---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:22:59 -0400
From: The Scarlet Wombat <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Blind exchange and discussion <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Supernova

A supernova erupts suddenly, is brilliant for a short time and is gone, but
the effects linger for billions of years as the elements released in the
explosion fan out over the light years to fuel the formation of planets,
trees and sentient beings.

Lisa Carmelle was a supernova in human terms.  Her brilliant life ended
this afternoon at 5:25, but the effects of her life and the ripples it
caused among all who knew her will persist for a very, very long time.  She
was truly a supernova.

There are few words adequate to describe the loss, in personal terms for
those of us who were close friends or in general terms to the blindness
community and the larger community of thinking individuals who could see
through the baloney of the prevalent culture.

Lisa persisted in situations that have daunted many and even rendered not a
few incoherent.  She had a blisteringly accurate sense of justice and a
sense of humor that could make Gibraltar chuckle.

Life tried to happen to Lisa, but she refused to tolerate such and happened
to life to the end.  She will be missed, but that seems a paltry epitaph
for such a luminary.  She will be mourned, but mourning does her no good
and really doesn't help us much, either.  Better than missing her or
mourning her, we can be as fervent in our dedication to justice as she was,
as willing to help others as she was and as ready to laugh as she was.

Lisa was born in 1944 and had turned 63 just last August.  Not enough
years, but well used years, nevertheless.

If one believes in an afterlife as I do for both humans and animals, then
Lisa will be met by several dog guides who will be ecstatic to see her.  I
only knew of Pine and Dimitri, but there were others.

The ancient Druids had a three fold blessing for the departed.

May the Nature spirits grant her a good journey home
May the Ancestors grant her a joyous and energetic welcome
May the High Ones grant her rest and the best rebirth

Dan