Andrea asked me to post a few more talks from Tuesday night. I hope you're not tired of watching these yet--I've watched them several times myself. The first is from Linda's "Kairos buddy" and fellow Badin teacher Sue Niehaus. The second is from our friends from Montreal, JD, Greg and Berta, who flew down to come to the funeral. We know them because the company I work for used to be part of their company---almost five years ago. Just another testament to how quickly Linda made friends, and how deep those friendships were. I still have to post the eulogies from Tony and Andrea, and I plan to put up the collages we showed at the visitation as well.
Luv ya, Jim
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3 comments:
Jim, Tony, and Andrea,
I found out Tuesday night at these testimonies some of what Linda did in her life. She was so humble that she didn't boast about any of it or the good that she did with doing for others. That is just what she lived, doing for others. Only the people in that group that she helped knew what she did for that group. The other groups didn't have a clue what else she was doing. She gave of her time, talent, and treasure so immensely for everyoe else.
Thank you Linda. I love you too.
Mary Anne
Jim, Andrea, Tony,
having returned at this moment from a holiday without internet connection, we checked the voice mail and heard from your voice, Jim, what had happened, even though we didn't understand the words at once.
It's in the middle of the night in Germany, but we've gone through all the messages and videos presented in the blog.
I can't find words of comfort, Jim, the loss is so immense for you and your kin, but the videos made me laugh in tears, I hope you get that right.
The way you did it, was a good way to say good bye and it showed something I have always connected with Linda: she moved others and the movement went further and further, the people touched by her carried on the movement to ends she would never have foreseen.
If you don't mind, I'll add the story of how we became friends to the other memories first thing tomorrow morning. As well as try to call you.
Love christa, Klaus
Dear Jim, Andrea, Tony,
remembering Linda has many implications and I try not to let them be overclouded too much by her heart-wrenching, faint voice on the phone recently. The voice was the only tell tale of her sufferings. Otherwise she played it down, even apologized for not having stayed in touch as "... it hasn't been the best of years for me, you know."
I go back through the past: long Emails twice a year, mostly around Christmas, our last meeting at Frankfurt airport some years ago, the two families spending a short vacation together on the Oregon coast in the early nineties.
Finally, on my journey back I reach summer 1976, an extremely hot summer. Lexington Catholic High School, teacher's room, lunch break.
Teachers are drinking, eating, asking me very polite questions. (I'm new in town, just offering some German lessons for the year, my husband works as a post-doc for the UK.) And I'm 6 months pregnant.
Linda is sitting opposite, observing me and my awkward maternity clothes.
Those who know Linda, will know exactly what I mean, when I say that you can perceive a smile or a laugh on Linda's face much earlier than it actually appears.
It softly starts to build up around her eyes, kind thoughts find their way out to the tiny wrinkles, deepen them, until finally - the big smile breaks like a wave.
It happened exactly that way, accompanied by the words "Would you like to have my maternity shorts?"
That's how she won my heart at one blow. Not to mention, that later she arranged a baby-shower for me at school, not to mention the invitations and get-togethers, that made us feel at home abroad.
And not to mention, that she was the one I confided in at that early time, when I needed the mystery solved, why American women had no "hair on their legs".
I pride myself on introducing this "fashion" on returning to our small village in Germany.
All joking aside - I feel Linda's impact and will in the future. I'm happy to hear about Linda's life. Please, tell me.
Christa & Klaus
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