Life and Death

“There is only one of you for all time.  Fearlessly be yourself.”
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This week has brought news of two deaths.  One young. One old.  Both leaving their mark for living fearlessly true to themselves.
 
The first: Aselefesh Darge, better known as “Emaye” or Grandma.  A beautiful woman. In touch with the rhythm of life.  I remember her fiesty spirit two years ago, at 96 years old: body bent from time and blindness, yet dancing and singing in her house.  I am grateful to Emaye’s granddaughter, Beline Wolde, for inviting me to Ethiopia, allowing me the opportunity to meet Emaye; Grandma’s house was our homebase in Addis Ababa during the two months I was there.   Emaye spent time in prayer each day, offering up the intention that she die on a Friday, like Jesus, and on the day of Emanuel (the 28th of the month).  Last Friday, at 98 years old, Emaye died on the 28th day of the month according to the Ethiopian calendar.  Her family and friends grieve her departure, from Seattle to Addis Ababa, but there is something remarkable about the intention surrounding her death.  Amaye, you are an inspiration.  I pray that I will still be singing and dancing at 98!
 

"Kev and Pockets"

The second: Kevin S. Belle Jr, better known (to me) as “Kev”.  A generous man.  Had a heart for animals.  I remember the day he brought “Pockets” to work–a young squirrel he was caring for.  Pockets became the New York Restoration Project’s pet for a few months, roaming around the education office at its leisure; no cage, but curiously peering into the cages of Kev’s animal collection that filled one wall of the office…snakes, cockroaches, turtles, scorpions, a lizard called “Governor” (Gov’na), just to name a few.  Pockets could often be found in Kev’s sweatshirt pocket, and even came out to my crew’s garden opening in Harlem with Bette Midler.  Bette opted to hold Kev’s turtle for the group picture, and took a liking to it.  Kev was known for both his way with animals and for his generous spirit.  He was a mentor and role model for many youth throughout NYC.  On May 10th, at 24 years old, Kev died from asthma-related complications while living in NYC.  A bittersweet reality–Kev leaves behind his girlfriend and their unborn child.   Friends and family will be celebrating his life and mourning his death this weekend in the Bronx.  Kev, it was an honor to work with you.  You are deeply missed.

In the midst of these deaths, I recieved news of two babies…Mariah (Hill) and Nick Lofing (good friends from Seattle U) welcomed their first child, Peter Emanuel, into the world on May 6th.  Such a cutie!  And lifelong friend Michael Woods and his wife Jamie are expecting baby Ella Marie to be born any day now!!   Happiness IS.
 
The juxtaposition of life and death is prominent in humanitarian relief work.  Tomorrow morning I head into the Rocky Mountains for a four-day camping trip (and final-exam) for my “Humanitarian Assitance: Field Protocol and Survival” course.  The trip is designed to be a simulation of an actual humanitarian relief camp in a (simulated) hostile territory.  Our professor has extensive experience working in real humanitarian relief camps in East Timor and Ethiopia.  We will be graded on six field excercises throughout the weekend, including successfully moving our 8 vehicle convoy from Denver to the campsite in the Rocky Mountains (without GPS! and without getting lost); performing a search and rescue for lost aircraft; performing a search for lost humanitarian camp workers; rescuing two injured refugees by making our own stretchers out of trees and tarps (and I’m bringing duct tape, McGyver style!); and setting up a proposed “refugee camp” for 150 refugees.  At some point during the weekend, our humanitarian camp will be attacked by “insurgents.”  We don’t know when this will take place, but have prepared an appropriate security protocol.  The first week of class I was nominated and elected by my classmates to be Camp Commander of this humanitarian relief simulation, due in part to my wildland firefighting and US Forest Service experience.  I know how to navigate the woods and what to do if we see bears or mountain lions, but dealing with “insurgents” is going to be a challenge!    Wish me luck!
 
Blessings to all of you.
 
Hana T.

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