Celebrating
#340 - Monday, September 16, 2024
Celebrating
Memorializing death
Acknowledging life
Existing physically
Loving living
Despite itching
Mosquitoes biting
Seems like a good time to get back to this… I enjoy it.
BTW, I shared the following on Facebook… Then I realized it was too important to leave at the mercy of the algorithm.
Today, I remember Alice's departure from this life. She died 20 years ago.
May we all leave a legacy of love, whatever that looks like in your life!
From Facebook post:
81 years ago, Alice Katz was born in New York City, New York. She died September 16, 2004 In Tarzana, California at 61 years old.
We remember her impact in our lives today. Here's what I wrote for her funeral. My one regret is I didn't verbalize this to her while she was alive. I'm trying to not make that mistake again. I'm much more expressive thanks to Alice.
From 2004:
"We are here today to celebrate the life of a great friend for all who knew her: Alice Katz.
I was lucky enough to meet Alice seven years ago through one of her many good friends, Marsha Berger. It was a difficult period in her life since her father had recently passed away and her mother was sick. I helped take care of her mother, and spent valuable time with her and her amazing family. This became an important and wonderful friendship for me and my family.
Becoming Alice’s friend was almost effortless. She had few requirements or expectations of you. She was by nature a giver, open and approachable. She treated everyone equally, without any regard to background -- cultural, ethnic, professional, or otherwise. Her interest was always in your humanity – in what made you unique as a person.
Alice was very aware of the diversity that existed around her. She welcomed and embraced it, both in her personal life, and in her work as a teacher. She made everyone around her feel comfortable, because she spoke the universal language of love and understanding.
She was also aware of the fact that the world was not as evolved as she was, and that prejudice still exists. She fought against it – actively and politically, but first and foremost, by setting an example – by being a woman of integrity. We all learned something from her, since she taught us as the best of teachers do: through her own example.
She has left us an impressive legacy of love to remember her by, which we can see today throughout this room. She will be dearly missed.
This is a poem I wrote in her honor:
To Alice:
You were so strong and full of grace
You touched our lives in many ways
You were to us a guiding light,
Throughout the storm of life
You shared your thoughts,
Your love, your home.
You were close by
When needed most
Through your example
We were taught
That life, is what we make of it
And how we choose to live in it
You gave so very much,
“Thank you” isn’t enough
You made a difference in our lives
It is too sad to say good-bye
You will be dearly missed,
As you were deeply loved."
Alice Natalie Katz holding my only son, Joshua Alexander Gomez-Santizo in Tarzana, California. This was the second time I lived in this home.
The first time I lived here was when I took care of Alice’s mom. And I’m now I live here as the second Mrs. Katz. Life has certainly been interesting around me!
Something interesting at the moment is I’m currently fundraising with a goal of reaching $2500 to support a friend’s dreams. We’re currently at $609. Can you support Laetitia with $10 or $20? Here’s the link if you’d like to donate or get more information. Thank you for still being here!