We will have a memorial service for Mara the weekend of November 17-18. By Tuesday or Wednesday, we hope to have the specifics including hotel recommendations and, hopefully, block rates for those who may need this. Mara's family will be at home at Carol and Gil's place Friday evening and Saturday evening, November 16 and 17, and invite you to stop in.
We are working on a concept for some sort of Mara Fund in which we hope all of you will play a part. It would incorporate the proposal of one of you for a Mara Volunteerism Day (March 29) and support the grass-roots work in development and democracy that Mara was so good at. It is our fervent wish to keep Mara's spirit alive and to maintain the influence she had. To us there would be no greater gift than for you to support this fund, rather than sending us flowers or other gifts.
Speaking of gifts and flowers, we are immensely grateful for everything that Mara received from so many corners of the world during the past months and weeks, just as we are touched today with the many condolences being sent our way. We express our deep gratitude to all of you and trust you will understand if we do not acknowledge each of your gifts separately.
We would also invite those who want to share as-yet-untold stories about Mara to put them on the blog. We will be making a document of Mara's blog, including your contributions, for her nieces, nephews and godchildren to know how wonderful she and her friends were. At the memorial service we will have a large bulletin board for those who would like to post pictures (dated with place and people identified) of or with Mara.
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It's Mara
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19 comments:
Good thinking!
Jonathan and I are planning to be there.
Hugs to all,love Ems
Great idea, the Mara Fund idea!
And we'll all attend, spiritually, the ceremonial service.
Well before that date I'll send pictures and, if possible, an MP3 recording of Mara's voice, speaking fluent Bulgarian.
Hugs to you all, I love you.
Zlatna
I love the idea of the Mara fund. Nick and I will be at the ceremony.
Again thank you to everyone in the family who has included us in the journey.
It is a beautiful day in Portland - Mara would love it.
Nick and Anna
Hi Carol, David, and Gil,
Istanbul mourns the passing of Mara into death. I took a walk this morning, just looking at the trees and sky, and thought of the power of her soul, and the sadness of knowing I would never see her again. But we are so glad to know she is no longer in pain, and that she is one more powerful presence in our collective universe, so let that be, and let her universal strength flow amongst us all. We will not be able to attend her memorial, but we feel blessed to have been able to be so close over the last few weeks. Basiniza sagolsun, peace to you all during this time of pain and endurance,
Love from us all,
Julia, Carmelo Kagan, Ronaldo Atilla, Savas
Dear Carol and Gil, We are Aimee Brelsow's parents, and we only met Mara a few times, and you once down at your home in D.C. However, I feel as if we knew Mara better than that through Aimee's eyes. Mara was truly a beatiful person inside an out. Aimee spoke so highly of her throughout the years,and we are all in shock due to your sudden loss. I can't even imagine the pain you must feel, and I know there are no words that can of comfort right now. We want to you to know that our thoughts are with you at this time. Harriet and Jerry Breslow
Dear Mara's wonderful, loving family and wonderful, loving David,
And you all are. The amazing, incredible, life-loving, beacon of brilliant light that is Mara came from you all. Everyone on this blog will be forever grateful to you for that.
I won't even attempt to name your pain. Know that as a parent and partner to a spouse in ill health, I am aching, and thinking of you all with every ounce of empathy and spirit I can muster.
As has happened to me all this last week, I clicked onto the blog yesterday almost immediately after the last update had been posted - in this case, the "Goodbye" post. I could write nothing. I spent yesterday afternoon and evening raising a glass (okay, several) of expensive, indescribably rich, red wine to Mara, and quietly contemplating her. I cried a bit, but I was not overwhelmed. Mara's memory deserved more than my falling apart.
Here then, is my Mara story. Mara's family - it will be a repeat of one I sent off to you all in a condolence card. But this is for everyone on the blog, too.
I know Mara as a colleague from Mercy Corps, and saw her recover from breast cancer with unbelievable strength and grace. So I was very happy for her when she announced, after many years of exceptional work for our organization, that she was moving to DC to work for (I think?) USAID (or one of those guv'mint agencies, at any rate).
