday, but I’m so glad I did. You’ve made a difference in my life, and I thank you. ~ Linda Firth (c) 2003, 2007
Thank you for visiting this page. Quote of the Day may not be written daily, but it will be written thoughtfully, and updated frequently. If you would like to receive new editions of Quote of the Day by email, please use the form on the Contact page and request to be added to the Quote of the Day subscriber list.
Click here to view archived quotes
CONTACT LINDA
503.686.0116
37 SW Jefferson
Portland, Oregon 97201
Located in Downtown Portland
Street parking & Smart Park
Bus stops at SW 1st & Jefferson
Resources
©Linda Firth 2009