This past weekend family and friends spent several days together in Oakland California celebrating the life of my dear, beautiful cousin Nancy. I can’t begin to express my gratitude to Nancy’s two daughters Mariko and Miyoshi for the thought,detail and great love they placed in planning every aspect of this event honoring their mom’s life. I want to acknowledge and thank Yang dearest friend to Nancy and her daughters who opened her restaurant “The Wolf” located in the Piedmont area for this day. This was probably the biggest family and friends reunion we’ve had in decades. We definitely felt Nancy’s spirit. She was always wanting a party, especially a family gathering and this was a giant one. You could feel Nancy saying “Yes I see you. This is exactly what I wanted!” There was a room dedicated to Nancy’s art and the air was filled with music ( a playlist of her favorite songs). Thank you Steve, for all the beautiful music! Garlands of photographs of all the people and stages in her life hung in every room). Her daughters said take any photographs you want. Also a table of unframed art work prints, cards, creative objects Nancy had made for guests to take as momentos. Many beautiful flower arrangements friends sent or made. The kleenex boxes were covered with copies of Nancy’s art work. People from all stages of Nancy’s life attended. Friends from the long ago Oakland mother’s group Nancy was part of when her daughters were little, writers from her writing group in the Bay Area, musician friends. Family and friends arrived from New York, Vermont, Idaho, Florida,Texas and furthest away Mette who arrived from Denmark a day before the event. Mette is a family friend who when she was 19 yrs old arrived to help Nancy for 6 months with her very young daughters. There were heartfelt tributes,memories shared, poems read, songs sung. It was the most touching and loving tribute to a deeply magical, creative soul. It was a perfect way to honor Nancy and a wonderful way to send her off to her next magical adventure. We will miss your laugh and your joyful presence in our lives dearest Nancy.
The Venue:
The food:
Nancy's Wedding album and Baby book
Nancy's favorite songs:
"Now the beams are apparent
radiant above the world...
traveling on, in view of all,
creator of lights are you, o sun,
shining through all ethereal space..."
"One moment when the dust to-day
Against my face was turned to spray,
I dreamed the winter dream again
I dreamed when I was young at play,
Yet strangely not more sad than then--
Nothing new--
though I am further upon my way
The same dream again."
-Robert Frost "Nothing new"
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