I stopped by her cubey to congratulate her on her upcoming relocation, and we started chatting about the differences between living on the east and west coasts (I'm a transplanted New Englander, by way of Brooklyn, NY). One of the major differences we'd both noticed here in Portland was that there was a huge dearth of decent single men over the age of 25. We both agreed that getting out of this dry town was the best move Mara could ever make to improve her love life.
I lost touch with Mara after the DC move, so I don't know how everything worked out for her career-wise, although from everything else I've read on this blog, it sounds like it was just fine.
But as we also all know, leaving Portland was clearly the best possible move she could ever have made man-wise - dear David. From what I've read (and seen) of you on this blog, you would have been worth several relocations.
I'm far from an observant Jew, but I find Judaic mourning rituals comforting. I will say kaddish for Mara whenever I am in shul, and light a yartzeit candle next year in her memory.
And I also love the idea of a Mara fund. Please let us all know when we can contribute to it.
Love,
Lisa Kenn
Dear Mara's Family,
Not wanting to be an interloper, my words feel incredibly minute. I've never met Mara in person, but I find myself thinking of her, embracing her love of life and joys and possibilities; thinking of the Chicken Noodle soup, memorizing the colors and pattern of her favorite scarf and the tears fall. I know Mara through her dear sister, Elise, who is a friend in Stockholm. Through Elise, Mara.
Feeling ,again, minute in my words to you, her incredible family, but I want you to know that she has touched me that I am greater for this.
Wishing all of you in this wonderful, giving family and family of friends, strength and love.
We send ours,
Gina Vide (and Staffan)
You all have been in our hearts and prayers as we sadly followed Mara's journey, but we were also uplifted by reading the comments of the multitude of people in the world that knew Mara as a very good friend, life mentor, and world teacher. Mara has made and will continue to make a positive mark and difference in the world and in the lives of her many friends and family who have learned so much from her.
Mara, be at peace and rest.
We know your loss is great. We will continue to hold Mara and all of you in our thoughts and hearts in the days weeks and months ahead.
We look forward to being together for the memorial service.
Dear Carol, Gil, David, Dave and the rest of you gathered together. I know your sorrow is great. All of us who knew Mara are grieving her loss and I promise we will never forget her. Being together at her Memorial Service will bring great comfort to all of us. David, I will look forward to meeting you. As I said in a previous blog, thank you for loving Mara unconditionally.
Mike, Chris, and Cindi join me in expressing this deep sorrow we all feel.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there.
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of birds circling in flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there.
I do not sleep.
Dear Mara's family & David,
I feel privileged to have known and worked with Mara this last year. She was a special person that touched the lives of all those she knew through her remarkable courage and will of life.
Dear Mara, God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Seta.
Dear Mara's Family, We will be at the ceremony in spirit from Amman. I wanted to share with you something that happened yesterday morning, on the way to school. I dropped my husband Matt off at the embassy and the kids and I stopped at a light. All around us were the candidate signs for the upcoming election. We had told the kids about Mara's passing at breakfast. Radhika (7) asked when the election was, and Rhys (6) asked again why elections were so important. I told them that Mara was helping Jordan learn about democracy, and we had a little discussion about that. Radhika sighed, and said that she was worried that they would never learn about democracy now, because Mara wasn't here to teach them. I told them that someone else would come, but that we had to help them, and try to tell people about democracy ourselves, just like Miss Mara did. Rhys looked out the window and then said excitedly that if he thought about Miss Mara, that would help him remember about democracy. Then the conversation turned to other matters.
We love the idea of a Mara fund, and would love to contribute. Just let us know.
With you all in thought and in love, JMRR
PS, David, responding to your email to Matt, you rock, brother-boy. La shuker ala wajeb. She was a great lady, and you are a great friend.
Dear Carol, David, Gill, David, Elise & Joachim.
I wish there was something, anything, that I could say that would be of some value to you today. Sadly, I can't offer anything.
I knew Mara as well as I've ever known anyone and she was beautiful.
Peace to all of you.
Charlie Lamson
The Mara Fund is a great idea. If, in due course, you need any help setting this up or have questions about legal issues, feel free to call (202-452-8600). Mara was a good friend, and I'd pleased to help in any way you'd like.
I'm sorry I'll miss the memorial service. I'll be in Mali, but I'll be with you in spirit.
Doug
To all,
My name is Justin Freer and I've just learned of everything. I am blown away...
I have not been in touch with Mara since the day we were in High School together 20 years ago.
Ironically last week I (I'm also helping to plan our 20th HS reunion this month) was wondering how to track her down for an invite.
My Mara story goes back farther though, the 6th grade to be exact. I must say, her path for greatness has always been there. Always.
So- my parents divorce and I move to Chevy Chase DC from Juneau Alaska, and am enrolled for the 6th grade at Lafayette Elementary. Not being familiar with anything on this side of the country, 6th grade orientation was apparently all I needed. I met Mara then, she was helping the faculty with orientation. We were classmates and friends.
She was facinated at meeting someone from Alaska, and avoided making fun of that fact others so eaily did. I had her convinced that polar bears were good pets until she researched, and privately proved me a joker. After singing "You light up my life" at graduation, back to Alaska I went for the 7th grade.
I moved back to the DC area and was enrolled at Cabin John Junior High for the 8th grade. A familiar face was helping the faculty orientation, but I could'nt put my finger on who she was. Mara remembered me, and the "new kid" nerves subsided.
We stayed friends through high school, and thats it.
I dont know what else to say, other than Mara made a new kid from Alaska feel normal and accepted when he felt just the opposite-twice.
I did tell her that and thanked her just before we graduated; but thought all of you should know as well.
Rest in peace Mara
Justin Freer
For Mara's nieces and nephews and godchildren:
Who was Mara? Mara was someone who
· embraced the world and tirelessly tried to make it a better place each and every day
· loved travel and greatly enjoyed international cuisine
· had an infectious laugh
· could make people feel so comfortable that they'd tell her their deep dark secrets the first or second time they met her
· had an uncanny ability to learn any language she wanted
· often wore a pair of silver teardrop earrings
· thrived in foreign environments
· loved doing the NYT crossword puzzle
· inspired people she worked with
· was able to think outside the box
· talked openly about her cancer and didn’t hide its ugly side
· was very bright and had a high emotional IQ
· was a great story teller
· never looked back
· offered great advice
· gave you her full attention even when she was short on time
· was incredibly charismatic
For Mara’s family:
My thoughts are with you during this very tough time. Know that Mara touched more people in her rather short stay on this earth than many of us do in a lifetime. She left a lasting impact on each and every community she lived in and on all of her friends and colleagues. Her spirit and energy will be with me forever.
For David:
I’m so glad you and Mara found each other during her last few years. She was always seeking a partner who would love her unconditionally, share her hopes and dreams, travel with her to the far corners of the earth, and support her when life became trying. Thank you for holding her hand when we could not and thank you for logging on each night to give us a detailed update. I look forward to meeting you at the memorial service.
For all of us:
A quote from Loren Eiseley -- The journey is difficult, immense, and at times impossible, yet, that will not deter some of us from attempting it. We have joined the caravan you might say, at a certain point, we will travel as far as we can, but we cannot in one lifetime see all that we would like to see, or learn all we hunger to know.
Julie Smith (who first met Mara on the Bosch program in 1996 and last saw her in August at my wedding)
Dear Mara's wonderful family,
I am so moved by this blog and so deeply saddened by the news in this latest entry. Charlie (Lamson), thank you for letting me know about this blog, which has enriched me and my life just as Mara did back in our Peace Corps days. I was in her Bulgaria 1 group of volunteers. We all were so amazed and impressed by Mara's language ability and her immediate integration with the people and culture. At the end of our two years, Mara and I stayed on to help with the Peace Corps training. We roomed together. I will never forget one night when I was feeling ill with a terrible stomach flu. Mara came in and sat on the edge of my bed and gently stroked the inside of my forearm. She said that always made her feel better when she wasn't feeling well. I was truly touched by that gentle and intimate expression of kindness and care and I will never forget it. We didn't stay in touch after Peace Corps, but a few years ago, we stumbled across each other through a mutual acquaintance and exchanged some e-mail messages about our lives: we discussed our careers, marriages, and the possibility of kids. It was nice to be in touch, and we agreed to keep each other updated just in case our globe-trotting paths ever crossed again. I am sorry that I logged on to this blog too late (just today) to send my encouragement, love and support to Mara. Her bravery and spirit are incredible! I was devastated to log on to this news. My heart is heavy as I write; my blessing and thoughts are with all of you. Thank you for sharing this incredible journey.
Ann, PC Bulgaria
I am Kina from Bulgaria.Mara's Bulgarian Mother.Mara was my sun, my window to the world.I loved her,and i still love her very much,like my own daughter.She shined in light,warmth,and nobilityShe was like the fairy- everything she touched,everything she did - it just shined!It is really difficult to meet a person like her-the woman,who dedicated herself to the other people and was always ready to help them!
Mara started her work experience in Bulgaria,as an English teacher by the Peqce Corps:When i waited for the new English teacher i expected a serious old lady dressed in conservative white-collar shirt.And i was so surprised when i saw a sweet girl dressed in shorts,t-shirt and a rucksack.I loved her from the very first momentwhen i saw her.And everyone who knew her,loved her very much.And despite the fact that she had tremendous pontentialities,despite the fact that everyone said that she was too good to be true,she behaved in so natural and wonderful way with the others!I know and love Mara's whole wonderful family Carol,Gil,Daddy David,Elise,David.They are like her!
Later,when she worked in the USA she continued to help Bulgaria.I was sure that every single positive thing that happened to our country is from her!We met every time when she came to Bulgaria .Mara was a cosmopolitan person .She lived in a world without boundaries.She wasn't living.She was sparkling.And she burned in this sparkle,in this flame to shine forever.
To me,Mara will always remain alive,smiley,charming,noble.
Although i can't get used to the fact that physically she is not here, i believe that there in the Heaven she will be the most brilliant star,and will continue spreading light and warmth.
I offer my sincere condoleces to Carol,Gil,Daddy David,Elise and Davis.It is true that the words are inadequate, to make comfort you!I am mourning with you for my girl MARA!
Love:Kina Markova - Bulgaria
I only had the chance to work briefly with Mara at USAID in Washington, DC (before she left to work in Amman).
One day we agreed to meet and chat about career paths. I went to her cubicle, which was an oasis in an otherwise almost souless building. Mara offered tea, and I was surprised when she opened up a cabinet and had a selection to choose from. She heated the water in her coffee maker, and even had cream in her mini refridgerater. She had a zen garden on her desk, and a foot massager next to her chair. The walls of her cubicle were covered with beautiful fabric and pictures from around the world. She and her work space emanated calm, serenity, zen. I commented on how she had managed to create such a fantastic atmosphere, and she said "you spend so much of your life at work, you might as well make it enjoyable."
After reading this entire blog over the past few hours, I think this philosophy is one she exemplified even in the most difficult moments. You might as well make life as enjoyable as you can, despite the environment or circumstances. Mara is an inspiration to live life to its fullest in each and every moment.
I wish I could have known Mara better, but even with only knowing her a little, I agree with all the posted comments that she has touched my life, and for the better.
My condolences to Mara's family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and all her many aquaintences around the world.
Elizabeth Roen
Tribute to Mara
Somewhere in this selfsame city
Of monuments and majesty
In a still and quite spot too small to hold her heart
Lies the body that once belonged to Mara Galaty
You may take it now.
She doesn’t need it anymore.
Handle it reverently
In honor of the love it bore.
Lay it down gently
In honor of the battles it waged.
And send it off gladly
In honor of the joys it beheld.
But take it all the same.
Mara doesn’t need it now.
She has gone to Jerusalem
So close to Aram where words first failed her
And Jordan whose dust still clings to her shoes.
You need not look for her in the many places she traveled
You will find her in the gentle breeze that musses
your hair
In the delighted laughter of a young child at play
And in the warm smile of the stranger you pass.
As you go forward, follow your own path.
But whenever you remember, take a step in Mara’s direction.
Your walk will be the richer for it
And Mara’s spirit will continue to bless the Earth.
(Goodbye, dear Mara, from a sister in the journey through cancer)
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